Who retains ownership of the original paper versions of STRs?

The correct answer is that the Department of Defense retains ownership of the original paper versions of Service Treatment Records (STRs). This is important because the STRs are official military medical records that document the health care provided to service members during active duty. The ownership of these records lies with the Department of Defense, as they are responsible for maintaining the integrity and confidentiality of military health information.

The Department of Defense has policies and procedures in place for the management, retention, and eventual transfer of these records. While the Department of Veterans Affairs may also use this information for benefits-related purposes, it does not own the original records. Similarly, the National Archives holds records of historical significance or those that are no longer actively needed by the Department of Defense but does not claim ownership of current STRs. Finally, while it may seem logical that a service member's family would retain ownership after the service member's passing, the legal ownership remains with the Department of Defense until the records are officially decommissioned or transferred in accordance with specific policies.