When a request is made by an organization for Marine Corps assets, you as the event organizer are designated as the “sponsor” on the DD-2536. Please understand that events are covered based on availability of the unit to participate and will only be authorized when such support does not interfere with mission or training programs. In all cases, operational commitments take priority and can cause previously scheduled appearances to be cancelled. It is the sponsor’s responsibility to coordinate and keep a dialogue with the unit to ensure that circumstances don’t change and the unit is still able to attend the event in the days prior to your event.

Department of Defense policies require that Armed Forces participation in public events will be provided at no additional cost to the Government. The sponsor is required to pay, when necessary, the standard Military Services allowance for quarters and meals for all Armed Forces participants and for other services which have been determined in advance by the Military Services and agreed to by the sponsor. Transportation and meal costs are not usually incurred when support is provided from a local military installation. However, circumstances may dictate that reimbursement for any or all of these costs may be necessary. All costs are binding after a unit, personnel, or exhibit has arrived at an event site even though weather conditions or other unforeseen circumstances may force the event to be cancelled. Please note, 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.

For all international Marine Corps asset requests, please contact the Public Affairs office of the Unified Combatant Command in the respective area where the event will take place.

Those requests shall be forwarded through command channels to the ASD(PA) for approval. Approval shall be based upon program, sponsor, site, support criteria, and upon any recommendations or requests for an exception to a policy offered by applicable commanders.

Unified Combatant Command information

United States Central Command (CENTCOM) Community Relations

-Phone: 813-529-0402

-Email: CENTCOMCommunityRelations.mil@mail.mil

United States European Command (EUCOM) Public Affairs

-Phone: (Commercial) +49-07031-15-3598 (DSN) 314-431-3598

Please complete the information requested in the DD-2536 completely, as incomplete requests will not be processed.  Submit your request 30-90 days in advance in order to ensure the minimum amount of planning and coordination by the supporting unit to support your event. Submit your request form to a Marine Corps installation within 60 miles of your event location (see band locator map). If you are not within 60 miles of the Marine Corps installation, please submit your request to Marine Forces Reserve Community Relations at mfrcomrel@usmc.mil. Do not fax your request. To assure your request is received and processed in an expeditious manner, please include the asset requested, the date and location of the event in the subject line (i.e. Band Request-25July2016- Washington, D.C.). If you have not been contacted in 14 working days from your submitted request, please contact the nearest installation at the number listed in the locator map or MARFORRES COMREL at 504-697-8197 or 504-697-8308.