PREVIOUS EDITION IS OBSOLETE. DD FORM 2536, JAN 2023

REQUEST FOR ARMED FORCES PARTICIPATION IN PUBLIC EVENTS 

(NON-AVIATION)

OMB No. 0704-0290 

OMB approval expires 

20260131

The public reporting burden for this collection of information is estimated to average 20 minutes per response, including the time for reviewing instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering and maintaining the data needed, and 

completing and reviewing the collection of information. Send comments regarding this burden estimate or any other aspect of this collection of information, including suggestions for reducing the burden, to the Department of Defense, 

Washington Headquarters Services, at whs.mc-alex.esd.mbx.dd-dod-informationcollections@mail.mil. Respondents should be aware that notwithstanding any other provision of law, no person shall be subject to any penalty for failing to 

comply with a collection of information if it does not display a currently valid OMB control number. 

PLEASE DO NOT RETURN YOUR FORM TO THE ABOVE ORGANIZATION. RETURN COMPLETED FORM TO THE APPROPRIATE ADDRESS ON THE BACK OF THIS FORM.

ALL DATA WILL BE HANDLED ON A "FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY" BASIS.

PURPOSE: This form is used to request all Armed Forces MUSICAL UNIT, TROOP, COLOR/HONOR GUARD, GUEST SPEAKER, and/or EXHIBIT/EQUIPMENT participation in public 

events. The information is required to evaluate the event for appropriateness and compliance with DoD policies and for coordination with the units involved. Please complete all sections.

SECTION I - EVENT DATA

1. SPECIFIC REQUIREMENT (i.e., Musical Unit, Color Guard, Military Equipment, Troop Formation Number)

2. INCLUSIVE DATES/TIME OF EVENT (YYYYMMDD/0:00 a.m. or p.m.)

START DATE END DATE TIME REHEARSAL DATE/TIME 

(if applicable) CHECK IF 1-DAY EVENT

3. TITLE OF EVENT (and website, if applicable) (List other potential engagements for requested military support in item 21) 4.a. EXPECTED 

ATTENDANCE

4.b. MEDIA COVERAGE (X all that apply)

LOCAL TELEVISION SOCIAL MEDIA

REGIONAL RADIO NONE

NATIONAL PRINT

4.c. YOUR MEDIA/PR POC (Name/telephone/email):

NAME

TELEPHONE

EMAIL

4.d. VIP ATTENDANCE (X if applicable)

5. SITE OF EVENT (e.g., park, auditorium, airport) (NOTE: This site must be 

accessible to and usable by persons with disabilities.)

6. ADDRESS OF EVENT (Street, City, State, ZIP Code)

7. PROGRAM (Describe program theme and objective, audience and civic makeup, and the purpose of Armed Forces participation.)

8.a. HAVE OTHER ARMED FORCES UNITS BEEN REQUESTED TO SUPPORT 

THIS EVENT? (If so, specify.)

8.b. HAS DoD SUPPORTED THIS EVENT IN THE PAST? (If so, specify previous 

military support.)

9. IS THERE ANY CHARGE? (e.g., admission, parking. If so, specify.) 10. IS THIS EVENT BEING USED TO RAISE FUNDS FOR ANY PURPOSE? 

(If so, specify how funds will be distributed.)

11. WILL ADMISSION, SEATING, AND ALL OTHER ACCOMMODATIONS AND FACILITIES CONNECTED WITH THIS EVENT BE AVAILABLE TO 

ALL PERSONS WITHOUT REGARD TO RACE, COLOR, NATIONAL ORIGIN, RELIGION, AGE, DISABILITY, SEX, GENDER IDENTITY, OR 

SEXUAL ORIENTATION? (X appropriate box)

YES NO

SECTION II - REQUESTING ORGANIZATION DATA

12.a. NAME AND WEBSITE OF REQUESTING ORGANIZATION

12.b. SOCIAL MEDIA HANDLES:

FACEBOOK INSTAGRAM TWITTER OTHER

(X appropriate box for each item.) YES NO

13. IS THE REQUESTING ORGANIZATION A CIVIC ORGANIZATION? (e.g., a non-governmental organization primarily focused on improving broad 

based communities at large.)

14. DOES THE EVENT HAVE THE OFFICIAL BACKING OF THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT?

15.a. DOES THE REQUESTING ORGANIZATION EXCLUDE ANY PERSON FROM ITS MEMBERSHIP OR PRACTICE ANY FORM OF 

DISCRIMINATION IN ITS FUNCTIONS BASED ON RACE, COLOR, NATIONAL ORIGIN, RELIGION, AGE, DISABILITY, SEX, GENDER 

IDENTITY, OR SEXUAL ORIENTATION?

15. b. DO ANY OF THE FOLLOWING APPLY TO YOUR EVENT? (X all that apply.) POLITICAL EVENT RELIGIOUS EVENT IDEOLOGICAL EVENT

16. REQUESTER'S REPRESENTATIVE (Please PRINT all contact information.)

a. NAME (Include Mr./Ms./Military Rank) b. ADDRESS (Street, City, State, ZIP Code)

c. PRIMARY TELEPHONE 

(Include area code)

d. ALTERNATE TELEPHONE 

(Include area code)

e. FAX NUMBER (Incl. area code) f. E-MAIL ADDRESS

SECTION III - REQUESTING ORGANIZATION SUPPORT DATA

17. See page 2, paragraph 3 before completing this section. Please answer the following questions ONLY for musical support requests. 

Is the requester offering to: (X appropriate box for each item.) YES NO

a. Fund the standard Military Services allowance for meals, lodging, and incidental expenses for Armed Forces participants?

b. Fund transportation costs, meals, and hotel accommodations for unit representatives to visit the site prior to the event?

c. Fund transportation costs from home station to the event and return for Armed Forces participants?

d. Fund transportation costs for Armed Forces participants between the site of the event and the hotel?
PREVIOUS EDITION IS OBSOLETE. DD FORM 2536 (BACK), JAN 2023

SECTION IV - CERTIFICATION

18. I am acting on behalf of the requesting organization and certify that the information provided above is complete and accurate to the best of my knowledge. I understand 

that representatives from the military services will contact me to discuss arrangements and costs involved prior to final commitments, or to inform me of their inability to 

support this event. I also understand that operational commitments must take priority and can preclude a scheduled appearance at an approved public activity.

a. SIGNATURE OF REQUESTER'S REPRESENTATIVE b. DATE SIGNED (YYYYMMDD) c. PRINT NAME AND TITLE

19. MILITARY PARTICIPATION (Explain the desired effects of U.S. military participation in this event, and how U.S. military participation in this event 

will be amplified via social media.)

20. REMARKS (Use this area to continue any items if necessary, for additional information on the event, etc. Reference by section and item number.)

INSTRUCTIONS

1. This form is used to request Armed Forces musical unit, personnel, color/honor guard, guest 

speaker and/or exhibit/equipment participation in public events. U.S. Military participation does 

not imply endorsement of the event or the organization hosting the event. Events may not be 

supported if they promote specific ideological positions or beliefs, current controversial topics, 

campaigns, or political posturing (direct or indirect) to lobby for a particular cause or legislative 

decision. The requested information is required to evaluate the event. Please complete all 

sections. 

2. Armed Forces musical units are organized for ceremonial and traditional purposes and to 

support recruiting activities. However, they may be authorized to provide certain specified 

presentations, such as patriotic ceremonies for public programs. Armed Forces musical 

organizations are not permitted to provide entertainment, background, dinner, dance or other 

social music at public or private events in competition with the customary or regular employment 

of local civilian musicians. Limited resources permit only one band and/or choir to perform 

at an event, and the Military Services reserve the right to cancel support to requesters 

who have scheduled more than one such military unit. 

3. Department of Defense (DoD) policies require that Armed Forces participation in public events 

will be provided at no additional cost to the Government, which means unprogrammed costs 

incurred solely because of participation in or support of an unplanned activity. For example, 

additional costs to the Government include unplanned travel and transportation, meals and 

lodging for military personnel away from Government mess, civilian per diem, and overtime pay. 

Unsolicited contributions of money, personal property, or services (e.g., gifts in kind for lodging, 

meals, transportation) may be accepted for the benefit of military musical units for events that 

align with the DoD's mission. All costs are binding after a unit, personnel, or exhibit has arrived at 

an event site, even though weather conditions or other unforeseen circumstances force the 

event to be cancelled. 

4. This form should be submitted to the appropriate Military Service (listed in right hand column)

not less than 30 days in advance of a scheduled program. Final determination will occur no 

earlier than 90 days in advance. Please realize that all Armed Forces units 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 DoD and the Military Services and 

does not interfere with mission or training programs. In all cases, operational commitments must 

take priority and can cause previously scheduled appearances to be cancelled. 

5. Additional forms may be obtained on the Internet at https://www.esd.whs.mil/Directives/forms/

dd2500_2999/. For legibility, event requesters are highly encouraged to fill out applicable 

information on-line prior to printing out the form. Submit forms through the nearest military 

installation public affairs office, or to any of the military public affairs offices listed to the right. If 

you have questions regarding information required on this form, please call the Directorate of 

Community Engagement in the Office of the Assistant to the Secretary of Defense for Public 

Affairs between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (703) 695-3845.

SUBMIT COMPLETED REQUEST FORM TO: 

The Public Affairs Office of the Military Installation closest to the event OR to the 

appropriate Military Service listed below: 

ARMY: 

Community Relations Division 

HQDA, Office of the Chief, Public Affairs 

1500 Army Pentagon, Room 1D470 

Washington, DC 20310-1500 

usarmyoutreach@army.mil

www.army.mil/comrel

U.S. MILITARY DISTRICT OF WASHINGTON: (For National Capital Region (NCR) 

and Federal Agencies only) 

Send public event requests inside the NCR to the MDW Communication Office via 

email: 

usarmy.mcnair.mdw.mbx.jtf-ncr-pao-web-events-omb@army.mil

Send public event requests from Federal agencies to the Ceremonial Directorate 

via email: 

usarmy.mcnair.mdw.mbx.jfhqncr-special-events-request@mail.mil

Website: 

https://mdwhome.mdw.army.mil/ceremonial-support/requesting-ceremonial-support

MARINE CORPS: 

For instructions on how to request Marine Corps assets, 

visit 

www.marines.mil/community 

(703) 614-1034 (voice) 

NAVY: 

Navy Office of Community Outreach 

5722 Integrity Drive, Bldg 456-3 

Millington, TN 38054 

(901) 874-5804 (voice) 

bandsupport@navy.mil

www.outreach.navy.mil

AIR FORCE: 

Office of the Secretary of the Air Force 

Office of Public Affairs (SAF/PA) 

1690 Air Force Pentagon 

Washington, DC 20330 

www.afoutreach.af.mil

Submit band requests online at 

www.outreachrequests.hq.af.mil

NATIONAL GUARD BUREAU: 

Submit requests to the State National Guard Public 

Affairs Office in the state where the event will take 

place. Contact information for State Public Affairs 

Offices is available online at 

http://www.nationalguard.mil/Resources/StateWebsites.aspx

REQUESTER: PLEASE RETAIN A COPY OF THIS FORM FOR FUTURE REFERENCE.