Amendments to Executive Orders Relating to Certain Certificates and Badges
This executive order (EO 14131, signed December 19, 2024) updates and harmonizes the rules governing two longstanding honors tied to service in or for the White House: the Presidential Service Certificate and Presidential Service Badge (from EO 12793, amended by EO 13286) and the Vice Presidential Service Badge (from EO 11926, amended by EO 13286 and EO 13373). The changes continue the awards but clarify eligibility, awarding authority, and wear requirements, and they add a rule preventing a person from receiving both a Presidential Certificate and a Vice Presidential Certificate for the same period of service. The order also expands and clarifies the conditions for the Vice Presidential Service Badge, including when it may be awarded and how it may be worn. The order emphasizes that these honors are non-enforceable privileges (not rights) and are to be implemented in accordance with existing law and appropriations. It maintains that the badges and certificates are designed to recognize service to the White House and Vice President, with the appropriate Secretary of the relevant military department (or DHS/Commerce/HHS in specified cases) issuing the certificates and badges, and specifies wear rules for the badges as part of official uniforms.
Key Points
- 1Presidential Service Certificate and Presidential Service Badge continue to exist, including who is eligible and which Secretary issues them. The certificate can be awarded to members of the U.S. Uniformed Services connected to the White House Office or related executive office roles, with specific issuing authorities. It cannot be issued to someone who already holds a Vice Presidential or similar EOP certificate for the same period.
- 2Eligibility requirement for the Presidential awards remains at least 1 year of service in the relevant White House or EOP-related assignment, with the issuing authority generally being the Secretary of the applicable military department (or DHS for Coast Guard when not operating under Navy control) or the corresponding Commerce/HHS secretaries for certain corps.
- 3Vice Presidential Service Badge is established and continues to be awarded to military personnel who have been assigned to duty in the Office of the Vice President for at least 1 year, or who have performed duties predominantly for the Vice President for a period of at least 1 year after specified dates (December 19, 1974, and, for duties after January 20, 2001, under the relevant references).
- 4Awarding and wear rules for the Vice Presidential Service Badge are clarified: it may be awarded by the Secretary of the applicable military department (or DHS in certain cases), and the badge may be worn on the uniform during and after duty in the Office of the Vice President, with appropriate regulatory guidance.
- 5General provisions reaffirm that the order does not impair existing authorities, is subject to applicable law and appropriations, and does not create enforceable legal rights.