What is the Department of Defense's shred size specification for classified material?

• A. 1 mm by 5 mm or less
• B. 1/32 inch by 1/2 inch
• C. 1/16 inch by 1/4 inch
• D. 2 mm by 6 mm

Answer: (A)

When security hinges on destroying information so it can’t be reconstructed, the size of the shredded pieces matters. The DoD standard for classified material requires shredding to very small pieces—no larger than 1 millimeter by 5 millimeters. This tiny, rectangular fragment size makes it impractical to reassemble or read contents from scraps, even if parts are recovered from different places.

That’s why this option is the best fit: it directly aligns with the requirement to minimize reconstructability of sensitive material. The other sizes listed produce larger fragments, which could potentially be pieced back together or inspected more easily, so they don’t meet the security standard for classified disposal.