Which items typically require a hand receipt or sub-hand receipt?

• A. Items issued to a group or sub-unit.
• B. Items not expected to change hands.
• C. Items disposed.
• D. Items on loan to civilians.

Answer: (A)

Hand receipts are the formal document that assigns accountability for government property to the person or organizational element that will use it. When property is issued to a group or sub-unit, such as a platoon or shop, a hand receipt (and often sub-hand receipts within the unit) is used to track who is responsible for the items, their condition, location, and return or replacement. This creates a clear chain of custody and keeps the unit’s property book up to date with who holds what.

In contrast, items that are not expected to change hands don’t require a hand receipt because there’s no ongoing transfer of custody to track. Items that are disposed are removed from the property books through disposal procedures rather than kept under a hand receipt. Items on loan to civilians are typically managed through separate loan agreements rather than a standard unit hand receipt.