U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS)

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.

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.

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.

Symbolizm: 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.

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

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.

On a shield, 3/4 inch in height divided diagonally from upper left to lower right, the upper part blue and the lower part white, a gold color eagle between two white five pointed stars at the top and two blue five pointed stars at the base, with a gold color metal eagle displayed with wings reversed ½ inch in height placed above the shield.

The eagle on the shield is of the design of the eagle on the Department of the Defense seal. The background colors are the same as the flag designs for the positions. Light blue is the color normally associated with Department of Defense.

On a white white shield 3/4 inch in height divided diagonally with a blue center stripe from upper left to lower right, a gold color metal eagle between two five pointed stars at the top and two five pointed stars at the base (blue star on white and white star on blue), with a gold color metal eagle with wings reversed, ½ inch in height, placed above the shield.