DA Form 7539 PDF: Veterinary Lab Testing Request – DA Form 7539: Request for Veterinary Laboratory Testing & Food Sample Record is a key U.S. Army form used to submit food, water, and related samples for laboratory analysis to ensure food safety, quality, and compliance in military operations.
Military personnel, veterinary inspectors, and food service professionals rely on this form to document and request testing through authorized Department of Defense laboratories, such as the Defense Food Analysis and Diagnostic Laboratory (FADL).
What Is DA Form 7539 Used For?
DA Form 7539 serves as both a request for veterinary laboratory testing and a food sample record. It supports critical functions including:
- Suspected foodborne illness investigations
- Routine destination monitoring and contract compliance checks
- Sanitation audits and proximate analysis
- Customer complaints or returns involving foreign material
- Directed testing for special incidents
The form is governed by AR 40-657 (Veterinary/Preventive Medicine Services), with the Office of The Surgeon General (OTSG) as the proponent agency. The current version is DA FORM 7539, FEB 2005.
Who Uses DA Form 7539?
- U.S. Army Veterinary Command (VETCOM) personnel
- Food inspectors and preventive medicine teams
- Commissary and subsistence personnel
- Units submitting samples to DoD FADL or regional labs (e.g., in Hawaii, Korea, Bahrain)
- Anyone involved in military food safety and quality assurance programs
It ensures proper chain of custody, traceability, and documentation for samples from producers, manufacturers, or vendors.
Key Sections of DA Form 7539
The two-page form captures essential details:
Page 1:
- Submitting unit (Block 1)
- Point of Contact (Block 2)
- Control Number (Block 3)
- Destination Laboratory (Block 4)
- Producer/Manufacturer details, including establishment/plant codes and VC# (Block 5)
- Reason for Submission (Block 6) — e.g., suspected foodborne illness, routine, contract compliance
- Sample selection source and dates (Block 7-8)
- Shipment temperature conditions (Block 9) — critical for sample integrity (room temp, frozen, chilled with pilot)
- Inspector and Accountable Officer signatures (Blocks 10-11)
- Remarks section for additional incident details (Block 12)
Page 2:
- Detailed sample information for up to 6 samples (or more with additional pages): Submitter Sample Number, Description, Brand Name, UPC, Weight/Volume, Quantity, Cost, Disposition
- Laboratory use only sections for receipt, analysis type (Chemistry/Microbiology), and report numbers
Important: Use a separate DA Form 7539 for samples from each different manufacturer or processing facility.
How to Fill Out and Submit DA Form 7539? (Step-by-Step Guidance)
Detailed block-by-block instructions appear in official guides like the DoD FADL Sample Submission Guide (TG 361). Key tips include:
- Complete the form accurately, preferably via VSIMS (Veterinary Services Information Management System) when available.
- Match control numbers and project IDs with any accompanying forms (e.g., LOD Form 1 or DA Form 4137 for chain of custody).
- Provide precise manufacturer/plant address from the production site (not just corporate office).
- Include UPC codes fully and accurate sample descriptions.
- Note shipment temperature and use temperature pilots for chilled samples.
- For suspected illness cases, document customer complaint history in remarks.
Samples must ship under proper temperature conditions to prevent degradation. Laboratories require matching hard copies with submissions.
Download DA Form 7539 PDF
Official Download:
DA Form 7539 PDF (U.S. Army Publishing Directorate)
Additional resources:
- Defense Food Analysis and Diagnostic Laboratory (FADL) website for forms, guides, and submission instructions.
- DoD FADL Sample Submission Guide (TG 361) for comprehensive procedures.
Why Proper Use of DA Form 7539 Matters?
Accurate completion protects service members by ensuring timely detection of contaminants, verification of supplier compliance, and support for food safety investigations. It maintains traceability in the military supply chain and helps uphold high standards for troop subsistence.
For the latest guidance, always refer to current AR 40-657, FADL resources, or your local veterinary/public health command. Policies and submission requirements can update, so check official Army or Defense sites for the most current information.