They are accessories on the uniform that indicate the status, position, merit or capabilities of the personnel. Their use is compulsory, both for those given by the Defence and those given by other Military Authorities.
Normally in metal, since 1st January 2000 a large number of badges have been substituted by "ribbon bars" of different colour that are more practical. They are ordered in relation to the meaning of the ribbon bar; for that reason there are badges of office, honour, merit, traditional, of instructor, of belonging. In each category the inter-force badges precede the Army badges that follow the other Armed Forces, the Navy, the Air Force, the Carabinieri and then the civil ones.