LESSON 1
IDENTIFICATION OF AMMUNITION BY
MARKINGS AND COLOR CODES
Critical Task: 03-4010.01-0002
OVERVIEW
Lesson Description
In this lesson you will learn to identify ammunition and components based on color codes, markings, or
packaging.
Terminal Learning Objective
Action:
You will be able to identify ammunition by general type and purpose based on package markings,
item markings, color codes, and symbols.
Condition:
This lesson contains all the information you need. This required information includes extracts from
TM 43-0001-series publications, TM 9-1300-200, and military standards (MIL-STDs). No additional
equipment or personnel are required.
Standard:
You will identify US military ammunition with 75 percent accuracy as demonstrated by your score on
the subcourse examination.
INTRODUCTION
Ammunition identification is a critical basic skill of all ammunition personnel. All of the major tasks accomplished
within a Class V storage activity (that is, a magazine area or an ASP) require the ability to identify ammunition
properly. There have been cases where misidentified ammunition (such as 105-millimeter high-explosive [HE]
rounds) has been issued to using units as practice ammunition. Such mistakes have resulted in needless injuries
and deaths.
AMMUNITION PACKAGE MARKINGS
In most cases, ammunition arriving at a storage facility through the supply system will arrive in factory packaging.
Depending on the type of ammunition, this packaging will be either wooden boxes, separate-loading projectile
pallets, or metal boxes or cans. Regardless of the packaging configuration, each individual container will be
stenciled with critical identifying information. The type of container involved may cause some exceptions to the
standard package markings; however, the markings will include the following critical information in most cases:
Standard nomenclature.
National stock number (NSN).
Department of Defense identification code (DODIC).
Lot number.
1-1
MM0145
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