The DoD's policy on packaging and preservation is to provide maximum protection at the lowest cost. Military packaging is defined as packaging for items that will be transported and/or stored within the Military Distribution System. The term "military packaging" is used to describe packaging of materiel that has been developed in compliance with MIL-STD-2073-1, DoD Standard Practice for Military Packaging or specific military specifications. The term "commercial packaging", on the other hand, is broadly used to describe packaging that is not military packaging. Commercial packaging is developed at a supplier's discretion, sometimes tailored to meet a customer's specific needs. It may conform to industry consensus standards or it may simply represent the supplier's experience with shipping and handling of the product.
There is extensive packaging information also available in the PHS&T Section of the DAU Logistics Community of Practice (LOG CoP) Integrated Product Support (IPS) Element Site.
