Proposal for Enhanced Identification Efforts and Policy Adjustments for POW/MIA Accountability
Introduction:
The recovery and identification of U.S. service members classified as Prisoners of War or Missing in Action (POW/MIA) remain a priority and a moral imperative for the Department of Defense (DoD). As a concerned citizen, I propose two key policy changes to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of identification efforts, enhance transparency, and expedite the closure for families awaiting news of their loved ones.
Proposal Summary:
This proposal advocates for the following changes:
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Leveraging Non-Government DNA Laboratories for Cost-Effective Identification Efforts
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Full Declassification of POW/MIA Records from 1940 to 2000
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Utilize Private Non-Government DNA Laboratories for Efficient DNA Processing
• Objective: Save taxpayer funds and expedite the identification process for American service members interred as “Unknowns” in American Battle Monument Commission cemeteries overseas.
• Rationale: DNA processing through private Non-Government Organizations (NGO) DNA laboratories is often faster and more cost-effective than utilizing government-exclusive facilities. By partnering with these private labs, the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) could significantly reduce costs while maintaining high-quality standards for DNA analysis.
• Implementation Details:
• Outsourcing DNA Processing: Mandate that the DPAA contract with private, accredited DNA labs to analyze remains and produce DNA profiles for unidentified service members.
• Public DNA Database Integration: Require that these labs upload the processed DNA profiles to public databases (e.g., GEDmatch, FamilyTreeDNA) to enable matching with profiles voluntarily submitted by potential living descendants. This increases the likelihood of successful identification by broadening the pool of accessible DNA data.
• Disinterment Target: Establish an annual target of disinterring and processing 10,000 unidentified remains from all wars, ensuring a continuous and focused effort until all Unknowns are accounted for.
- Declassify All POW/MIA Records from World War II to the Year 2000
• Objective: Promote transparency and provide full disclosure of all historical records related to POW/MIAs from World War II through the year 2000.
• Rationale: Family members and researchers have long advocated for the release of classified information that could shed light on the fates of their loved ones. Declassifying all records related to POW/MIAs from World War II onwards would address these calls for transparency and potentially reveal critical information that could assist in identifying missing service members or clarifying unresolved cases.
• Implementation Details:
• Mandatory Declassification: Implement a federal mandate requiring all DoD and associated federal agencies to declassify documents relating to POW/MIA cases from World War II through 2000. Exceptions would be minimized to the greatest extent possible, without redacting details of direct relevance to family members and historical researchers.
• Interagency Cooperation: Involve relevant government agencies in the declassification process to ensure comprehensive access to information, including intelligence, combat reports, and other records that may aid in clarifying cases.
Conclusion:
Adopting these two policy changes would reflect a commitment to both efficiency and transparency in the identification process for America’s missing service members. By engaging with private DNA labs and declassifying historical records, the DoD can expedite the identification process, provide long-awaited answers to families, and ultimately honor the service and sacrifice of America’s POW/MIAs in a meaningful and enduring way.
Thank you for considering this proposal, which aims to uphold the values of accountability, transparency, and fiscal responsibility while addressing one of our nation’s enduring missions.