AR 25-400-2 — Army Records Management Program
AR 25-400-2 governs the Army Records Management Program, including recordkeeping, retention, disposition, and wartime and contingency operations records.
- Publication number: AR 25-400-2
- Title: ARMY RECORDS MANAGEMENT PROGRAM
- Date: 10/18/2022
- Proponent: CIO
- Status: ACTIVE
View AR 25-400-2 on armypubs.army.mil
Related publications
It defines Army records, record media, active and inactive records, retention periods, transfers, and unscheduled records. It requires controls for electronic records, training, retention and disposal schedules, and preservation of permanent records.
Topics covered
- Army record definitions
- Electronic and social media records
- Records retention periods
- Records transfer and retirement
- Disposition instructions
- Wartime and contingency operations records
Questions and answers
What types of media can contain Army records?
Army records can be found in all media formats: paper, email, instant messaging, chat and text messages, telephone messages, voice mail messages, presentations, websites, social media, word processing documents, spreadsheets, and information systems. (paragraph 3-2)
How long must a record be kept before it is destroyed?
The length of time a record must be kept (either in the office, system, or in off-site storage) before it is destroyed. (paragraph 3-2)
Can unscheduled records be destroyed or deleted?
Unscheduled records Records that have not been approved by NARA for disposition. They may not be destroyed or deleted. (paragraph 3-2)
What is the legal authority for retaining and disposing of Army records?
Approval by the Archivist is the only legal authority for the retention and disposal of all Army records. (paragraph 1-87)
What happens to records that are no longer needed for current Army business?
Records disposition includes transfer to the AEA, retirement to FRCs, disposal of temporary records and accession of permanent records to NARA. (paragraph 6-1)