DA Form 5965: Basis of Issue for CIE (Download)

DA Form 5965: Basis of Issue for CIE (Download) – U.S. Army soldiers, supply specialists, and acquisition professionals rely on DA Form 5965 to properly authorize, request, or modify the quantities and types of clothing and individual equipment (CIE) issued to personnel. This official Department of the Army form ensures soldiers receive the right gear for their mission, environment, and role while maintaining accountability and standardization across units.

What Is DA Form 5965?

DA Form 5965, titled Basis of Issue for Clothing and Individual Equipment (CIE), is a key document in Army supply and acquisition processes. It documents recommended allowances (quantities) for specific clothing and equipment items, often tied to Line Item Numbers (LINs), Common Table of Allowances (CTA) sections, and military occupational specialties (MOS).

The form supports:

  • Initial requests for new or revised basis-of-issue (BOI) allowances.
  • Change requests to existing authorizations.
  • Justification for impacts on MOS and equipment needs.

Latest Version: February 2011 (DA FORM 5965, FEB 11). Previous editions are obsolete.

Purpose and Importance in the U.S. Army

The Army uses DA Form 5965 under AR 70-1 (Army Operation of the Adaptive Acquisition Framework) to manage CIE acquisition and distribution. It helps:

  • Ensure soldiers have mission-essential clothing and equipment (e.g., extreme cold weather gear, protective items, or specialized uniforms).
  • Support basis-of-issue plans (BOIPs) for new or improved items.
  • Maintain standardization while allowing tailored allowances for different components (Active Army, ARNG, USAR, ROTC, etc.).
  • Facilitate proper budgeting, procurement, and inventory management through the Army supply system.

Accurate use of this form prevents over- or under-issuance, supports readiness, and complies with Army property accountability rules.

Who Uses DA Form 5965?

  • Unit Supply Personnel and commanders submitting requests for their units.
  • Acquisition and Logistics Professionals involved in clothing and individual equipment programs.
  • Program Managers and developers introducing new CIE items.
  • Central Issue Facilities (CIF) and property book officers managing Organizational Clothing and Individual Equipment (OCIE).

It applies across Active Army, Army National Guard, U.S. Army Reserve, and related components.

Key Sections of DA Form 5965

The one-page form includes fields such as:

  • Page numbering and request type (Initial Request or Change Request).
  • Date and approval details.
  • ORD Title (Ordnance or item title).
  • Requirement/Changes with columns for LIN, Item, BOI, and Remarks.
  • CTA Section No. references.
  • Allowances broken down by component (AA-P, AA-M, ARNG, ROTC, USAR, DAC).
  • MOS and Equipment Impact for justification.
  • LIN Replaced/Affected.

How to Obtain and Complete DA Form 5965?

  1. Download the Official Form: Get the latest fillable PDF directly from the Army Publishing Directorate.
    Download DA Form 5965 PDF Here
  2. Fill It Out: Use the fillable version for digital completion. Include clear justifications, supported LINs, and references to relevant CTAs or regulations.
  3. Submit: Route through your chain of command or appropriate acquisition channels per AR 70-1. Retain copies for unit records.

Tip: Always cross-reference with current CTA publications (e.g., CTA 50-900 for clothing) and consult your local CIF or G-4 logistics staff for guidance.

  • DA Form 3645 / 3645-1: Organizational Clothing and Individual Equipment Record.
  • DA Form 4886: Issue-in-Kind Personal Clothing Record.
  • AR 70-1: Governs use of this form in acquisition processes.
  • CTA 50-900 and other Common Tables of Allowances: Define standard clothing allowances.
  • OCIE guides from installation CIFs for wear and care policies.

Best Practices for U.S. Army Users

  • Submit requests early when new equipment or environmental needs arise (e.g., deployments to extreme climates).
  • Provide detailed justifications in the MOS/Equipment Impact section to speed approvals.
  • Maintain digital and physical records for audits and handovers.
  • Stay updated via armypubs.army.mil, as policies and forms can evolve with new acquisition frameworks.

Proper management of CIE through forms like DA Form 5965 directly supports soldier readiness, safety, and mission success.

Need the form right now?
Official DA Form 5965 Download