§ 4561. Rations

(a) The President may prescribe the components, and the quantities thereof, of the Army ration. He may direct the issue of equivalent articles in place of the prescribed components whenever, in his opinion, economy and the health and comfort of the members of the Army so require.

(b) Under the direction of the Secretary of the Army, the branch, office, or officer designated by him shall issue the components of the Army ration.

(c) An enlisted member of the Army on active duty is entitled to one ration daily. The emergency ration, when issued, is in addition to the regular ration.

(d) Fresh or preserved fruits, milk, butter, and eggs necessary for the proper diet of the sick in hospitals shall be provided under regulations prescribed by the Surgeon General and approved by the Secretary.

(Aug. 10, 1956, ch. 1041, 70A Stat. 255.)

Historical And Revision

Historical and Revision Notes
Revised section	Source (U.S. Code)	Source (Statutes at Large)
4561(a) 4561(b)   4561(c)   4561(d)	10:724. 10:1195a (as applicable to issue). 10:716b. 10:725. 10:726.	R.S. 1141 (as applicable to issue); June 28, 1950, ch. 383, § 402(a), 64 Stat. 272. Feb. 2, 1901, ch. 192, § 40, 31 Stat. 758.
		R.S. 1293; July 16, 1892, ch. 195 (last 15 words before proviso under “Subsistence of the Army”), 27 Stat. 178.
		Mar. 2, 1907, ch. 2511 (1st proviso under “Subsistence Department”), 34 Stat. 1165. R.S. 1175.

In subsection (a), the words “the components, and the quantities thereof” are substituted for the words “the kinds and quantities of the component articles”. The words “substitutive” and “a due regard” are omitted as surplusage.

In subsection (b), the words “the components of the Army ration” are substituted for the words “such supplies as enter into the composition of the ration”.

In subsection (c), the words “on active duty” are inserted for clarity. The words “under such regulations as may be prescribed by the Secretary of the Army”, in 10:725, are omitted, since the Secretary has inherent authority to issue regulations appropriate to exercising his statutory functions. The words “or reserve”, “prescribed for use on emergent occasions”, and “furnished”, in 10:725, are omitted as surplusage.

In subsection (d), the words “Such quantities of” and “may be allowed” are omitted as surplusage.

Miscellaneous

Delegation of Authority

Authority of President under subsec. (a) of this section to prescribe uniform military ration applicable to Army delegated to Secretary of Defense by section 3(a) of Ex. Ord. No. 12781, Nov. 20, 1991, 56 F.R. 59203, set out as a note under section 301 of Title 3, The President.