For decades, the Department of Defense (DoD) has used military munitions in training for combat; during combat; in munitions testing; and in weapons research, development, testing, and evaluation. Military munitions include all ammunition products and components produced for or used by DoD for national defense and security. After DoD uses the munitions for their intended purposes, the munitions may leave behind explosive, health and environmental hazards. Munitions response sites (MRS) are discrete locations that are known or suspected to contain unexploded ordnance (UXO), discarded military munitions, or munitions constituents.

DoD established the management structure and initial program requirements for the Military Munitions Response Program (MMRP) in the September 2001 Management Guidance for the Defense Environmental Restoration Program. DoD modeled the MMRP after its Installation Restoration Program -- the program in which environmental restoration activities are conducted -- allowing it to apply lessons learned from decades of experience under that program. The Management Guidance also requires Components to identify and establish an inventory of MRS, evaluate hazards posed at those locations, and conduct required munitions responses.

Please visit the MMRP Library and Archives for guidance, fact sheets, and additional information regarding UXO and military munitions at closed, transferring, and transferred ranges.

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