How long must Request Mast records be retained?

The period for which Request Mast records must be retained is two years. This requirement ensures that records are kept long enough to allow for any necessary reviews, audits, or follow-up actions related to the requests submitted. Retaining these records for a duration of two years facilitates accountability and transparency within the military's administrative processes. It provides a sufficient timeframe for the organization to address any issues that may arise from the requests and to maintain a historical record of service member concerns and the actions taken in response to them.

Longer retention periods, such as five years, may not be necessary and could lead to unnecessary clutter in record keeping, while shorter periods like six months or one year would not provide enough time for thorough review and resolution of issues that may arise post-request. The two-year retention strikes a balance between practical administrative needs and the rights of service members to have their voices and concerns documented and addressed appropriately.