Today, I want to share the top 4 Army Supply Regulations, as I see it. These are regulations that all small unit leaders should familiarize themselves with, so they can have a basic understanding of how the Army Supply system works.
# 4 AR 750-1 (Army Material Maintenance Policy)
This regulation made the list because maintenance and supply go hand in hand. Most Army property needs to be PMCSd, serviced and/or maintained. This regulation will tell you what is expected of you, regardless of your duty position. In the regulation you will find information about:
- Responsibilities
- Maintenance policies and structure
- Maintenance Operations
- Depot Maintenance
- Commodity Oriented Maintenance Policies
- Life Cycle Maintenance Support
- Maintenance Programs
- Equipment Reset
- Left Behind Equipment
# 3 DA PAM 710-2-1 (Using Unit Supply System: Manual Procedures)
This DA PAM covers all aspects of unit supply, using manual procedures. It will teach you how to do the following things:
- Requesting and receiving supplies
- Disposition of property
- Accounting for property
- Assigning responsibility of property
- Controlling components of end items
- Management of basic and operational loads
- Repair parts procedures
- Inventory procedures
- OCIE procedures
- Ammunition management
- Petroleum management
- HAZMAT management
# 2 AR 710-2 (Supply Below the National Level)
This regulation will benefit the Supply Sergeant, S4 or PBO even more than the small unit leader, but the information is still good to know. This regulation covers:
- Using unit supply
- Direct Support and General Support activities
- Supply Support for Installations, U.S. Property Fiscal Offices, Strategic Communications Facility, and Table of Distribution and Allowances Activities
- Corps Support Command and Theater Support Command
- Theater Army Level Supply Management
# 1 AR 735-5 (Property Accountability)
This is the “Holy Grail” of Army Supply Regulations. This supply regulation covers the following things:
- Property Accounting Requirements
- Army property and non-Army property
- Real property, capital equipment and non-expendable supplies
- Transfer of accounts
- Receipt, shipment and issue of property
- Non-expendable, expendable and durable property
- Deviations and waivers to Property Accounting Procedures and policy
- Offer of payment and rewards for lost Army property, loans bonding and other accounting procedures
- Command Supply Discipline Program
- Methods for obtaining relief from Army property
- Financial Liability Investigations of Property Loss
- Special Procedures
- Accounting for Losses of National Stock
- Discrepancies Incident to Shipment of Property by Common or Contractor Carrier
Final Thoughts
There you have it folks. These are the top 4 Army Supply Regulations as I see it. I encourage you to print out a copy of each one of these regulations, read them, and add them to your leader’s book. Everyone needs a “basic” understanding of supply procedures, especially if they are in charge of equipment or Army property.
What do you think? Which regulation did I leave off the list, but should have included? What do you think is the most important supply regulation for small unit leaders? Leave a comment below to share your thoughts. I look forward to hearing from you.
Chuck Holmes
Former Army Major (resigned)
Publisher, Part-Time-Commander.com
Email: mrchuckholmes@gmail.com
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I also believe that understanding maintenance procedures are of utmost importance. No matter where you are in the Army, there is going to be equipment that will require maintenance. If you understand the procedures, when something is broke, you will be able to have it fixed quickly.
I believe it should be mandatory that every leaders has copies of these supply and maintenance regulations. It will make their jobs much easier.
Good point. Every leader should have a basic understanding about maintenance. They don’t need to be an expert, but they should at least understand the basic principles and processes.
I agree with the fact that unit leaders should have copies of these regulations nearby for reference purposes at all times. Hands down AR 735-5 (Property Accountability) is the most important of all. Knowing where, why, who, and how is very important from the smallest piece of Army equipment to the largest. If this wasn’t controlled, Army property could end up in the wrong hands being used against our soldiers. I too would suggest that unit leaders read these and try to get the main points memorized. They are important.
Everyone needs a basic understanding of supply, especially if they are signed for equipment or supervise others.