---
kind: "section"
citation: "10 U.S.C. § 2261"
title: "10"
title_heading: "Armed Forces"
number: "2261"
heading: "Presentation of recognition items for recruitment and retention purposes"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/10/2261"
units:
  - "Subtitle A — General Military Law"
  - "Part IV — Service, Supply, and Property"
  - "Chapter 134 — Miscellaneous Administrative Provisions"
  - "Subchapter II — Miscellaneous Administrative Authority"
---

# §2261. Presentation of recognition items for recruitment and retention purposes

- (a) **Expenditures for Recognition Items.—** Under regulations prescribed by the [Secretary](/usc/10/4951.md?p=3) 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](/usc/10/101.md?p=a-4); and
    - (B) to members of the families of members of the [armed forces](/usc/10/101.md?p=a-4), and other individuals, recognized as providing support that substantially facilitates service in the [armed forces](/usc/10/101.md?p=a-4).
- (b) **Provision of Meals and Refreshments.—** For purposes of [section 520c of this title](/usc/10/520c.md) and any regulation prescribed to implement that section, [functions](/usc/10/467.md?p=1) conducted for the purpose of presenting recognition items described in [subsection (a)](#a) shall be treated as recruiting [functions](/usc/10/467.md?p=1), and recipients of such items shall be treated as [persons](/usc/10/2700.md?p=2) who are the objects of recruiting efforts.
- (c) **Recognition Items of Nominal or Modest Value.—** 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](/usc/10/101.md?p=a-4).

## Source credit

(Added Pub. L. 109–163, div. A, title V, § 589(a)(1), Jan. 6, 2006, 119 Stat. 3279; amended Pub. L. 109–364, div. A, title V, § 594, Oct. 17, 2006, 120 Stat. 2235.)

## Notes

### 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.”