Every item of equipment listed in Table of Authorized Material (TAM) has a specific alphanumeric number known as a TAM Control Number (TAMCN) (NAVMC 1017), which is used to identify a specific item within the Marine Corps inventory. The TAMCN is also used in the table of equipment (T/E).

The TAMCN consists of

• commodity designator: A-E (Type 1, "mandatory"), H-N (Type 2 "as required"), T-X (Type 3)
  • Communications-Electronics: A, H, T
  • Engineer: B, J, U
  • General Supply: C, K, V
  • Motor Transport: D, M, W
  • Ordnance: E, N, X
  • HQMC: F, G, Q, R, Y, Z
  • Not used: I, L, O
  • other
    • Subsitance: S
    • Petroleum, Oil, and Lubricants: P
• item designator: 4-digit number
• class of supply
  • major: numeric, roman or arabic
    • I: Subsistence
    • II: Organizational Equipment and Supplies
    • III: Petroleum, Oil, and Lubricants
    • IV: Construction (no subclass)
    • V: Ammunition
    • VI: Personal Demand Items (no subclass)
    • VII: Major End Items
    • VIII: Medical (no subclass)
    • IX: Repair Parts
    • X: Materiel to Support Nonmilitary Programs (no subclass)
  • sub:
    • A: Air
    • B: Ground Support Materiel
    • C: Combat Rations
    • D: Administrative Vehicles
    • E: General Supplies
    • F: Clothing and Textiles
    • G: Electronics
    • K: Tactical Vehicles
    • L: Missiles
    • W: Weapons
    • N: Special Weapons
    • R: Refrigerated Subsistence
    • S: Nonrefrigrated Subsistence (Less Combat Rations)
    • T: Industrial Supplies
    • W: Ground (Surface)

References

• http://www.marines.mil/unit/marforres/MFRHQ/G1/Adjutant/G-1%20Adjutant%20Directives/Force%20Orders/ForO%20P8000.1A.pdf
• http://www.marines.mil/unit/marforres/MFRHQ/G1/Adjutant/G-1%20Adjutant%20Directives/Force%20Orders/Force%20Order%20SSIC%208000/ForO%208000.1B%20-%20STANDING%20OPERATING%20PROCEDURES%20FOR%20GROUND%20ORDNANCE.pdf
• http://www.marines.mil/unit/tecom/mces/Documents/UIC/U-02A03%2520SO%2520Table%2520of%2520Equipment.doc
• http://www.marines.mil/news/publications/Documents/MCO%20P4400.150E%20W%20ERRATUM%20AND%20CH1-2.pdf
• http://www.logcom.usmc.mil/merit/MRIPT/6a%20Promg%20MCBUL3000%20FY03.pdf
• http://www.lejeune.usmc.mil/mccsss/schools/los/files/lessons/BLESC/B103.pdf
• http://www.marcorsyscom.usmc.mil/sites/pmice/Operations/STAP/CATALOG/STAP%20CATALOG.xls