Requesting Ceremonial Support

Military bands, color guards, drill teams and the like may, when requested and in appropriate situations, take part in public events sponsored by non-federal organizations. Likewise with military equipment and other information – these might be included in static displays or exhibits. For the National Capital Region, the U.S. Army Military District of Washington facilitates requests for such support, including Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force and Coast Guard elements. Approval and tasking authority is exercised according to governing regulations and practices.

Requesters should be aware that 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 unit to locations outside the National Capital Region.

Please realize that all Armed Forces units and equipment have specific military missions and training requirements. Participation in public programs will only be authorized when such support is in the best interests of the Department of Defense and the Military Services and does not interfere with mission or training programs. This means, for example, that an operational contingency might arise that would preclude participation in an event even though previously approved, scheduled and tasked.

Some requests that cannot be accommodated
- 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
Examples of requests that can be considered for support
- 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

For most ceremonial requests, the support provided, if available, would be patriotic in nature and may include a color guard and/or a band. If a band is available to provide support, the type of support they would provide consist of 15 to 20 minutes of patriotic music prior to the start of the event and is designed to establish a patriotic mood or tone that initiates the formal portion of a civic, military, or governmental event.

Requests should be submitted a minimum of 60 days in advance of an event, although a greater amount of time is desirable. In the course of processing a request, it could take as much as four weeks to determine if support can be provided.

Note Requests received within 60 days are not likely to be supported due to adequate resources availability and competing requirements. Requests received within 30 days WILL NOT be supported due to adequate resources availability and competing requirements.

Requestors are asked to submit a request for support on organization letterhead and fill out a DD Form 2536, “Request for Armed Forces Participation in Public Events (Non Aviation).” This is necessary to process a request for military participation by Military Service personnel from the National Capital Region. Here is a sample of form DD 2536.

If you are asking for support for community engagements in the national capital region, send all requests to the Communication Office.

Fill out the form and email/fax to:

Communication Office
U.S. Army Military District of Washington
302 B Street, BLDG 47, Suite 2
Fort McNair, DC 20319-5074

FAX: 202.685.1999
ATTN: Community Engagements

Telephonic assistance is available at 202.685.0445
Email: usarmy.mcnair.mdw.mbx.jfhq-ncr-pao-web-events-omb@mail.mil

Conmy Hall Request Form

Federal organizations and requests outside the national capital region

All Department of Defense service branches and federal government agencies included -- use the same form but go through a different channel when requesting ceremonial support.

If you are a federal organization in or outside of the National Capital Region or a non-federal organization whose event will take place outside the National Capital Region, please send your request to the Ceremonies and Outreach Directorate office. Coordination with your local recruiting brigade can help facilitate your request for ceremonial assets. Here is a link to find more information about recruiting brigades located near you:

Ceremonies and Outreach Directorate
U.S. Army Military District of Washington
302 B Street
BLDG 47
Fort McNair, Washington DC 20319-5058
ATTN: Special Events

Telephonic assistance is available at 202.902.0222/0223.

Requests for military assets for public events sponsored by federal organizations can be made to the Special Events office by:
Email: usarmy.mcnair.mdw.mbx.jfhqncr-special-events-request@mail.mil

Are assets available elsewhere?

Consider these alternatives:

National Guard units may be able to support. Here is a list

A reserve unit may be able to support. Top-level links include:

Submit requests via DD 2536. For military aerial support, the form is DD 2535.

Title	Type	Size
Conmy Hall Request Form	docx	48 KB	Download
DD2535 - Aviation Support	pdf	297 KB	Download
DD2536 - Ceremonial Support (Non-Aviation)	pdf	164 KB	Download