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NEWS | Aug. 2, 2022

Small Arms: Deployment and Pre-Embarkation Checks

BLUF: Pre-embarkation checks on unit weapons are only good for 90 days.

M2 .50-caliber machine gun
Photo by Kevin Fleming

Dear Half-Mast,

My unit is getting ready to deploy. We’ve been researching technical bulletins, manuals and Army regulations to find out how long pre-embarkation checks are good for. We didn’t find the answer.

Can you assist?  
 
SSG S.E.

Dear Sergeant S.E.,

Sure! Here’s what the Small Arms Team at TACOM has to say. The time frame for pre-embarkation checks isn’t spelled out in writing, but the pre-embarkation checks are only good for 90 days. Any longer will require another inspection because the quarterly inspections outlined in the weapon TMs will be overdue after 90 days.
 
Also, take your unit’s firing schedule into consideration before conducting the pre-embarkation checks. If your unit is inside the 90-day deployment window and still has an extensive firing schedule, you should wait to do pre-embarkation checks after the firing range events are done. This will prevent excessive wear to weapon parts.
 
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