When I have a question for my government, I call the information specialists at the Federal Information Center (FIC). They've saved me countless hours of dealing with other government officials who are determined to forward me into voice mail hell just to get rid of me.
Alas, even the FIC uses a voice mail system, but you can dodge it by pressing 5 as soon as you make the connection. You'll get a real human on the phone, one who will help you find answers to your questions. Recently, I was doing research for my story on the downsizing of the ROTC. Instead of calling a local ROTC recruiter for a quote, as my editor suggested, I called the FIC, and ten minutes later I was speaking with the colonel in charge of the program at the Pentagon. I can't imagine the number of calls I would have had to make to find this person without the FIC's help.
Of course, once the FIC points you in the right direction, you could end up dealing with an agency that gives you the usual run-around. But at least you'll know you're getting sandbagged by the proper department.
Federal Information Center, (9 a.m to 8 p.m. EDT): (800) 347 1997. PO Box 600, Cumberland, MD 21502.
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