What does the gear like thing next to my name in halo 3 mean?

[simpsonfan93]

i have no idea what it means some people have it some dont

 

[erikespinosa_3000]

i have that too. it means that u r conneted 2 bungie. i hope i helped!

 

[drptastgood]

i have been told 2 things im not for sure
1 if you have more than one account on your xbox and 2 if you r one of the runner ups to be the host
o and one more thing its a xbox thing lol