The Ceremonial Rifle Program affords posts and departments an opportunity to add dignity and class to their honor guard details at events such as funerals or parades. Under Army regulations, the secretary of the army may conditionally loan not more than 15 excess M1 Garand rifles to an eligible organization. A formal written request, signed by the Post Commander, must be submitted to the National Programs Department which-after validating good standing – will forward it to the U.S. Tank and Automotive Command (TACOM) in Warren, Michigan. TACOM will accept no requests without written approval of AMVETS National Headquarters.
Forms may be requested from the National Programs Department and downloaded.
The Process
Complete all forms and write a letter, addressed to TACOM, requesting a specific number of rifles. (from one to fifteen) The letter must be signed by the Post Commander or Adjutant. Include this letter, along with all of the forms and mail to the AMVETS National Programs Department. Your package will be reviewed and the letter validating your post will be added and then the completed packet will be mailed to TACOM. If everything is in order it will still take on average, four to six months.
Forms
The forms you need are:
- Checklist for Rifles
- Privacy Act Notice
- Certificate of Arms Storage
- Certificate of Compliance
- Ceremonial Rifle Inventory
- Ceremonial Rifle Return Inventory
- Triennial Certification
- Qualification Checklist for donation of Combat Material – VSO
- Static Annual Certificate
- Ammo and Accoutrement Info
Additional Resources
POC for requesting Ammo – Dawn Folland
Toll Free Phone: 877-233-2515
E-mail: dawn.lynn.folland@us.army.mil
Note: Slings are not provided through the Donations Program Group. The slings are available through commercial sources. One source you may consider (providing this link does not represent endorsement of any products or services contained therein):
Fulton Armory – www.fulton-armory.com