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Frequently Asked Questions about the JAMRS Database

1. What does JAMRS stand for?

JAMRS stands for the "Joint Advertising Market Research Studies" and refers to a branch of the Pentagon devoted to polling and market research designed to maximize military recruitment efforts. Part of this marketing campaign involves a database containing information about millions of people to be targeted for military recruitment. According to the Department of Defense's Privacy Act Statement of January 2007 in the Federal Register, the purpose of the JAMRS database "is to provide a single central facility within the Department of Defense to compile, process and distribute files of individuals who meet age and minimum school requirements for military service."

2. What type of information is kept in the JAMRS database?

The JAMRS database includes information such as name, date of birth, gender, mailing address, e-mail address, race and ethnicity, telephone number, high school name, graduation date, Grade Point Average, college intent, military interest, field of study, and the ASVAB Test score.

3. Why does the military collect data on race and ethnicity?

In our lawsuit the NYCLU sought to compel the Department of Defense to cease gathering information on race and ethnicity, yet the military insists on continuing this type of data collection. The NYCLU believes the DoD's resistance stems from the military's on-going efforts to target racial and ethnic minorities, especially from Latino and African-American communities, for aggressive recruitment campaigns. The military has long focused on areas with high populations of people of color and low-income communities for additional recruitment. Click here to take a look at some of the military's training materials for recruiters on how to attract Latino and African-American recruits.

4. How long does such information stay in the JAMRS database?

According to the Department of Defense's Privacy Act Statement of January 2007, records are kept in the JAMRS database for no more than three years.

5. How does the Department of Defense get the information it uses in the JAMRS database?

The Department of Defense has many ways of acquiring information for the database. Much of the information is obtained by spending millions of dollars purchasing information from private data brokers, particularly marketing companies that specialize in collecting information about teenagers and young adults. In addition, the military collects information that individuals voluntarily contribute on recruitment brochures or questionnaires and acquires information from state Department of Motor Vehicle offices, the Selective Service System, the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB test), and other government personnel databases.

6. What does the Department of Defense do with the data it compiles?

During the three years that information can be stored in the JAMRS system, the DoD can only use the information for the purposes of military recruitment. The DoD can also use the information for other reasonable uses such as in the defense of a lawsuit or in order to cooperate with oversight agencies' review of military compliance with federal laws governing data management or privacy.

7. What can I do to keep my information out of the JAMRS database?

Technically, there is no way to keep your personal information out of the JAMRS database. However, if you fill out an opt-out form and send it to the JAMRS headquarters, the Department of Defense will keep your name in a "suppression file" which means that the military will continue to collect information about you but it will not be able to use any of it for the purposes of recruitment. Your information will remain sealed in the suppression file inaccessible to recruiters.

8. How often do I need to opt out of JAMRS?

You should only need to opt out of the JAMRS database once. If you move addresses, however, you should send a new opt-out letter. After opting out, your information should stay sealed in the suppression file for ten years, after which it will be purged from the database.

9. I thought I already opted out of military recruitment by turning a form into my high school office. Shouldn't the military already be prevented from getting my personal information?

The military is not already prevented from getting your personal information. The military gathers information from a wide array of sources. One source is information gathered under the No Child Left Behind Act which allows recruiters to request directory information (name, address, phone number) of eleventh and twelfth grade students from high schools. The NCLB information is completely separate from the JAMRS information. If you opt out of NCLB, this does not guarantee you will not be called by military recruiters. You must opt out of both NCLB and JAMRS. To opt out of NCLB, click here.

10. What can I do to spread the word about JAMRS?

Not very many people know the huge scope of the JAMRS database or even that it exists at all. The only way for young people to keep their personal information private from recruiters is to opt out. Here are some things you can do to spread the word:

- Tell your friends and family! The best way to get somebody to take action on anything is if the information comes from somebody they trust and who cares about them. Make sure your friends and family know that you're looking out for their privacy.

- Write a letter to the editor of your local paper.

- Do a presentation on the JAMRS opt-out for a local sports team, religious youth group, PTA meeting, or school club. The more people you can reach, the better.

 
More information

Click here to read the NYCLU's complaint (PDF).
Click here to read the DOD's new rules (PDF).