Presidential Service Badge

The Presidential Service Badge (or "PSB") is an identification badge of the United States Armed Forces which is awarded to members of the U.S. Army, U.S. Navy, U.S. Air Force, U.S. Marine Corps, and U.S. Coast Guard as well as other members of the Uniformed Services, such as the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Commissioned Corps and the U.S. 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,^[1][2]
• The White House Naval Mess Facility (Presidential Food Service) Located in The West Wing of The White House and The OEOB.
• 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,
• Servicemembers assigned to the White House Medical Unit (WHMU) which provides medical support to President, Vice President and their families as well as the White House Staff.
• "Air Force One" Airmen assigned to the Presidential Airlift Group (PAG) of the 89th Airlift Wing at Andrews AFB, Maryland
• Naval personnel assigned to the Camp David Facilities.
• 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".^[3] It is accompanied by a certificate and miniature lapel version. The PSB is recorded in the individual'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.^[4] 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.

Presidential Service Association

The Presidential Service Association is a non-profit organization for United States armed services personnel and veterans who have received the Presidential Service Badge by serving in the White House in Washington, D.C., United States. The organization was created to provide a network of personnel, to construct a history of their service and to demonstrate the traditions and pride of that service. It furnishes scholarships, grants or crisis funds for United States armed services personnel and veterans who served in the White House prior to or after the creation of the White House Service Certificate, the Presidential Service Badge/Certificate or the Vice Presidential Service Certificate/Badge. President Dwight D. Eisenhower called the decoration a symbol of "...deserved honor and distinction." Each recipient has their name linked to a serial number held at the White House.

See also

• Vice Presidential Service Badge
• Identification Badges of the United States Military
• Military badges of the United States
• Yankee White

References

1. ↑ Military aides still carry the president's nuclear 'football', USATODAY.com
2. ↑ Contrary to popular conception, the President cannot order a nuclear launch by himself, see Single Integrated Operational Plan.
3. ↑ Executive Order 10879--Establishing the Presidential Service Certificate and the Presidential Service Badge
4. ↑ About the Presidential Service Association, http://presidentialservice.org

• History of the PSB
• Presidential Service Association

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