Our Insignia


National Security Agency Insignia

When NSA was established in 1952 it had no emblem; the new organization simply used the Department of Defense emblem. William F. Friedman, the father of modern American cryptology, suggested to the Director, LTG Ralph Canine, in 1955 that there be a design competition for an NSA emblem, but the idea was not accepted.

NSA adopted its own emblem, the first of two, in 1963. There is no information available as to the origin or design of that first emblem; its earliest noted use was on the cover of the February 1963 newsletter. The second emblem, the one still in use today, first appeared in September 1966.

The second emblem was designed under the instructions of LTG Marshall Carter, who became Director in June 1963. As the designer, Richard Nachman of the Agency's graphic design branch, recalls it, he was summoned one day in 1965 to the Director's office and asked to design a new emblem -- "something unique" was his only guidance. After researching heraldry at the Library of Congress, he prepared the new emblem; LTG Carter approved it on the spot. There was no special announcement or ceremony for the new emblem.

NSA First Emblem 1963

The most interesting feature of the new emblem was the substitution of the words "United States of America" for "Department of Defense." This was done because LTG Carter believed NSA should emphasize its national mission and should de-emphasize its mission and position within the Department of Defense. NSA has retained the "Carter emblem" ever since.

The NSA flag carries a representation of the emblem and was designed about a year later. It was designed arbitrarily by Mr. Nachman when the Director requested a flag. Apparently, no effort was made to imbue the flag with any special symbolism.

According to Mr. Nachman, the final choice of colors for the NSA emblem was made for aesthetic reasons rather than symbolic ones -- the particular combination and shades of red, white, and blue looked good together. However, these colors do carry heraldric meaning: white represents purity, blue stands for vigilance, perseverance, and justice, while red denotes valor.

Central Security Service Insignia

In 1996, NSA Director Lt Gen Kenneth A. Minihan, USAF, requested an emblem be created which represented both the National Security Agency and Central Security Service. Although NSA had its own emblem, one had not yet been made for CSS. As a result, the emblem was designed and adopted in that year.

The Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2002, enacted 28 December 2001, amended the National Security Act of 1947 and codified the USCG as part of the Intelligence Community. The new CSS seal was created in September 2002 to reflect the transformations taking place within the Intelligence Community and NSA/CSS, particularly the admission of the United States Coast Guard into the United States Cryptologic System.

Updated in 2022, the seal now displays all six of the Service Cryptologic Components, which are comprised of the United States Fleet Cyber Command, the United States Marine Corps Director of Intelligence, the United States Army's Intelligence and Security Command, the 16th Air Force representing both United States Air Force and United States Space Force services, and the US Coast Guard Deputy Assistant Commandant for Intelligence. Each are equally balanced around a six point star on which is centered the symbol of NSA/CSS, who provides the funding, direction, and guidance to all of America's SIGINT activities.

The House of Representatives recognized the USCG's national security objectives in the areas of maritime interception operations, port operations security and defense, military environmental response operations, and peacetime military engagement. The USCG is the only organization responsible for law enforcement, intelligence, and military activities simultaneously. Section 10 of the Authorization added the USCG as an element of the Intelligence Community and placed this organizational element on a par with those of other armed services and agencies.

 



National Security Agency Emblem



National Security Agency First Emblem 1963
 




Central Security Service Insignia




Central Security Service Insignia