The Presidential Service Badge (or "PSB") is a military badge of the uniformed services of the United States which is awarded to members of the U.S. military and personnel of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Commissioned Corps and the United States Public Health Service Commissioned Corps who serve as full-time military staff to the President of the United States.
Executive Order 10879 of June 1, 1960 was signed by President Dwight D. Eisenhower establishing a White House Service Badge. President Lyndon B. Johnson retired the White House Service Badge and issued a separate Presidential Service Badge by signing Executive Order 11174 on September 1, 1964.
Typical recipients include:
- Military aides to the President appointed from each of the services (pay-grade O-4 or higher) who, among other duties, rotate being the so-called "Emergency War Officer" with "The Football", a briefcase containing nuclear decision-making tools kept within ready access of the president at all times,
- White House military public affairs officers,
- Servicemembers assigned to the White House Communications Agency (WHCA), which supports Presidential communications worldwide,
- Servicemembers assigned to the White House Transportation Agency (WHTA), which provides motor vehicle transportation to the White House as directed by the White House Military Office,
- "Air Force One" Airmen assigned to the Presidential Airlift Group (PAG) Andrews AFB, Maryland
- Marine Helicopter Squadron 1 (HMX-1) "Marine One" flight crew,
- Marines assigned to the Marine Security Company at Camp David.
The PSB is awarded after at least one year of satisfactory service "to any member of the Armed Forces assigned to duty in the White House Office or to military units and support facilities under the administration of the Military Assistant to the President by the Secretary of the Army, the Secretary of the Navy, the Secretary of the Air Force, or, when the Coast Guard is not operating as a service in the Navy, the Secretary of Homeland Security, upon recommendation of the Military Assistant to the President". It is accompanied by a certificate and miniature lapel version. The PSB is recorded in the awardee's military service records and is authorized for wear as a permanent decoration.
Recipients are the only Americans authorized to wear the "Presidential Seal or Coat of Arms" on their uniforms and civilian clothes. Since 1964, with the enactment of Presidential Executive Order 11174, over 20,000 U.S. armed services members and veterans have received the Presidential Service Badge for honorable service in the White House.
A similar badge, the Vice Presidential Service Badge, exists for military personnel assigned to assist the Vice President of the United States.
Read more about Presidential Service Badge: Presidential Service Association
Famous quotes containing the words presidential, service and/or badge:
“The Republican Vice Presidential Candidate ... asks you to place him a heartbeat from the Presidency.”
—Adlai Stevenson (1900–1965)
“Whatever events in progress shall disgust men with cities, and infuse into them the passion for country life, and country pleasures, will render a service to the whole face of this continent, and will further the most poetic of all the occupations of real life, the bringing out by art the native but hidden graces of the landscape.”
—Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–1882)
“Just across the Green from the post office is the county jail, seldom occupied except by some backwoodsman who has been intemperate; the courthouse is under the same roof. The dog warden usually basks in the sunlight near the harness store or the post office, his golden badge polished bright.”
—Administration for the State of Con, U.S. public relief program (1935-1943)