Confidentiality for those who use our services is protected. Your contact with the GI Rights Hotline is confidential except in certain situations which are discussed below. Our policy does not allow us to discuss your counseling, or even that you have sought counseling, with anyone outside our organization, unless you give us clear permission to do so. Within our offices, counselors may consult with other counselors, sharing only information necessary to address your concerns and provide you with the best information available.

1. It is only with your consent that specific information can be released to a particular person(s), e.g., parents, friends, doctor, the military.
2. Our staff consults with one another to ensure quality service. To provide the best quality of services to you, we sometimes use a team approach. These discussions are specific and limited. Please ask your counselor if you have any questions about this.
3. Your confidentiality cannot be guaranteed if your record is subpoenaed in a court of law or in the event the counselor determines that you are a clear and imminent danger to yourself and/or others. In addition, confidentiality cannot be guaranteed if you disclose that you are intending to or currently sexually or physically abusing a child or an elderly person.
4. Our counselors minimize record keeping as much possible to prevent the existence of records that could be subject to subpoena. Any callers with concerns about records can choose to remain anonymous and counselors will still provide information to the fullest extent possible.
5. Many people contact the GI Rights Hotline concerning absence offenses such as AWOL and UA and other violations of UCMJ. Counseling on such matters would remain entirely confidential with the exceptions stated in point 3 above.