Access. The availability of or the permission to consult records, archives, or manuscripts. The ability and opportunity to obtain classified, unclassified, or administratively controlled information or records.

Electronic records. Records stored in a form that only a computer can process and satisfies the definition of a federal record, also referred to as machine-readable records or automatic data processing records (including email).

Historical researchers or requestors. A person approved to conduct research in OSD files for historical information to use in a DoD approved project (e.g., agency historical office projects, books, articles, studies, or reports), regardless of the person's employment status. Excluded are Military personnel assigned to OSD; OSD employees, contractors, and students conducting research in response to academic requirements.

Records (also referred to as federal records or official records). All books, papers, maps, photographs, machine-readable materials, or other documentary materials, regardless of physical form or characteristics, made or received by an agency of the U.S. Government under federal law or in connection with the transaction of public business and preserved or appropriate for preservation by that agency or its legitimate successor as evidence of the organization, functions, policies, decisions, procedures, operations, or other activities of the U.S. Government or because of the informational value of data in them.