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Defense Office of Prepublication and Security Review History

The Defense Office of Prepublication and Security Review (DOPSR) was the first operational activity established in the newly formed Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD) in 1949. DOPSR has served as part of the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense (Public Affairs) (OASD(PA)) and the Washington Headquarters Services (WHS) and has been a field activity, directorate, office and is now a division within the Executive Services Directorate of WHS.

  • March 28, 1949 – Security Review Branch, Office of Public Information, National Military Establishment is created within the new OSD.
  • April 18, 1949 – Security Review becomes the first public information activity to be consolidated and also became the first operational activity in OSD.
  • December 5, 1950 – Security Review was designated by the Secretary of Defense as the channel for clearances on foreign policy for the DoD with the Department of State.
  • July 27, 1951 – The first OSD functions directive for Security Review was published. It was the first such directive and gave legal support for Security Review activities.
  • August 1951 – The Atomic Energy Commission (AEC) transferred to Security Review the responsibility of coordinating and clearing for DoD proposed AEC reports and releases.
  • February 7, 1955 – The first OSD and Service testimony guidance was formalized as a DoD Instruction requiring a review of Congressional testimony prior to presentation.
  • 1955 – Security Review elevated to an Office equal to the Office of Public Information. • August 17, 1957 – DoD Directive 5230.9, “Clearance of Department of Defense Public Information” guidance promulgated.
  • June 30, 1961 – Security Review Directorate within the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense (Public Affairs) was established and formalized by DoD Directive 5122.2.
  • March 1998 – Directorate for Freedom of Information and Security Review (DFOISR) transferred from OASD(PA) to the Director, Administration and Management/WHS as a stand-alone directorate.
  • January 2004 – DFOISR became the Office of Freedom of Information and Security Review (OFOISR).
  • June 2006 – OFOISR is separated into two separate divisions – Security Review Division and Freedom of Information Division.
  • 2014 - Security Review Division changes its name to the Defense Office of Prepublication and Security Review.