Department  of  Defense 
DIRECTIVE 
December  31,    1984 
NUMBER   5230.11 
mtmrnmrnmrna 
USD(P) 
SUBJECT:  Disclosure  of  Classified  Military  Information  to  Foreign  Governments 
and  International  Organizations 
References 
(a)  DoD  Directive  5230.11,  subject  as  above,  March  2,  1979  (hereby 
canceled) 
(b)  "National  Policy  and  Procedures  for  the  Disclosure  of 
Classified  Military  Information  to  Foreign  Governments 
and  International  Organizations"  (short  title:   National 
Disclosure  Policy  (NDP-1)),  September  9,  1981 
(c)  DoD  Directive  C-5230.23,  "Intelligence  Disclosure  Policy," 
November  18,  1983 
(d)  DoD  Directive  2040.2,  "International  Transfers  of  Technology, 
Goods,  Services,  and  Munitions,"  January  17,  1984 
(e)  through  (i),  see  enclosure  1 
A.  REISSUANCE  AND  PURPOSE 
This  Directive  reissues  reference  (a),  implements  reference  (b),  and  updates 
policy,  responsibilities,  and  procedures  for  the  disclosure  and  denial  of 
classified  military  information  to  foreign  governments  and  international 
organizations . 
B.  APPLICABILITY  AND  SCOPE 
1.  This  Directive  applies  to  the  Office  of  the  Secretary  of  Defense  (OSD)  , 
the  Military  Departments,  the  Organization  of  the  Joint  Chiefs  of  Staff 
(OJCS) ,  the  Unified  and  Specified  Commands,  and  the  Defense  Agencies 
(hereafter  referred  to  collectively  as  "DoD  Components"). 
2.  This  Directive  applies  to  all  disclosures  of  classified  military 
information  under  the  control  of  NDP-1  (reference  (b)),  except  as  limited  by 
DoD  Directive  C-5230.23  (reference  (c)). 
3.  This  Directive  also  applies  to  munitions  cases  processed  under  the 
provisions   of   DoD  Directive  2040.2  (reference  (d)). 
Available  on  a  "need-to-know"  basis  from  the  Principal  Director  for 
Counterintelligence  and  Security  Policy,  Office  of  the  Deputy  Under 
Secretary  of  Defense  for  Policy
C.  POLICY 
1.  Under  NDP-1  (reference  b)),  the  interagency  National  Military  Informa- 
tion Disclosure  Policy  Committee  (NDPC)  has  been  designated  as  the  central 
authority  for  the  formulation,  promulgation,  administration,  and  monitoring 
of  the  National  Disclosure  Policy.  Under  NDP-1  (reference  (b)),  the  Secretary 
of  Defense  or  the  Deputy  Secretary  of  Defense  and  the  NDPC  are  authorized  to 
grant  exceptions  to  reference  (b).  The  Secretary  of  Defense  and  the  Deputy 
Secretary  of  Defense  are  the  only  officials  within  the  Department  of  Defense 
having  original  authority  to  disclose  or  deny  U.S.  classified  military  infor- 
mation to  foreign  governments  and  international  organizations.   In  all  other 
cases,  responsibility  for  disclosure  decisions  rests  with  the  head  of  the  DoD 
Component  originating  the  information. 
2.  It  is  DoD  policy  to  treat  U.S.  classified  military  information  as  a 
national  security  asset  that  must  be  conserved  and  protected  and  that  may  be 
shared  with  foreign  governments  and  international  organizations  only  when  there 
is   a  clearly  defined  advantage  to  the  United  States.   Disclosures  and  denials 
of  such  information  to  foreign  governments  and  international  organizations 
shall  be  made  only  when  authorized  by  those  officials  specifically  granted 
disclosure  or  denial  authority  by  this  Directive  (section  D.  below)  after  they 
have  determined  that  all  of  the  requirements  of  NDP-1,  DoD  Directive  C-5230.23, 
DoD  Instruction  5230.17,  and  DoD  Instruction  5230.20  (references  (b),  (c) ,  (e) 
and  (f))  have  been  met. 
D.  RESPONSIBILITIES 
1.  The  Secretaries  of  the  Military  Departments,  the  Chairman  of  the  Joint 
Chiefs  of  Staff,  the  Under  Secretary  of  Defense  for  Policy,  the  Under  Secretary 
of  Defepse  for  Research  and  Engineering,  and  the  Director,  Defense  Intelligence 
Agency,  except  as  limited  by  DoD  Directive  C-5230.23  (reference  (c)),  shall: 
a.  Have  the  authority  to  disclose  or  deny  U.S.  classified  military 
information  originating  in  their  DoD  Component  within  the  limitations  of  NDP-1 
(reference  (b))  and  may  redelegate  disclosure  authority,  in  writing,  as  required 
for  the  effective  operation  of  commands  and  agencies  under  their  direction, 
control,  or  authority. 
b.  Designate  a  principal  subordinate  official  within  their  respective 
Component  to  be  the  principal  disclosure  authority  for  the  Component.   Such 
designations  shall  be  in  writing,  and  a  copy  shall  be  provided  to  the  Deputy 
Under  Secretary  of  Defense  for  Policy,  ATTN:   Chairman,  NDPC. 
c.  Designate  a  member  and  an  alternate  to  represent  their  Component 
on  the  NDPC.   Individuals  so  designated  shall  (1)  be  thoroughly  familiar  with 
the  administration  of  disclosure  activities  within  the  Component;  (2)  be 
qualified  to  provide  broad  guidance  on  matters  brought  before  the  NDPC;  and 
(3)  have  direct  access  on  disclosure  matters  to  their  principal  disclosure 
officials  and  other  members  of  the  NDPC. 
2.  The  Deputy  Under  Secretary  of  Defense  for  Policy  (DUSD(P)),  or  designee, 
shall:
Dec  31,  84 
5230.11 
a.  Assume  DoD  responsibility  for  the  oversight  and  effective 
implementation  of  NDP-1  (reference  (b))  and  operation  of  the  NDPC  under  NDP-1 
(reference  (b)). 
b.  Designate  the  Chair,  NDPC,  who  shall  represent  the  Secretary  of 
Defense  on  the  Committee. 
c.  Advise  DoD  Components  and  the  NDPC  regarding  security  matters 
related  to  disclosures. 
d.  Draft  and  negotiate,  in  coordination  with  other  appropriate  DoD 
Components  and  Federal  departments  and  agencies,  security  agreements  between 
the  United  States  and  foreign  governments  and  international  organizations 
governing  the  safeguarding  of  classified  military  information.  Each  such 
agreement  shall  include  the  requirements  specified  in  NDP-1  (reference  (b)). 
e.  Review  and  approve,  when  justified,  requests  for  disclosure 
authority  from  heads  of  organizational  elements  within  the  OSD  and  heads  of 
DoD  Components  not  covered  in  subsection  D.I.,  above. 
f.  Issue  supplemental  procedures  governing  the  disclosure  of 
classified  military  information  to  foreign  governments  and  international 
organizations. 
g.  Be  responsible  for  the  overall  direction,  management  and  control 
of  the  Foreign  Disclosure  and  Technical  Information  System  (FORDTIS)  in 
accordance  with  DoD  Instruction  5230.18  (reference  (g)). 
3.  The  General  Counsel,  Department  of  Defense,  shall: 
a.  Ensure  the  legal  adequacy  of  security  and  other  agreements  for  the 
safeguarding  of  classified  military  information  between  the  United  States  and 
foreign  governments  and  international  organizations. 
b.  Advise  DoD  Components  and  the  NDPC  en  the  legal  aspects  of 
applying  the  NDP-l  to  individual  disclosure  decisions. 
4.  The  Assistant  to  the  Secretary  of  Defense  (Atomic  Energy),  who  is  a 
special  member  of  the  NDPC,  shall  keep  other  NDPC  members  currently  informed 
on  the  implementation  of  international  agreements  made  under  the  Atomic  Energy 
Act  (Reference  (h)),  including  statutory  determinations  and  requirements 
placed  on  recipient  foreign  governments  and  international  organizations  with 
respect  to  safeguarding  atomic  information  released  to  them. 
5-   The  Secretary  of  the  Air  Force  shall  provide  automatic  data  processing 
resources  in  connection  with  the  operation,  maintenance,  and  administration  of 
FORDTIS.   Requests  for  funds  to  carry  out  this  responsibility  shall  be 
submitted  ia   accordance  with  DoD  7110. 1-M  (reference  (i)). 
E.   PROCEDURES 
1.   Disclosure  decisions  made  under  this  Directive  shall  be  reported  to 
the  FORDTIS  in  accordance  with  DoD  Instruction  5230.18  reference  (g)).
2.  Requests  for  exceptions  to  the  NDP-1  (reference  (b))  shall  follow 
guidelines  established  by  DoD  Instruction  5230.17  (reference  (e)). 
Additionally,  all  disclosure  actions,  including  requests  for  exceptions  to  the     f 
NDP-1  (reference  (b))  that  require  decisions  by  the  Secretary  of  Defense  or       ^- 
Deputy  Secretary  of  Defense  shall  contain  the  views  of  the  originating  DoD 
Component  or  agency  and  shall  be  coordinated  with  the  DUSD(P). 
3.  Under  conditions  of  actual  or  imminent  hostilities,  classified  military 
information  through  TOP  SECRET  may  be  disclosed  by  any  U.S.  commander  to  any 
actively  participating  allied  force  when  such  military  information  is   urgently 
required  for  support  of  combined  combat  operations.   Under  such  circumstances, 
the  JCS  shall  determine,  as  soon  as  practicable,  the  limitations  that  should 
be  imposed  on  continuing  disclosure  of  military  information  to  such 
participating  allied  force  and  inform  the  appropriate  U.S.  commander. 
4.  Disclosure  of  information  identified  by  the  JCS  as  pertaining  to  or 
involving  strategic  war  plans  may  be  authorized  only  by  the  Secretary  of 
Defense,  the  Deputy  Secretary  of  Defense,  or  the  JCS. 
F.   EFFECTIVE  DATE  AND  IMPLEMENTATION 
This  Directive  is  effective  immediately.   Forward  one  copy  of  implementing 
documents  to  the  Deputy  Under  Secretary  of  Defense  for  Policy  within  120  days. 
Liam  H.  Taft,  l\ 
Deputy  Secretary  of  Defense 
William  H.  Taft,  IV    L  S 
Enclosure  -  1 
References
Dec  31,  84 
5230.11  (Encl  1) 
REFERENCES,  continued 
(e)  DoD  Instruction  5230.17,  "Procedures  and  Standards  for  Disclosure  of 
Military  Information  to  Foreign  Activities,"  August  17,  1979 
(f)  DoD  Instruction  5230.20,  "Control  of  Foreign  Representatives," 
June  25,  1984 
(g)  DoD  Instruction  5230.18,  "The  DoD  Foreign  Disclosure  and  Technical 
Information  System  (F0RDTIS),"  November  5,  1984 
(h)  Title  42,  United  States  Code,  Sections  2121,  2153,  2164  (Public  Law  83-703, 
Atomic  Energy  Act  of  1954,  as  amended) 
(i)   DoD  7110. 1-M,  "DoD  Budget  Guidance  Manual,"  July  8,  1982 
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