Items Less Than $5 Million

The Items Less Than $5 Million (LT5M) line item in the Navy's FY2026 budget supports a range of niche ammunition and related requirements for Marine Corps units. This program is part of the broader appropriation for Procurement of Ammunition, Navy & Marine Corps, specifically under Marine Corps Ammunition. The primary objective is to address specialized needs that do not fall under larger, more standardized procurement lines. This ensures operational readiness and flexibility for unique missions and teams.

Funding for rifle team ammunition is allocated to procure match-grade ammunition and components for the Marine Corps Competition Shooting Team. This includes the acquisition of precision ammunition and loading equipment through small purchase orders and the government purchase credit card. The goal is to support competitive marksmanship programs, which enhance shooting proficiency and promote excellence within the Corps. These purchases are justified by the need for specialized ammunition types not available through standard bulk procurement contracts.

Drug interdiction funds are provided by the Office of the Secretary of Defense to support Marine Corps counter-drug operations. These resources are used in the year of execution to procure ammunition and related items necessary for drug interdiction missions. The objective is to ensure that Marine units engaged in counter-narcotics activities have immediate access to the appropriate ammunition. This supports national security and law enforcement efforts.

First Destination Transportation Charge (FDTC) funding covers the costs associated with distributing Marine Corps ammunition from manufacturing plants and assembly points to end users. This includes transportation, fuel, and packaging expenses, which have increased due to inflation and market conditions. The objective is to guarantee timely and efficient delivery of ammunition to operational units, minimizing delays and ensuring mission readiness. The FY2026 budget reflects an increase in transportation costs, justifying the higher funding request compared to previous years.

Marine Security Guard Battalion (MSGB) ammunition is procured to meet the specific needs of Marine Security Guard units, which protect U.S. embassies and diplomatic facilities worldwide. These requirements are fulfilled through coordination with the U.S. State Department, ensuring that Marine Security Guards have the necessary ammunition to perform their protective duties. The objective is to maintain the safety and security of U.S. personnel and assets abroad.

Special Purpose MAGTF-Crisis Response funding supports ammunition needs for Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Forces (MAGTFs) assigned to crisis response missions. These units require specialized ammunition types for rapid deployment and contingency operations. The goal is to ensure that crisis response forces are equipped to handle a variety of scenarios, from humanitarian assistance to combat operations, with appropriate ammunition stocks on hand.