Defense Technical Information Center Downloads
The Defense Technical Information Center (DTIC) has been a priceless resource for any historian studying the modern American military and its conflicts. It is a repository of thousands of reports and analyses conducted since 1947 (and some earlier ones added later) and then declassified for public access (or never classified at all). All of it has recently been put behind a wall that requires a CAC (Common Access Card) to get through. This is clearly a result of an August 2025 reduction in force, but it also reflects a general decline in transparency and accessibility.
There is a claim on the DTIC website that public access will eventually be restored, but it is unclear when or if that will happen. In the meantime, the Society wants to make its members aware of possible work arounds.
The first option is to consult Archive.org and the Internet Wayback Machine (both basically on the same website. Many of the things that were on DTIC are available through the main “Internet Archive” item search and directly downloadable as PDFs from there. See for example: https://archive.org/search?tab=all&query=DTIC&page=4 and https://archive.org/details/DTIC_ADA486715.
The second option is more participatory. Many members of the society have CAC cards, and have volunteered to help SMH members download needed, unclassified items. When that happens, the SMH will also publicly list and maintain a copy of that item on this page for others to find. If you would like to receive further information, please email your request to SocMilHist@proton.me and we will direct to one of our volunteers.
