DD Form 2393 Destination Verification Inspection – DD Form 2393, officially titled “Destination Verification Inspection of Standard/Variable Net Weight Items,” is a Department of Defense form used to document net weight verification inspections performed at destination for subsistence items. The current edition is dated December 1, 1988, and is managed by the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA).
This form records the results of inspections conducted by Destination Quality Assurance Representatives (DQARs) on standard net weight items (packages with identical marked weights) and variable net weight items (packages with differing marked weights). It supports accurate quantity determination and helps protect U.S. government interests in the military food supply chain.
Official form information is maintained by the Washington Headquarters Services Executive Services Directorate. For the latest status, visit the official DD Form 2393 page.
Purpose and Scope of Destination Verification Inspection
According to DLA Troop Support Manual 4155.6, Subsection 218.7 (October 2011), the purpose of these inspections is to verify the marked or required net weight of subsistence items procured under DLA Troop Support contracts upon delivery at destination (Class 4 inspection).
The procedures apply specifically to DQARs performing on-delivery inspections. They ensure that the quantity received matches contractual requirements and help identify shortages, overages, or mismarked units that could affect payment, inventory accuracy, and operational readiness for U.S. military forces.
This process does not apply to net weight verification of fresh dairy products, which follows separate U.S. Army or Air Force directives.
When DD Form 2393 Is Required?
DQARs perform net weight verification and record results on DD Form 2393 under these conditions:
- Whenever there is suspicion that a grossly mismarked sample unit (10% or more short or overweight) may not be an isolated occurrence.
- When a 100% inspection does not create excessive workload or cause unwarranted product destruction.
- As part of destination inspection procedures outlined in DLA Troop Support Manual 4155.6, Subsection 218.1 for quantity verification when shortage, gross error, or fraud is suspected.
Completed DD Form 2393 is filed with local inspection records and is not routinely forwarded to DLA Troop Support elements unless specifically requested.
Key Definitions Used with DD Form 2393
Understanding these terms from the official DLA guidance is essential for accurate completion:
- Standard Net Weight Items – Products packed in containers with the same marked or required net weight (for example, 60-pound shipping containers or 5-pound packages).
- Variable Net Weight Items – Products packed in units that do not share the same marked or required net weight.
- Grossly Mismarked Sample Unit – A unit found to be 10% or more shortweight or overweight.
- Average Unit Net Weight Shortage – Total net weight shortage of all sample units weighed, divided by the number of sample units weighed (calculated to four decimal places).
- Significant Net Weight Shortage – A shortage whose total dollar value exceeds acceptable risk limits defined in the DLA manual tables.
- Tally-In – The total sum of marked net weights or number of units recorded by receiving personnel.
How to Perform Net Weight Verification Inspections?
DLA Troop Support Manual 4155.6 provides clear procedures that must be followed before recording results on DD Form 2393:
Scale Requirements
Scales must rest on a solid foundation and be verified against known test weights before use. Formal calibration is required at least once every calendar quarter. Minimum scale sensitivity depends on the weight range of the sample units (for example, ½ lb sensitivity for items greater than 75 lb; 1/8 oz sensitivity for items of 1 oz or less).
Determining Tare Weights
If tare weights on containers or documents are missing or suspect, the DQAR establishes them using a minimum of ten sample units (or 100% for lots under ten units) when the product remains serviceable. For items that become unserviceable, smaller samples are used. Glaze on water-packed foods is included in tare; bandage material on cheeses is excluded when delivered intact.
100% Verification vs. Sampling
When 100% inspection is performed, every unit is weighed and the total actual net weight is compared with the tally-in quantity. If a shortage exists after rounding, further evaluation determines whether it is significant. When sampling is used, sample sizes follow the tables in the DLA manual or contractual requirements, whichever is more stringent.
How to Complete DD Form 2393?
Results of all net weight verification inspections must be recorded on DD Form 2393. Key information typically captured includes:
- Identification of the shipment, contract, and lot
- Description of the item (standard or variable net weight)
- Scale used and calibration status
- Tare weight determinations
- Individual and total actual net weights
- Comparison with marked/required weights and tally-in quantities
- Calculation of average unit net weight shortage (to four decimal places)
- Determination of whether any shortage is significant
- Inspector identification and date
The form serves as the official record supporting any subsequent adjustment, claim, or nonconformance report.
Download DD Form 2393
You can download the current official version of DD Form 2393 here:
If the direct link is unavailable, contact the Defense Logistics Agency Forms Management Office at [email protected] or check the official ESD forms page for the latest availability.
Importance for U.S. Military Subsistence Supply Chain
Accurate net weight verification protects taxpayer dollars, ensures troops receive the full contracted quantity of food, and maintains the integrity of the Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support subsistence program. Shortages that go undetected can lead to inventory discrepancies, financial adjustments, and potential impacts on operational readiness.
By following the procedures in DLA Troop Support Manual 4155.6 and properly documenting results on DD Form 2393, Quality Assurance personnel across U.S. installations help uphold the high standards required for military food safety and accountability.
Related Official Resources
- DLA Troop Support Quality Assurance Publications – Source of Subsection 218.7 and related inspection manuals
- DoD Forms Management Program – Official repository for all DD forms
- Defense Logistics Agency – Primary agency responsible for subsistence contracting and quality assurance
This article is based on official Department of Defense and Defense Logistics Agency publications current as of the latest available guidance. Always verify the most recent form edition and procedures with your local Quality Assurance office or DLA Troop Support before conducting inspections.