America - Kerry's Records Released?

The Boston Globe (free subscription) says "Senator John F. Kerry, ending at least two years of refusal, has waived privacy restrictions and authorized the release of his full military and medical records."

But is the Globe releasing all of Kerry's records? And, more importantly, did Kerry sign Part III of his Form 180?

Restrictions on release of information. Release of information is subject to restrictions imposed by the military services consistent with Department of Defense regulations and the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and the Privacy Act of 1974. The service member (either past or present) or the member's legal guardian has access to almost any information contained in that member's own record. Others requesting information from military personnel/health records must have the release authorization in Section III of the SF 180 signed by the member or legal guardian, but if the appropriate signature cannot be obtained, only limited types of information can be provided.

Unless we know whether Kerry signed Part III of form 180, we won't know if he has released his "full record". If people can get a copy of Kerry's records, can they get a copy of the Form 180 to see if he signed part III?

The Navy said they had over 100 pages they could not release without Kerry's authorization. Did the Globe get that many and are they reporting on all of them?

The biggest question of all remains unanswered. What type of discharge did Kerry originally receive? Remember, Kerry had his discharge re-issued after Carter granted a pardon to Vietnam vets.

Then there is this exchange between Kerry and Tim Russert on Feb 7th.

Last week the 2008 presidential hopeful suggested he wanted to review his full Navy file to make sure of "what is in the record and what isn't in the record" before signing Form 180.

"I'm going to sit down with them and make sure that they are clear and I am clear as to what is in the record and what isn't in the record and we'll put it out," he told "Meet the Press" host Tim Russert.

Kerry did not explain his reference to "what isn't in the record," though questions arose late in the campaign about why he received his honorable discharge six years after leaving the service.

So, Kerry edited his records with the help of the Navy.

I doubt we will ever see Kerry's "full" military record.

UPDATE

It's possible the Globe did not get Kerry's records as a result of a Form 180 request.

The grade transcript, which Kerry has always declined to release, was included in his Navy record. During the campaign the Globe sought Kerry's naval records, but he refused to waive privacy restrictions for the full file. Late last month, Kerry gave the Navy permission to send the documents to the Globe.

Was that "permission" the From 180 or just a response to the Globe's request for some "documents"?

We need someone else to do a Form 180 request and we need to know if Kerry signed Part III of that form.

UPDATE

The American Spectator has similar questions and notes this:

A member of the Harvard Law School admissions committee recalled that the real reason Mr. Kerry was not admitted was because the committee was concerned that because Mr. Kerry had received a less than honorable discharge they were not sure he could be admitted to any state bar.

Does Harvard keep a record of these decisions?

UPDATE

Michelle Malkin emailed me and pointed out a big mistake I made.

Kerry had his discharge re-issued after Carter granted a pardon to Vietnam vets.

Ouch! That's is certainly not what I meant! I meant the draft dogers and people such as Kerry.

Sorry for the slip up folks.

UPDATE

This blog notes that there is even a section of Form 180 for deleting records you do not want released. Records like reason for seperation - discharge.

Obviously Form 180 is not the Holy Grail some hoped it would be.
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