Requesting Ceremonial Support
How to Request Armed Forces Ceremonial & Musical Support for an Event
We invite you to request support from our military bands, color guards/joint color guards, and drill teams to take part in public events. Requests for static displays and military equipment will be handled on a case-by-case basis.
Most ceremonial support is patriotic in nature and may include a color guard and/or a band. Typically, this type of support consists of 15 to 20 minutes of patriotic music prior to the start of your event and is designed to establish a patriotic mood or tone that initiates the formal portion of a civic, military, or governmental event.
Participation in public programs will be allowed when the support is in the best interest of the Department of Defense, the Military Services, and does not interfere with mission or training programs. This means that if an event is approved and a military operation arises, the support previously approved may be cancelled to support that operation.
For the National Capital Region (NCR) in the Washington, D.C. area, the U.S. Army Military District of Washington (USAMDW) facilitates requests for the Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force and Coast Guard elements. USAMDW approval and tasking authority is exercised according to governing regulations and practices.
Request Ceremonial Support
How to submit a request:
-
- Veterans of Foreign Wars convocation
- Major sporting events accessible to public through television broadcast
- Musical clinics or workshops
- Congressional Youth Leadership Council's National Young Leaders Conference
- Civic/business associations/organizations annual conferences/conventions
- United Maryland Realtors Association annual meeting
-
- Fundraising events
- Events that benefit a particular business or company
- Events for a narrow segment of the populace, e.g. a family reunion
- Individual retirement, promotion, farewell or induction ceremonies
- Support for or during a religious service (although on-post chaplaincy mission is supported)
- Events that are not open and free to the public
- Events that would be detrimental to the interests or values of the armed forces
-
- Submit requests as early as possible.
- A minimum of 60 days in advance.
- Requests received within the 60-day minimum time period are not likely to be supported due to the availability of ceremonial support units.
-
- If the event is within the National Capital Region, there is no cost associated with support to a public event.
- Armed Forces participation in public events may only be provided at no additional cost to the government.
- A sponsor must pay, when necessary, for non-local transportation, lodging or meals, in order to bring a performing military unit to locations outside the National Capital Region
-
- If you are located outside the National Capital Region, please consider the following:
- Coordinate with recruiting brigades located near you for ceremonial events.
- Consider assets available by the National Guard in your area. A reserve unit may be able to support:
event support request forms
| Title | Type | Size | |
| docx Conmy Hall Request Form | docx | 48 KB | Download |
| pdf DD2535 - Aviation Support | 176 KB | Download | |
| pdf DD2536 - Ceremonial Support (Non-Aviation) | 89 KB | Download |