Title 10 — Armed ForcesRelease 119-73not60

§2261 Presentation of Recognition Items for Recruitment and Retention Purposes

Title 10 › Subtitle Subtitle A— General Military Law › Part IV— SERVICE, SUPPLY, AND PROPERTY › Chapter 134— MISCELLANEOUS ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS › Subchapter II— MISCELLANEOUS ADMINISTRATIVE AUTHORITY › § 2261

Last updated Apr 3, 2026|Official source

Summary

Under rules set by the Secretary of Defense, money from the Defense budget may be used to buy small recognition items to help recruit or keep people in the armed forces. Examples include coins, medals, trophies, badges, flags, posters, paintings, or similar items worth less than $50 each. These items can be given to service members and to family members or others whose support substantially helps someone serve. When applying section 520c and its implementing rules, giving these recognition items counts as a recruiting activity, and people who get them are treated as targets of recruiting efforts.

Full Legal Text

Title 10, §2261

Armed Forces — Source: USLM XML via OLRC

(a)Under regulations prescribed by the Secretary of Defense, appropriated funds may be expended—

(1)to procure recognition items of nominal or modest value for recruitment or retention purposes; and

(2)to present such items—

(A)to members of the armed forces; and

(B)to members of the families of members of the armed forces, and other individuals, recognized as providing support that substantially facilitates service in the armed forces.

(b)For purposes of section 520c of this title and any regulation prescribed to implement that section, functions conducted for the purpose of presenting recognition items described in subsection (a) shall be treated as recruiting functions, and recipients of such items shall be treated as persons who are the objects of recruiting efforts.

(c)In this section, the term “recognition item of nominal or modest value” means a commemorative coin, medal, trophy, badge, flag, poster, painting, or other similar item that is valued at less than $50 per item and is designed to recognize or commemorate service in the armed forces.

Legislative History

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Editorial Notes

Amendments

2006—Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 109–364 struck out heading and text of subsec. (d). Text read as follows: “The authority under this section shall expire December 31, 2007.”

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

10 U.S.C. § 2261

Title 10 — Armed Forces

Last Updated

Apr 3, 2026

Release point: 119-73not60