AUTHORITY TO AWARD DAMAGED PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT TO MEMBERS SEPARATING FROM THE ARMED FORCES AND VETERANS AS MEMENTOS OF MILITARY SERVICE.

SEC. 623. AUTHORITY TO AWARD DAMAGED PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT TO MEMBERS SEPARATING FROM THE ARMED FORCES AND VETERANS AS MEMENTOS OF MILITARY SERVICE. (a) In General.—Chapter 152 of title 10, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new section: “SEC. 2568a. [10 U.S.C. 2568a] Damaged personal protective equipment: award to members separating from the Armed Forces and veteran “(a) In General.—The Secretary of a military department, acting through a disposition service distribution center of the Defense Logistics Agency, may award to a covered individual the demilitarized PPE of that covered individual. The award of PPE under this section shall be without cost to the covered individual. “(b) Definitions.—In this section: “(1) The term ‘covered individual’ means— “(A) a member of the armed forces— “(i) under the jurisdiction of the Secretary concerned; and “(ii) who is separating from the armed forces; or “(B) a veteran who was under the jurisdiction of the Secretary concerned while a member of the armed forces. “(2) The term ‘PPE’ means personal protective equipment that was damaged in combat or otherwise— “(A) during the deployment of a covered individual; and “(B) after September 11, 2001.” . (b) [10 U.S.C. 2551] Clerical Amendment.—The table of sections at the beginning of chapter 152 of such titleis amended by adding at the end the following new item: “2568a. Damaged personal protective equipment: award to members separating from the armed forces and veterans.” .