(3) Look at Figure 1-8. There are six errors on DA Form 3997. Can you see them. Look at
blotter entry number 3. Using Appendix D-1, UCMJ codes, you can see that larceny of private property
is Article 121 of the UCMJ, not Article 112. This can make a big difference if this case is referred to the
courts for trial purposes. Also in entry 3, subject data and date are missing. In entry 5, the desk sergeant
did not initial or have his name typed in. In this example who would be responsible for the blotter
entry? Is it C Carter, or P. Harris? In entry 6, there is no UCMJ after the charge. What is the code? Use
Append D-1 to find out. Article 112a is correct. Also, in this blotter entry, look at the Summary of
Action Taken column. You will see that DA Form 4137 is listed before DA Form 3975. Since there are
so many errors on page one of the blotter, you may need to provide training for your desk personnel.
Remember, DA Form 3997 is one of the most important MP forms you are going to review. It is wise to
stress the importance of the MP desk blotter to your personnel.
4.
DA Form 3998 - Military Police Desk Reference.
a. The desk reference card is a companion form to the MP desk blotter (DA Form 3997). The
DA Form 3998 is an index card containing the names of persons identified on the blotter as subject,
victim, complainant, or witness. MP personnel who are involved in a law enforcement role are
excluded. Persons authorized by local SOP to request name checks from the PMO receive the data from
the desk reference cards. Dissemination of data guidelines are in AR 190-45.
b. The top portion of the card should include the name (last name first), pay grade, SSN, unit,
and duty station (location). If the person is a dependent, then the reference card should include spouse's
duty station and residence address. You will need to check with local SOP as to the necessary
information for dependents and nonmilitary personnel involved in MP incidents.
c. Information in the blotter entry section will correspond to the desk blotter. The reference
card will include blotter entry number, date entered on blotter, the type of incident, relationship of the
person to the case, and the MP report number (MPR). Later entries are added to the same form. If a
person is involved in several incidents, all the entries will be chronologically listed on the one desk
reference card. When the front and back are filled, the continuation can be on a new card. For easy
filing and to maintain accurate records, the continuation reference card can be stapled to the original
card. The disposition of a change should be indicated on the DA Form 3998 and when the individual
was titled as a subject.
d. A persistent problem with reference cards is that a new card is begun before finding out if a
card for that person is already on file. When reviewing MP desk procedures with your personnel, it is a
good idea to stress that the desk clerk check the file before typing reference cards.
e. Figure 1-9 is a sample of an MP desk reference card, DA Form 3998. This example is of a
PFC Dale E. Harrison who has been involved in three incidents. To read the information on this card,
start with the first line
1-13
MP2003
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