SF Form 153 COMSEC Material Report: Download & Guide 2026

SF Form 153 COMSEC Material Report: Download & Guide 2026 – The SF Form 153, officially titled the COMSEC Material Report, is a critical U.S. government standard form used to document and track Communications Security (COMSEC) material. COMSEC custodians, managers, and authorized personnel in the U.S. Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, and other federal agencies rely on it to maintain strict accountability for classified cryptographic materials, keys, equipment, and related items.

Proper use of the SF 153 ensures compliance with national security directives, prevents loss or compromise of sensitive materials, and supports seamless transfers, inventories, destructions, and hand receipts.

What Is SF Form 153 (COMSEC Material Report)?

Standard Form 153 (Rev. 9-88) is a multi-purpose accounting document prescribed by NACSI-4005 (National COMSEC Instruction). It serves as the primary voucher for recording transactions involving accountable COMSEC material.

The form is FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY unless otherwise classified and stamped. It tracks movements and status changes of COMSEC items such as:

  • Cryptographic keys and keying material (often marked CRYPTO)
  • COMSEC equipment and devices
  • Classified publications and manuals
  • Controlled Cryptographic Items (CCI)

Current revision: September 1988 (still the active version as of 2026 per GSA). Previous editions are obsolete.

Primary Uses of SF Form 153

The form supports several key transaction types. Check one (or specify “Other”) in the designated block:

  1. Transfer — Documents shipment or handoff of COMSEC material from one account/custodian to another.
  2. Inventory — Records physical counts and verification of holdings (often tied to semiannual inventory requirements).
  3. Destruction — Certifies the witnessed destruction of obsolete, superseded, or compromised material.
  4. Hand Receipt — Temporarily issues material to authorized local holders or users while maintaining overall accountability.
  5. Other — For specialized transactions as defined by service-specific instructions (e.g., receipt acknowledgment).

In practice, the SF 153 creates an unbroken chain of custody. The shipping custodian prepares it; the receiving custodian verifies the material, signs it, and returns a copy to close the transaction.

Key Sections of the SF 153 Form

Typical blocks include (refer to the official GSA PDF for exact layout):

  • Block 1: Type of report (Transfer, Inventory, Destruction, Hand Receipt, Other).
  • Transaction numbers (Outgoing/Incoming) and Date of Transaction.
  • From/To fields: COMSEC account numbers, organizations, and custodians.
  • Item details:
    • Short Title/Designator – Edition
    • Quantity
    • Accounting Numbers / Serial Numbers
    • Accounting Legend Codes (ALC) — Critical for determining accountability level:
      • ALC 1: Accountable by serial number.
      • ALC 2: Accountable by quantity.
      • ALC 3: Initial receipt required; then locally accountable by serial number.
      • ALC 4: Initial receipt required; may follow service/agency local control.
  • Remarks section for additional notes.
  • Signatures: COMSEC custodian or authorized representative, witness (when required, especially for Top Secret or Two-Person Integrity (TPI) material), and recipient.

For TPI material, additional dual signatures and separate handling are often mandatory.

How to Properly Complete and Process an SF 153?

Best practices drawn from DoD and service guidance (Army TB 380-41, Navy instructions, etc.):

  • Use the most current official form from GSA.gov or your service’s electronic COMSEC management system (e.g., EKMS, AKMS, or LCMS).
  • Ensure all entries are legible, accurate, and match physical material exactly (short titles, editions, quantities, serials).
  • Perform joint verification upon receipt: Inspect packaging, check seals, verify contents against the form, and conduct page counts for keying material.
  • For transfers: The recipient must sign and return the form (often within 48 hours for certain shipments) to relieve the shipper of responsibility.
  • Destruction reports require witnessing by appropriately cleared personnel and proper residue handling.
  • Maintain supporting records: Voucher control registers, inventory logs, and responsibility acknowledgment forms.
  • Retain copies per service or agency records disposition policies (typically until the second inventory after the transaction period).

Note on destruction: For certain NSA Classified Materiel Conversion (CMC) processes, a specific CMC Receipt for Destruction is used instead of (or in addition to) the SF 153. Always coordinate with your COMSEC Account Manager.

Importance of COMSEC Accountability

COMSEC material protects national security communications. Failures in accounting can lead to:

  • Security incidents or compromises
  • Loss of operational capability
  • Regulatory violations and audits

U.S. forces and contractors must follow strict procedures outlined in:

  • National COMSEC Instructions
  • DoD manuals and service regulations (e.g., AR 380-40, OPNAVINST, AFI, etc.)
  • EKMS/AKMS system requirements

Daily shift inventories, semiannual inventories, and immediate reporting of discrepancies are standard.

Download SF Form 153

Official source:
COMSEC Material Report (SF 153) – GSA.gov
Direct PDF: Available on the GSA page (Rev. 9-88).

Additional resources (U.S. Government users with proper access):

  • Your service’s COMSEC Central Office of Record or Account Manager
  • Electronic Key Management System (EKMS) portals
  • NSA or Defense Courier Service guidance for shipments

Provided download links (for reference; verify with official sources):

Always use the latest version from GSA or your authorized COMSEC system. Do not use outdated or unofficial copies.

Who Needs SF Form 153?

  • COMSEC Custodians and Alternate Custodians
  • COMSEC Managers and Account Holders
  • Personnel handling cryptographic key, CCI equipment, or accountable publications
  • Security managers supporting DoD, intelligence community, and cleared contractors

Training on COMSEC accounting is typically required before assuming custodian duties.

  • SF 701 / SF 702: Security container check sheets
  • DA Form 2653-E or equivalents: Daily shift inventory (Army example)
  • CMS-17 or local hand-receipt cards (in some systems)
  • Incident reporting forms for COMSEC compromises

For full procedures, consult your service-specific COMSEC regulation (e.g., TB 380-41 for Army traditional accounts) and work directly with your COMSEC Account Manager or Central Office of Record.

Bottom line: Accurate, timely use of the SF Form 153 COMSEC Material Report is essential for safeguarding America’s sensitive communications capabilities. Maintain strict chain-of-custody, verify everything, and document thoroughly.

For official guidance tailored to your unit or account, contact your COMSEC manager or servicing security office. This article provides general information based on publicly available U.S. government sources and is not a substitute for current classified instructions or official training.

Last updated reference: 2026 GSA and DoD-related publications.