Last month, four amendments introduced by Representative Eli Crane, a Republican from Arizona, were included in the House-approved version of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). All four amendments received unanimous support.
One of these amendments addresses the military’s titling process, which determines how service members are listed in investigative records. Since 1992, the standard for titling has shifted from requiring “probable cause” to only needing “credible information.” Critics argue that this lower threshold has led to individuals being wrongfully included in investigative files.
Being titled can have significant effects on military personnel, such as impacting promotions, security clearances, job prospects after leaving the military, and gun ownership rights.
Crane’s amendment proposes that titling records be automatically removed ten years after a service member leaves the military, unless there is an ongoing trial or conviction. He described this change as important for protecting veterans’ livelihoods.
“Far too often, the reputations of our brave service members are unfairly tarnished due to titling,” said Rep. Crane. “My amendment to the House-passed NDAA would require the Pentagon to erase military investigative records ten years after discharge, unless there’s a conviction or pending trial. This is a sensible step toward protecting our troops from unjust reputational harm, and I will continue pushing for its inclusion in the final NDAA signed by President Trump.”
Eli Crane began representing Arizona’s 2nd district in Congress in 2023 after replacing Tom O’Halleran. He was born in Tucson in 1980 and currently lives in Oro Valley.
