Retention and Preservation of Documents Concerning the Haditha-Hamdania Incidents
This MARADMIN directs all Marine Corps commanders to retain and preserve all documents and emails related to the Haditha and Hamdania incidents, including their planning, execution, and reporting. Due to anticipated Congressional hearings and media interest, commands must notify CMC (PAM) and CMC (JAD) of any document requests, and all documents must be cleared through the Staff Judge Advocate to CMC before production.
Issued: July 6, 2006
1. THE ALLEGED EVENTS AT HADITHA AND HAMDANIA HAVE GENERATED INTENSE INTEREST BOTH IN THE MEDIA AND CONGRESS. WE CAN REASONABLY ANTICIPATE THAT CONGRESS WILL HOLD HEARINGS REGARDING THOSE EVENTS AND WILL REQUEST THE PRODUCTION OF RECORDS THAT PERTAIN TO THEM. 2. ALL COMMANDERS SHALL TAKE APPROPRIATE MEASURES TO RETAIN AND PRESERVE DOCUMENTS AND E-MAILS RELATED TO THESE INCIDENTS, THEIR PLANNING, EXECUTION AND SUBSEQUENT REPORTING AND ANY DOCUMENTS REFERRING TO ANY ASPECT OF THEM. 3. IF HQMC RECEIVES SUCH A PRODUCTION REQUEST, DOCUMENTS WILL BE CLEARED THROUGH THE SJA TO CMC PRIOR TO PRODUCTION. THE SJA TO CMC HAS CREATED A REVIEW PROCESS TO ENSURE APPROPRIATE PRIVILEGES ARE PROTECTED, AND THAT RESPONSIVE INFORMATION IS RELEASED WITHOUT HARM TO THE MILITARY JUSTICE PROCESS. 4. COMMANDS RECEIVING REQUESTS FROM MEDIA ORGANIZATIONS FOR DOCUMENTS RELATED TO HADITHA OR HAMDANIA SHALL NOTIFY CMC (PAM). IN ADDITION, COMMANDS RECEIVING ANY REQUESTS FOR DOCUMENTS RELATING TO THESE EVENTS (TO INCLUDE MEDIA AND FOIA REQUESTS) SHALL NOTIFY CMC (JAD).