The Office of the Secretary of Defense Medal for Exceptional Civilian Service is the highest level career medaled award presented by the Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD) to civilian employees of the U.S. Department of Defense. It recognizes sustained exceptional performance and contributions to national security, specifically to OSD as a whole or to a specific OSD Component. Nominees must have served a minimum of three years in an organization receiving operational support from the Washington Headquarters Services' Directorate for Personnel and Security Customer Support Operating Office, the Joint Staff, or a combination thereof. The award consists of a medal, lapel pin, and citation signed by the Secretary of Defense or head of an OSD Component. Subsequent awards include bronze, silver, or gold palm devices on the ribbon. It is distinct from the Department of Defense Medal for Distinguished Public Service, which is for non-career civilians, private citizens, and foreign nationals.