SYSTEM NAME:

Master Cadet Personnel Record (Active/Historical)  (May 07, 1999,  64 FR 24611)

SYSTEM LOCATION:

United States Air Force Academy, Dean of the Faculty Examinations and Records, HQ USAFA/DFRR, 2354 Fairchild Drive, Suite 6D106, United States Air Force Academy, CO 80840-6210.

CATEGORIES OF INDIVIDUALS COVERED BY THE SYSTEM:

Present and former United States Air Force (USAF) Academy cadets.

CATEGORIES OF RECORDS IN THE SYSTEM:

(1) Active: Records used in the candidate selection process for the USAF Academy include high school records and college transcripts, College Entrance Examinations Board test scores; admission test scores; personnel data records; personal data to include address; telephone number; Social Security Number; population or ethnic group selections; height; weight; citizenship; statements of reasons for attending the Academy and preparatory school and college records, if applicable; invitation to travel letter; transfer/validation credit information; computer generated products containing academic grade information; parental addresses by state roster and verification of independent studies; computer listings of minority students by population or ethnic group; listings of international cadets; special order assigning cadets to the Cadet Wing; Cadet wing, squadron, and class alpha rosters, and matriculation rosters.

(2) Historical: Selected special orders (appointment, assignment, awards, separation, etc.); letters and records of resignation/separation actions, (if applicable); College Entrance Examination Board test scores; personnel data records, and biographical data; computer generated products reflecting academic grade information; grade and quality point averages; course grade distributions; overall military and academic orders of merit; graduation data; majors awarded; types of degrees conferred; and academic and military honors.

AUTHORITY FOR MAINTENANCE OF THE SYSTEM:

10 U.S.C. 9331, Establishment; superintendent; faculty, and E.O. 9397 (SSN).

PURPOSE(S):

(1) Active: These records form the nucleus of the Master Cadet Personnel Record for candidates selected to attend the Academy. These records are used to record the academic, athletic and military training histories of cadets who attend the Academy. They provide a means of checking the performance of each cadet, recording all grades for completed courses, computing grade point averages, identifying deficiencies, and insuring all requirements for graduation are met. Grade information is used by cadets, Academy instructors, counselors, and advisors in selecting majors, determining academic requirements for specific majors, and scheduling courses. Computer listings are also used by faculty and staff members to readily identify cadets by squadron, class, and population or ethnic group. Academic Review Committees and the Academy Board use these records to evaluate cadet performance and to determine eligibility for continuance at the Academy.

(2) Historical: These records form a complete history of each cadet who attended the Academy. They record academic, athletic, and military performance of each cadet and to coordinate statistics relating to cadet strength and attrition. Files are reviewed by organizations within the Department of Defense to determine qualifications for assignments; by Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps (AFROTC), recruiting and medical services units to determine qualifications and eligibility for training programs and for military service, and by the Air Force Personnel Center (AFPC) to confirm or recreate a military service record.

ROUTINE USES OF RECORDS MAINTAINED IN THE SYSTEM, INCLUDING CATEGORIES OF USERS AND THE PURPOSES OF SUCH USES:

In addition to those disclosures generally permitted under 5 U.S.C. 552a(b) of the Privacy Act, these records or information contained therein may specifically be disclosed outside the DoD as a routine use pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 552a(b)(3) as follows:

Files are disclosed to the Federal Bureau of Investigation for conducting background investigations for security clearances, and to the Department of Veterans Affairs for determining eligibility for benefits.

Academic and personnel information is released to nominating officials, and to the Western Athletic Conference (WAC) officials on cadets participating in WAC-sponsored intercollegiate athletics.

The DoD 'Blanket Routine Uses' published at the beginning of the Air Force's compilation of systems of records notices apply to this system.

POLICIES AND PRACTICES FOR STORING, RETRIEVING, ACCESSING, RETAINING, AND DISPOSING OF RECORDS IN THE SYSTEM:

STORAGE:

Maintained in file folders, in computers, on computer output products, and on microfilm.

RETRIEVABILITY:

Retrieved by name and Social Security Number.

SAFEGUARDS:

Records are accessed by custodian of the record system, by person(s) responsible for servicing the record system in performance of their official duties, who are properly screened and cleared for need-to-know. Records are stored in locked file containers, cabinets, vaults or rooms, and in computerized data storage devices controlled by computer system software.

RETENTION AND DISPOSAL:

Temporary documents are destroyed 90 days after disenrollment or graduation. Permanent documents are microfilmed one year after graduation. The microfilm is retained permanently in the office of the Registrar. Paper copy is destroyed after 6 years. Records are destroyed by tearing into pieces, shredding, pulping, macerating, or burning. Computer records are destroyed by degaussing or overwriting.

SYSTEM MANAGER(S) AND ADDRESS:

Office of the Registrar, Dean of the Faculty Examinations and Records, HQ USAFA/DFRR, 2354 Fairchild Drive, Suite 6D106, United States Air Force Academy, CO 80840-6210.

NOTIFICATION PROCEDURE:

Individuals seeking to determine whether this system of records contains information about themselves should address written inquiries to the Dean of the Faculty Examinations and Records, HQ USAF/DFRR, 2354 Fairchild Drive, Suite 6D106, United States Air Force Academy, CO 80840-6210.

RECORD ACCESS PROCEDURES:

Individuals seeking to access records about themselves contained in this system should address written requests to the Dean of the Faculty Examinations and Records, HQ USAF/DFRR, 2354 Fairchild Drive, Suite 6D106, United States Air Force Academy, CO 80840-6210.

CONTESTING RECORD PROCEDURES:

The Air Force rules for accessing records, and for contesting contents and appealing initial agency determinations are published in Air Force Instruction 37-132; 32 CFR part 806b; or may be obtained from the system manager.

RECORD SOURCE CATEGORIES:

Information is obtained from forms the individual fills out during the admissions process; other educational institutions; College Entrance Examination Board and American College Testing scores; Air Force medical examination; individual and personnel records; grades; tests; examinations given at the Academy; high school and college transcripts, and from actions taken by the Academy Board.

EXEMPTIONS CLAIMED FOR THE SYSTEM:

Evaluation material used to determine potential for promotion in the Military Services may be exempt pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 552a(k)(7), but only to the extent that the disclosure of such material would reveal the identity of a confidential source.

An exemption rule for this record system has been promulgated in accordance with the requirements of 5 U.S.C. 553(b) (1), (2), and (3), (c) and (e) and published in 32 CFR part 806b. For additional information contact the system manager.

FEDERAL REGISTER HISTORY: