A recent address to the military by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is drawing attention on social media, with users saying the event’s backdrop resembled iconography from the Third Reich.

In an October 3 address at the United States Air Force Academy, Hegseth stood before a crowd of cadets in front of a monochromatic backdrop featuring a redesigned logo for the Department of War (DOW)—a secondary title for the Department of Defense (DOD)—which many on social media have likened to Nazi Germany imagery.

Featuring a simplified version of the DOD’s traditional seal, the image has drawn comparisons to Nazi Germany’s eagle symbol, which positions the bird’s wings horizontally—just like the logo behind Hegseth—contrasting with other agency seals that feature the bald eagle’s wings opened in a V shape, such as the presidential seal.

It’s worth noting that the seal’s eagle has remained in the horizontal position since 1949, when the DOD was first created, with an approval last year to change the seal’s title to reflect the proposed DOW name.

The seal’s design is officially outlined in Appendix VI Joint Army and Air Force Bulletin No. 23.

But the eagle’s position aside, a series of changes to the official seal, which appear to run afoul of the department’s own brand guide, may be contributing to the imagery users are recognizing on social media.

The redesigned logo is missing features from the official DOD seal, like the contrasting encircling band around the eagle, and a wreath of laurel and olives beneath the eagle.

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