United States Army Secretary of Defense Identification Badge

Criteria: The Secretary of Defense Identification Badge is presented to members of the U.S. Armed Forces who are permanently assigned to the Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD) and its subordinate offices, and in addition, to some of the Defense Agencies and Department of Defense Field Activities.

Upon its inception in 1949, the badge was originally referred to as the “National Military Establishment Identification Badge.” In 1950, the badge was renamed as the “Department of Defense Identification Badge.” On December 20, 1962 the badge was given its current name.

The identification badge is to be worn permanently for the remainder of an individual’s military career, provided that a service member served at least one year (two years for Reserve personnel not on active duty) in or in support of OSD.