More of this Feature • Army Badges Menu

Join the Discussion Visit Our Message Forum

Related Resources • Army Awards & Decorations • Enlisted Job Descriptions • Officer Job Descriptions • Warrant Job Descriptions

DESCRIPTION.

a. Regular Size: Within an oval silver metal wreath of laurel, 2 1/4 inches in height and 2 inches in width overall, the shield of the United States (the chief in blue enamel and the 13 stripes alternating white and red enamel) superimposed on four gold metal unsheathed swords, two in pale and two in saltire with points to chief, the points and pommels resting on the wreath, the blades and grips entwined with a gold metal continuous scroll surrounding the shield with the word JOINT at the top and the words CHIEFS OF STAFF at the bottom, all in blue enamel letters.

b. Miniature Size: The miniature badge is 1 1/2 inches in height and 1 3/8 inches in width. The design is the same as the regular badge except the shield on the miniature has 9 stripes.

c. Lapel Button: The lapel button is 9/16 inch in height and 1/2 inch in width and is of the same design as the badges except the shield has 5 stripes.

SYMBOLISM. Laurel is symbolic of achievement, courage, and victory. The four unsheathed swords refer to the armed might of the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marine Corps and their combined constant vigilance and readiness in the defense of the United States.

AWARD ELIGIBILITY. Criteria for the award of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) Identification Badge are established by JCS Memorandum of Policy (MOP) 142.

DATE APPROVED. Proposed designs were prepared by The Institute of Heraldry and submitted to the Joint Chiefs of Staff on 21 February 1963. On 2 April 1963, the JCS approved a MOP, which established the JCS Identification Badge.