The US Government Accountability Office report highlighted the FGM-148 Javelin, this one being fired by a US Marine from 3rd Littoral Combat Team, as being one of the munitions at risk (Picture: US Department of War)

Weapons and Kit

US Marine Corps beefs up security of ammunition – seven years after warning

The US Marine Corps has finally joined other branches of the country's armed forces by bolstering security in the wake of a report that found serious lapses in the way physical checks of ammunition were being carried out.

But while the other services took remedial action shortly after receiving the warning, it's taken the corps a full seven years to respond.

The US Government Accountability Office (GAO) report, which was published on 5 November 2018, acknowledged how the Department of Defence stores all of its ammunition in secure locations.

However, it pointed out how Category I ammunition – such as ready-to-fire non-nuclear missiles like the Javelin – was especially lethal and needed additional security.

It determined that some physical inspections of ammo stocks were not being conducted on time in accordance with military service guidance.

The GAO reviewed 125 US Army, US Navy and US Marine Corps inspection reports from select locations and found that 54 inspections – 43% – were late, by anything from one day to 14 months.

It said: "We reviewed DOD's Category I ammunition storage in select domestic locations and found that the military services did not conduct some storage location security inspections on time [and] did not consistently document whether all identified security deficiencies were resolved.

"We recommended the services take action to ensure these inspections follow existing policy and that DOD revise guidance on documenting security deficiencies."

It did not specify which services were at fault or what had been put at risk, citing security concerns.

The Javelin anti-tank weapon is used by numerous countries, including the UK — The Javelin man-portable anti-tank weapon is used by numerous countries, including the UK (Picture: MOD)

While other branches of the US military acted on the recommendations of the report, it seems the Marine Corps chose to brush the advice aside.

At least until now.

A MARADMIN (Marine Administration) document dated October 2025 brings the USMC up to date with its own security protocols regarding the physical security of its arms, ammunition and explosives.

It admitted: "Recent Government Accountability Office (GAO) audits resulted in findings that required annual physical security surveys of AA&E facilities were not conducted or completed in accordance with Department of War (DoW) and Marine Corps policies."

All ammunition - whether live or blank like the 7.62mm belted rounds being carried by this GPMG gunner from 3 Scots - is treated to the strictest accounting procedures in the UK Armed Forces — All ammunition – whether live or blank like the 7.62mm belted rounds being carried by this GPMG gunner from 3 Scots – is treated to the strictest accounting procedures in the UK Armed Forces (Picture: MOD)

The document added: "Aboard Marine Corps sites, physical security surveys will be conducted by a trained and certified Physical Security Specialist from the Provost Marshal's Office (PMO)/Marine Corps Police Department (MCPD)."

The UK Armed Forces take firearm and ammunition storage extremely seriously, carrying out regular checks at specific times of the day.

A physical count is made of all weapons in an armoury, for example, cross-referencing with those that have been withdrawn for use on operations, on a range or exercise as well as any additions from visiting units.