When must inventories of personal property be conducted?

Inventories of personal property must be conducted annually or upon a change of hand receipt holder as stipulated in AR 735-5. This requirement ensures that accountability for government property is maintained and that all items are properly tracked and managed.

Conducting an inventory annually helps organizations keep accurate records of property on hand and facilitates accountability within the unit. Additionally, when there is a change in hand receipt holder, it is crucial to perform an inventory to confirm that all property is accounted for and to transition responsibility between individuals properly. This process supports transparency and reduces the risk of lost or misplaced property.

Other choices, such as conducting inventories every six months or anytime property is acquired, do not align with the stringent accountability policies set forth in AR 735-5. Similarly, inventories conducted only upon request by headquarters would not ensure ongoing accountability and could leave gaps in property management and oversight that are critical in military operations.