Department of Defense
INSTRUCTION
NUMBER 1348.34
September 1, 2011
USD(P&R)
SUBJECT: Presidential Recognition on Retirement from Military Service
References: (a) DoD Instruction 1348.34, “Presidential Recognition on Retirement from
Military Service,” September 13, 1989 (hereby cancelled)
(b) DoD Directive 5124.02, “Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and
Readiness (USD(P&R)),” June 23, 2008
(c) White House Memorandum, “Appreciation Certificates for Military
Retirements,” March 2, 1989
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1. PURPOSE. This Instruction reissues Reference (a) consistent with the authority in Reference
(b) to establish policy, assign responsibilities, and provide procedures for conveying the
appreciation of the President to Military Service members upon their retirement, in accordance
with Reference (c).
2. APPLICABILITY. This Instruction applies to OSD, the Military Departments, the Office of
the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and the Joint Staff, the Combatant Commands, the
Office of the Inspector General of the Department of Defense, the Defense Agencies, the DoD
Field Activities, and all other organizational entities within the DoD (hereinafter referred to
collectively as the “DoD Components”). As used herein, the term “Military Services” refers to
the Army, the Navy, the Air Force, and the Marine Corps.
3. POLICY
. It is DoD policy that:
a. A DD Form 2542, “Certificate of Appreciation for Service in the Armed Forces of the
United States:”
(1) Shall be presented to each member retiring from the Military Services after serving
20 or more years and attaining eligibility to receive retired pay.
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Available upon request from the Office and Enlisted Personnel Management Directorate, Office of the Deputy
Assistant Secretary of Defense for Military Personnel Policy, Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for
Personnel and Readiness
