Serving Those Who Serve Our Country

Sponsored by the Department of Defense

Authorized Provider Partnership Program
(AP3)

The National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) of FY 2000 as amended by Sections 561 and 564 of the NDAA for FY 2002, Section 571 of the NDAA for FY 2003, and Section 662 of the NDAA for FY 2006 states that all eligible veterans are entitled to Military Funeral Honors and reflects the extensive deliberations conducted on Military Funeral Honors (MFH). In response to this legislation, the Department of Defense (DoD) provides a two-person funeral detail to honor eligible deceased veterans upon request. At least one service member must be from the deceased veteran's parent Military Service. The other may be from the same Service or another Military Service. The legislation also requires the playing of Taps. If a bugler is unavailable, a high-quality recorded version may be used. Any veteran who served in the Armed Forces and received a discharge under other than dishonorable conditions is eligible for MFH.

In addition to requiring a two-person detail to provide MFH, the law also recognizes the valuable role that members of Veteran's Service Organizations (VSO) play in honoring our veterans. Section 1491(b) of Title 10, United States Code authorizes members of VSO, as well as other approved organizations, to participate with the Military Services in providing Funeral Honors.

The DoD initiated a program, known as the Authorized Provider Partnership Program (AP³), that focuses on using volunteers. This program trains volunteers to assist in providing MFH as "Authorized Providers." AP³ is designed to promote cooperation between the DoD and VSO in delivering MFH. Volunteers can augment a DoD detail in several ways including participation as firing party members, pallbearers and honor guard members, in addition to flag folding and as a bugler for the sounding of Taps. It is important to note that the law stipulates that Authorized Providers can only be provided reimbursement or the daily stipend when they participate with the military in rendering Funeral Honors.

With respect to reimbursement, the laws read that the Secretary of a military department may provide either transportation (or reimbursement for transportation) and expenses or the daily stipend (designed to defray the costs for transportation and other expenses) for a person who participates in the Funeral Honors detail and is not a member of the armed forces or an employee of the United States. In order to be eligible for this allowance, or expense reimbursement, volunteers must be requested by the respective Military Service to participate in the Funeral Honors detail. Honors provided for veterans when called solely by a funeral home do not qualify for reimbursement. The request for VSO, or other volunteers, to participate in Military Funeral Honors must come from a Military Honor Guard Unit in order to qualify for reimbursement.

Standard Form 1164 "CLAIM FOR REIMBURSEMENT FOR EXPENDITURES ON OFFICIAL BUSINESS" can then be filed for reimbursement with the requesting honor guard unit.
Members of organizations who have an interest in assisting in the MFH ceremony, should contact the military units in their area.

Recognition as an Authorized Provider is Service-specific. In order for a VSO member or other volunteer to be recognized as an Authorized Provider to participate in a Funeral Honors ceremony for a veteran of any Service, as well as be eligible for any form of support, he/she must receive training from that Service. Recognition by one Service does not suffice for the other Services.

Training and Recognition. The DoD knows that many organizations have long provided high quality and respectful Military Funeral Honors for our veterans. The purpose of the training is to ensure that when military units and VSOs perform a Funeral Honors ceremony together, that it is a well-coordinated and dignified event. The Service will have the lead. It's important that everyone knows where to stand, what the cues are, and the proper sequence of events. After VSO members or other volunteers have been trained, the military unit will properly recognize them as Authorized Providers and present them with a Certificate of Recognition signed by the Secretary of Defense and the Honor Guard Unit Commander. The new Authorized Provider will also be presented an Authorized Provider Partnership Lapel Pin to wear on his/her uniform. A sample is provided below:

	Authorized Provider Partnership Lapel Pin
Certificate of Recognition

The Certificate of Recognition does not imply 'certification' of a Military Funeral Honors provider. The holder of this certificate does not have any authority to place initials (e.g., CMFHP for Certified Military Funeral Honors Provider) following his/her name on stationary, resumes, business cards, or other representation of qualifications, or to make representation that he/she is certified by the Department of Defense (DoD).
The Authorized Provider Partnership Lapel Pin symbolizes the time-honored tradition of providing a properly folded American flag to the family of the veteran. It identifies the wearer as a trained and recognized Military Funeral Honors provider.
For more information about AP³, go to http://www.mfhcmdrs.osd.mil/.

Service Regulations related to the purchase of uniforms and accessories by veterans for ceremonial wear during a military funeral

Army

Only Army veterans who are Disabled American Veterans (DAV) honorably discharged with 100 percent disability or Medal of Honor recipients can purchase Army uniforms. With proof, such as DD Form 214, veterans in either category are entitled to purchase class A uniforms (including accessories), footwear and undergarments through an Army Military Clothing Sales Store. These veterans can also call the Army and Air Force Exchange Service toll-free at 1-800-768-3204 to order uniforms by phone. Other Army veterans may contact an Army installation's Adjutant staff to request exceptions.

Navy and Marine Corps

Navy veterans and former Marines can call the Navy-Marine Corps Uniform Program in Chesapeake, Virginia at 1-800-368-4088 to begin the process of purchasing appropriate dress uniforms. Other uniforms are not authorized. They will be asked to provide their DD Form 214 prior to receiving the uniforms in the mail. Alternatively, veterans can use their DD Form 214 to gain admittance to Navy or Marine Corps Exchanges for the express purpose of purchasing uniforms for ceremonial wear.

Air Force

Veterans honorably discharged or separated from the Air Force under honorable conditions are permitted to buy selected uniform items authorized for active duty personnel from AF Military Clothing Sales Stores (MCSS) after obtaining permission from the Installation commander or a representative. This authorization is restricted to unique uniforms and accessory items required for a specific occasion; that is, the utility uniform is not to be sold to separated personnel needing a blue dress uniform. Items commonly available from commercial sources, such as black socks, white underwear, handkerchiefs, black dress shoes, etc., are not authorized for sale to those separated personnel. The veteran must present discharge papers and other identification to the MCSS representative at the time of purchase as required by the installation commander.
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