Office of the Secretary of Defense Identification Badge - Definition and Overview

The Office of the Secretary of Defense Identification Badge is a U.S. military badge of the Department of Defense issued to members of the U.S. military who are permanently assigned as military aides to the Secretary of Defense in the Department of Defense.

Personnel who are awarded the Secretary of Defense Identification Badge include military aides to the Secretary of Defense, senior flag and general officers assigned to the The Pentagon, as well as the service chiefs and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Members of the Joint Chiefs of Staff also receive the Office of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Identification Badge.

The Office of the Secretary of Defense Identification Badge was first created in 1949 and was referred to as the "National Military Establishment Identification Badge." In 1950, the badge was renamed as "Department of Defense Identification Badge" and adopted its current name on December 20, 1962.

The Office of the Secretary of Defense Identification Badge is issued as a permanent decoration and to be worn for the remainder of an individual's military career, provided that a service member served at least one year of duty in the Office of the Secretary of Defense.