DNA destruction request

[Purple36]

Apparently when you leave the military you can request to have your DNA sample destroyed.
https://health.mil/Military-Health-T...uction-Request

[gavin]

When they started collecting DNA, every time we went to POM/SRC they would take samples (probably because we didn't have good tracking mechanisms back then). They collected the swab/blood DNA from me at least 10 times in the mid-90s. I wonder if they will destroy them all...

[Steve40th]

Thanks. I will send this link out to friends.
I wonder if you can get a copy of your DNA, so you know what they have had on you.. Or at least what they look at.

[Fu King Lawyer]

This very thing was a SOCNET topic several years ago....
http://www.socnet.com/showthread.php?t=125421
Curious, did anyone here do the application, and how did it work?
v/r
fkl

[DB8541]

I am sure the results would be about as effective as requesting Google and FaceBook to delete all of their meta data on you in their privacy control settings.

[pavegnr]

Their first excuse will be we don't have it or we lost it.

[Purple36]

Originally Posted by DB8541

I am sure the results would be about as effective as requesting Google and FaceBook to delete all of their meta data on you in their privacy control settings.

Except .gov is actually governed by regulations.

[Gsniper]

Except .gov is actually governed by regulations.

Good one. I wish I still believed that.

[Purple36]

Well, fricken regulations and policies sure impact my daily life in my unit..so I'm pretty sure the Health.mil site deals with the same.

[Gsniper]

I'm sure you are speaking truth. I'm just being grumpy and paranoid about the .gov these days.

[1RiserSlip]

I left a lot of dna in the desert sand. I wasn't wounded or shot either.

However, if you were retired before 911 would the military have your dna? I've never gave it much thought.

[Purple36]

Originally Posted by 1RiserSlip

I left a lot of dna in the desert sand. I wasn't wounded or shot either.

However, if you were retired before 911 would the military have your dna? I've never gave it much thought.

Mine was taken in 94.......

[KW Driver]

Originally Posted by Purple36

Mine was taken in 94.......

same, if not '93. retired in '15.

[Purple36]

At the time it was a new requirement and quite controversial...privacy concerns and mission creep.

[H60Gunner]

Originally Posted by Purple36

Mine was taken in 94.......

Me too. Onboard the USS Nimitz, it was "mandatory" for pilots and aircrew. At first no one explained why and many people were against having their DNA taken and stored at some medical facility. Our Skipper brought us all together and said "quit bitchin', get it done, no one wants to clone your dumbasses anyway". Then one of our flight surgeons came in and showed us a picture of a pile of raw meat on a table. He explained that if this happens it would be easier for everyone if they could use DNA to id who the carcass belonged to.

[cedsall]

Originally Posted by Purple36

Mine was taken in 94.......

I retired in 95 and I recall having my DNA taken.

"If we ever have to identify your remains..."

I also saw the deal where they will destroy the DNA. I'm guessing they mean the actual sample. I'm betting there's a digital representation of that DNA sample in some medical database somewhere. I doubt they're purging those records.

Yep, here it is from the health.mil website:

"Per DoD Instruction 5154.30, Section 3.c.(1), dated December 29, 2015, individual specimen samples will be destroyed at the request of the donor following the conclusion by the donor of completed military service or other applicable relationship to the DoD."

Specimen samples get destroyed.