Community Relations Requests
Our Community Relations program aims to foster and support a relationship between Marine Forces Reserve (MARFORRES) and local, state, and National communities.
The MARFORRES Communication Strategy Department is responsible for processing, determining eligibility, and approving every request for a Reserve unit to support.
If an organization or individual is interested in requesting support from a MARFORRES unit, they are required to submit either a DD-2535 or DD-2536 form. These forms are used by the Communication Strategy Department to help determine whether a request is eligible for support and to assist in coordinating details with the unit closest to the event location.
REQUEST FOR ARMED FORCES PARTICIPATION IN PUBLIC EVENTS (NON-AVIATION)
Thank you for considering including the U.S. Marine Corps Forces Reserve in your upcoming community event. We are a part of hundreds of parades, concerts, career fairs, and major sporting events every year. There are many ways the Marine Corps Reserve can provide support to your event, such as Color Guards, ground static displays (to include military vehicles and heavy equipment), musical unit performances, and guest speakers.
InSTRUCTIONS
1) Download and complete a Form DD-2536
2) Make sure the form is completely filled out then send it to smb_mfrcomrel@usmc.mil with the date and location of the
event in the subject line (i.e. Color Guard Request - 12 June 2026 - New Orleans, Louisiana)
Please do not mail or fax your completed DD Form 2536 since doing this will significantly increase processing time.
If you have any changes regarding the request after it has been submitted/deemed eligible (event dates, points of contact, emails, telephone numbers), you must directly communicate that to the community relations liaison at smb_mfrcomrel@usmc.mil.
Failure to report any changes to the original request may result in support for your event being canceled.
If you need any additional assistance please call 504-697-9301.
REQUEST FOR MILITARY AERIAL SUPPORT
1) Download and complete a Form DD-2535
2) Send the form to your local Flight Standards District Office (FSDO) for approval by the FAA (Airshows and Demos Only)
Link: https://www.faa.gov/about/office_org/field_offices/fsdo
3) Make sure the form is completely filled out then send it to smb_mfrcomrel@usmc.mil with the date and location of the
event in the subject line (i.e. Airshow Request - 12 June 2026 - New Orleans, Louisiana)
Please do not mail or fax your completed DD Form 2535 since doing this will significantly increase processing time.
If you have any changes regarding the request after it has been submitted/deemed eligible (event dates, points of contact, emails, telephone numbers), you must directly communicate that to the community relations liaison at smb_mfrcomrel@usmc.mil.
Failure to report any changes to the original request may result in aviation support for your event being canceled.
If you need any additional assistance please call 504-697-9301.
Form DD-2535
Note:
This form must be downloaded directly to a location on your computer. Once downloaded, it must be opened from within Adobe Reader.
To open the .pdf file:
- Download the file to your computer.
- Open Adobe Reader.
- In Adobe Reader, go to "File" > "Open" and select the downloaded file.
COMMUNITY RELATIONS REQUESTS - GOVERNANCE
All requests for Community Outreach are governed by DoD Instruction 5410.19 and Marine Corps Order 5720.77 (Chapter 6).
(DOD Instruction 5410.19, Volume 4 Community Outreach Activities: ceremonial, musical, and aerial event support)
(Link)
Please submit requests 90 days prior to the event date, to give the Communication Strategy Department sufficient time to determine eligibility and coordinate with the closest unit. Due to the operational tempo of Marine units, eligible events will still have to be accepted by the unit based on their availability.
What does the approval process look like?
If you are not contacted about availability of support for your event within two weeks of the event date, please call 504-697-9301. We respectfully request that you refrain from calling for an update on availability prior to two weeks out.
REQUEST FOR MARINE FORCES RESERVE BAND
If you are interested in instilling a sense of national pride and patriotism at your event with the musical styling of Marine Forces Reserve’s in-house band, please coordinate with the band directly through the link provided below.
Request Marine Forces Reserve Band Support