Amnesty Program and Found on Installation Munitions
One common sight of any ammunition supply point is the red amnesty box used for any military ammunition cartridges leftover from the range. As many soldiers know, keeping rounds, even accidentally, can become a severe problem. That is why the red boxes are conveniently placed for individuals to turn in ammunition safely. A different situation would be a can of ammunition in the arms rooms you happened to find out has no record but is part of your required mission. Each of the cases is unique and procedurally are treated differently.
Ammunition and Explosives Amnesty Programs
The Ammunition and Explosives (AE) amnesty program is a way for commanders to maximize recovery of military munitions-related items found outside the supply system. Individuals cannot use the program to circumvent standard turn-in procedures. Also, the program will not be the cause for the initiation of an investigation of individuals making turn-ins. The amnesty program is the commander’s program, but they require assistance to implement through an installation and organizations. Leaders must brief personnel semiannually on the program and ahead of exercises or training events to ensure soldiers know what to do with excess ammunition and explosives.
Commanders must also ensure the posting of the nearest location and telephone number of the turn-in point, along with the days dedicated to collection amnesty annually at easily accessible collection points. One key aspect of the program is amnesty collection containers;
· Located at each Ammunition Supply Point;
· That is available 24 hours a day;
· Inspected at irregular intervals;
· Approved Army command designs.
The amnesty containers may have locations other than ammunition supply points. Regardless of containers, ammunition supply points will accept ammunition turned in under the amnesty program without paperwork. Individuals do not require turn-in documents, and the Ammunition Support Activity completes a DA Form 581 turn-in document for internal supply records.
Ammunition and Explosives Found on Installation
When military property is found on an installation such as arms, ammunition, and explosives or discovered in a unit and not on accountable records, the property must immediately be turned in as “Found on Installation.” The property book officer does not take AE or with a unit and puts it on organization property records. Munitions must go to the supporting ammunition supply point for proper identification and inspection. The document number will not be assigned by the unit but assigned by the ASP after the found on installation transaction. And would be replenished if the unit has the authorization for the munitions and after a request.
For ammunition and explosives found on installation, they are considered hazardous, excluding small arms (.50 Cal. and below), are not moved by untrained personnel. The supporting Explosive Ordnance Disposal recovers AE found on installation and munitions safe for handling and transport are delivered to the ammunition supply point without documentation. For ammunition and explosives found off installation, the installation boundary, the local civilian authorities have primary responsibility and coordinate with military police. EOD units may respond to the incidents based on agreements with civilian authorities and may also be delivered to the ammunition supply point.
Conclusion
Through their Ammunition and Explosives (AE) amnesty program, commanders provide amnesty collection containers and annual amnesty days to recover military munitions-related items found outside the supply system. Military AE found and located with units not on accountable records must immediately be turned in as found on installation. While both terms are interrelated, the amnesty program allows for the turn-in of ammunition with no questions asked as amnesty. And the turn-in of ammunition typically found within the installation boundary as found on installation.
Resources
Army Regulation 710–2. (28 March 2008). Supply Policy Below the National Level, Retrieved from https://armypubs.army.mil/ProductMaps/PubForm/Details.aspx?PUB_ID=3840
Aviation and Missile Command Public Affairs. (Feb 26, 2020). Turn in old ammunition at designated drop-offs, Retrieved from https://www.theredstonerocket.com/military_scene/article_6a54d598-58b1-11ea-8e77-23008474c7ed.html
Department of the Army Pamphlet 700–16. (26 June 2017). The Army Ammunition Management System, Retrieved from https://armypubs.army.mil/ProductMaps/PubForm/Details.aspx?PUB_ID=1000841