The Thomas Jefferson (TJ) Awards Program recognizes military and civilian
employee communication professionals for outstanding achievement in
furthering the objectives of the Department of Defense communication
programs. It operates under the aegis of the Office of the Assistant to the
Secretary of Defense for Public Affairs. The program is named after Thomas
Jefferson, the nation's third president and author of the Declaration of
Independence. Jefferson appreciated the importance of news and the free flow
of information to the proper functioning of government and society.