Military Bus Agreement

II-12. Contingencies. The Carrier will, during any period of emergency as determined by the
Secretary of Defense or his designee, give priority consideration to military missions. When
concurrent shipments of small arms ammunitions in the baggage compartment of commercial
busses transporting troops is determined mission essential by the responsible commander, the
requirement furnished to Headquarters SDDC will specify by type and quantity any weapons,
ammunition, or other hazardous items which will be moved and whether they will be handcarried
or packed as impedimenta. The following conditions apply for transporting small arms
ammunition on commercial busses:
a. Cartridges for weapons under 11 pounds may be carried within a passenger’s checked
baggage, provided it is in the manufactures’ original package or securely boxed and
stowed in the bus cargo section which is inaccessible to passengers. Weapons stowed in
the baggage compartment must be assembled, unloaded and containerized crew service
weapons (M-60, 50 Cal, etc.) must be transported in baggage compartment and securely
locked.
b. Commercial busses under exclusive-use for military personnel can carry shoulder fired
and side arm weapons aboard passenger compartment of bus conducted for the military
forces of the United States if firearms are unloaded and all bolts locked in the open
position. The weapons safety switch must be in a safe position. For M-16 weapons, an
inserted flag safety stick may be used to lock the bolt in proper position and allow visual
inspection. The Unit commander or officer in charge will notify the appropriate carrier
personnel that weapons will be carried aboard the bus.
c. For shipment, cartridge for weapons shall be packed in accordance with 49 CFR 173.230,
and may be transported as ORM-D. These items will be limited to:
(1) Ammunition for rifle, pistol or shotgun;
(2) Ammunition with inert projectiles or black ammunition;
(3) Ammunition having no tear gas, incendiary, or detonating explosive projectiles;
(4) Ammunition not exceeding 12.7mm (50 caliber or 0.5 inch) for rifle or pistol,
cartridges or 8 gauge for shotshells.
d. Packing cartridges for small arms as ORM-D material in CONUS must be as follows:
(1) Ammunition must be packed in inside boxes, or in partition which fits snugly in the
outside packing, or in metal clip;
(2) Primers must be protected from accidental initiation;
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