Military Emergency Management Specialist Badge The Military Emergency Management Specialist Badge ( MEMS Badge ) is awarded by the State Guard Association of the United States ( SGAUS ) and is authorized for wear by various agencies , notably State Defense Forces . Created in 1998 , the program is structured around the Federal Emergency Management Agency ' s National Incident Management System ( NIMS ) and Incident Command System ( ICS ) . Curriculum . The MEMS program curriculum includes online Federal Emergency Management Agency ( FEMA ) NIMS and ISC courses offered free of charge through FEMA ' s Emergency Management Institute ' s ( EMI ) Independent Study Program . In addition to online FEMA courses , students are required to complete operational practicums that incorporate the learning objectives of the online FEMA courses . The MEMS Academy curricula are based on the idea of developing areas of common knowledge required at different levels of responsibility in emergency response and use accepted , validated courses available throughout the nation . The principle behind the several MEMS curricula is that individuals with Basic MEMS qualification will have operational understanding of the principles of emergency management , including mitigation , preparedness , emergency response and recovery and have knowledge , skills and abilities needed to effectively work within a comprehensive emergency management operation . Those with Senior and Master level qualification will be able to lead and plan incident response efforts of increasing complexity . Requirements . Certification in the MEMS program consists of three levels : basic , senior , and master , with traditional military style badges awarded to students upon completion of each level . In addition to the badges , those students who participate in operational missions may be awarded a distinctive flash , which is worn behind the badge . Participation in the MEMS program is free for current members of the SGAUS ; however , nonmembers are required to pay a fee to defray program costs . Once awarded , the badge is permanent . Basic . To qualify for the Basic MEMS Badge , an individual must meet the following requirements : Senior . To qualify for the Senior MEMS Badge , an individual must meet the following requirements : Master . To qualify for the Master MEMS Badge , an individual must meet the following requirements : MEMS Command and Staff College . For a short time , there was a MEMS Command and Staff College operated by the SGAUS . Students who successfully completed this program were awarded the MEMS Command and Staff College Unit Citation . Design . The MEMS Badge depicts the historic United States Civil Defense eagle of World War II rampant on a bound laurel wreath , the ancient symbol for victory . The badge is authorized in basic , senior , and master levels . The Senior MEMS Badge has a five pointed star added above the eagle . The Master MEMS Badge has a five pointed star in a circular laurel wreath added above the eagle . The MEMS skill badges are worn in accordance with applicable military regulations . The badges are available in full - sized and miniature - sized silver , high - gloss metal finish , as well as in full - sized subdued black metal finish . For the older BDU ' s , there are full - sized subdued black or white on olive drab sew - on patches . For the current ACU ' s , there are full - sized subdued sew - on patches .