SUBJ: INTERIM CHANGE TO RETIREMENT RECOGNITION AUTHORIZATION LIMIT
A. FINANCIAL RESOURCE MANAGEMENT MANUAL, COMDTINST M7100.3 (SERIES)
1. IN ORDER TO MAINTAIN CONSISTENCY ACROSS THE ORGANIZATION, REF A,
(SECTION 5.K.24) SETS A LIMIT ON THE AMOUNT OF APPROPRIATED FUNDS
THAT MAY BE EXPENDED ON AN AWARD ITEM FOR RETIREMENT CEREMONIES. IN
ADVANCE OF A PENDING CHANGE TO REF A, THIS AMOUNT IS HEREBY
INCREASED TO 335 DOLLARS. THIS CHANGE IS BEING MADE TO ACCOUNT FOR
THE INCREASE IN COSTS FOR TRADITIONAL RETIREMENT RECOGNITION ITEMS,
SUCH AS SHADOW BOXES, THAT HAVE OCCURRED SINCE THIS AMOUNT WAS LAST
UPDATED. TO ENSURE THE AUTHORIZED LIMIT REMAINS REFLECTIVE OF COSTS
IN THE MARKETPLACE, THIS AMOUNT IS NOW TIED TO THE DEFINITION OF
MINIMAL VALUE FOUND IN 41 CFR 102-42. THIS AMOUNT IS ADJUSTED EVERY
THREE YEARS BY THE ADMINISTRATOR OF GENERAL SERVICES TO REFLECT
CHANGES IN THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEX. IF THE ADMINISTRATOR OF
GENERAL SERVICES ADJUSTS THE DEFINITION OF MINIMAL VALUE IN THE
FUTURE, THE NEW GSA DEFINITION SUPERSEDES THE RETIREMENT
RECOGNITION AUTHORIZATION CONTAINED IN REF A.
2. DISCRETION SHOULD BE USED WHEN SELECTING AN ITEM FOR RETIREMENT
RECOGNITION TO ENSURE THE ITEM APPROPRIATELY RECOGNIZES THE
CONTRIBUTION THE RETIREE HAS MADE TO THE SERVICE AND COUNTRY.
AUTHORIZED ITEMS INCLUDE PLAQUES, SHADOW BOXES, PEN SETS, DESK
MEDALLIONS AND CERTIFICATES.  MORE THAN ONE ITEM MAY BE AWARDED SO
LONG AS THE TOTAL VALUE OF ITEMS PRESENTED DOES NOT EXCEED THE
AUTHORIZED LIMIT.
3. ANY QUESTIONS CONCERNING THIS CHANGE IN POLICY SHOULD BE
DIRECTED TO LT ESTEVEZ AT (202)372-3656 OR FRANCISCO.A.ESTEVEZ AT
USCG.MIL.
4. RDML KEITH TAYLOR, ASST. COMDT FOR RESOURCES AND CHIEF FINANCIAL
OFFICER, SENDS.
5. INTERNET RELEASE AUTHORIZED.