Presidential Service Badge (PSB)

While working on my "Military Insignia 3D" project, I often get requests from active duty personnel. I always try my best to help out, depending on my workload at the time. One of my most recent requests came from a very interesting duty station. As a result, I have pushed aside my other stuff, and sank teeth into this one. And you will see why. It was a very exciting project, since I had to deal with some of the best-looking pieces of insignia ever produced. And, without further ado, here they are…

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,
• 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) 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". 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. 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.

The Vice Presidential Service Badge 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 uniformed service aides to the Vice President. It was established under Executive Order 11544 by President Richard Nixon on July 8, 1970 and was modified by President Gerald R. Ford on July 19, 1976 under Executive Order 11926.
Uniformed service personnel eligible to receive the Vice Presidential Service Badge are active-duty members of the military, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and the Public Health Service who are posted to the Office of the Vice President, located in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building next to the West Wing of the White House. Such personnel include military public affairs officers, security specialists, and liaison specialists from the various branches of the U.S. military, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and the Public Health Service.
The Vice Presidential Service Badge is considered a permanent decoration and is authorized for continued wear throughout a uniformed service career, even when one no longer serves the Vice President. The badge is very similar to the Presidential Service Badge, authorized for uniformed service personnel assigned to the staff of the President of the United States. Recipients are the only Americans authorized to wear the "Vice Presidential Seal or Coat of Arms" on their uniforms or civilian clothes.

The White House Service Badge was a short lived military insignia which was issued between the years of 1960 and 1964 for United States armed forces military personnel stationed at the White House in a variety of duties.
Executive Order 10879 of June 1, 1960 authorized the creation of a White House Service Badge with further military regulations stating that the badge may be entered into permanent military service records upon completion of a White House tour of duty. President Lyndon B. Johnson retired the White House Service Badge just after four years, and created a separate Presidential Service Badge (with different award criteria) by signing Executive Order 11174.



The above information provided in part by Wikipedia, The Institute of Heraldry, Global Security, and the official websites of the corresponding units and formations.