Badges of the United States Navy
Insignias and badges of the United States Navy are military badges issued by the United States Department of the Navy to naval service members who achieve certain qualifications and accomplishments while serving on both active and reserve duty in the United States Navy. Most naval aviation insignia are also permitted for wear on uniforms of the United States Marine Corps.
As described in Chapter 5 of U.S. Navy Uniform Regulations,[1] badges are categorized as breast insignia (usually worn immediately above and below ribbons) and identification badges (usually worn at breast pocket level).[2] Breast insignia are further divided between command and warfare and other qualification.[3]
Insignia come in the form of metal pin-on devices worn on formal uniforms and embroidered tape strips worn on work uniforms. For the purpose of this article, the general term "insignia" shall be used to describe both, as it is done in Navy Uniform Regulations. The term "badge", although used ambiguously in other military branches and in informal speak to describe any pin, patch, or tab, is exclusive to identification badges
The modern day United States Navy currently maintains the following breast insignia and badges:
Breast insignia
Command
The Command at Sea insignia is for commissioned officers between the ranks of Lieutenant (O-3) and Captain (O-6) who are in or have been in command of a ship or operational fleet air unit. The Command Ashore/Project Manager insignia is for officers who are or have been commanding officer of a naval installation, a shore-based command (to include non-deploying air commands), or in charge of a major program or project (the latter being primarily in the Naval Air Systems Command or Naval Sea Systems Command).
An incumbent officer wears insignia on the right breast; in full dress it is worn 1⁄4 inch (6.4 mm) above the nametag.
A post tour officer wears the insignia on the left breast 1/4 inch below the top of the pocket/flap. If a warfare or qualification insignia is already occupying that position, it is then worn 1/4 inch below that insignia, or on uniforms with pocket flaps, 1/4 inch below the flap. Women in full dress will wear post tour command insignia 1/4 inch above the left pocket, medals or primary breast insignia. Only one post tour command insignia may be worn.[6]
Warfare and Other Qualification
Warfare and Other Qualification insignia are awarded for completing qualifications in various fields within the Navy. They are worn on the left side of the uniform in the primary position (for one insignia), or the primary and secondary position (for two insignia).[4] Only two of this class of breast insignia may be worn at one time.
- The primary position is centered above ribbons or medals with the lower edge of the device 1/4 inch above the top row of ribbons or medals. When no ribbons or medals are worn, it is centered above the left pocket with the lower edge of the device 1/4 inch above the top of the pocket.
- The secondary position is centered 1/4 inch below the top of the pocket or pocket flap, when ribbons or no awards are worn. When medals are worn, centered below medals with the top of the device 1/4 inch below the lowest row of medals.[7]
Warfare and Other Qualification insignia are grouped in the following categories (in alphabetical order):[4]
Warfare Qualification | Other Qualification |
---|---|
1) Naval Aircrewman | 11) Integrated Undersea Surveillance System |
2) Aviation Warfare Specialist | 12) Nuclear Weapons Security |
3) Explosive Ordnance Disposal Warfare | 13) Officer In Charge/Petty Officer in Charge |
4) Fleet Marine Force (FMF) | 14) Parachutists |
5) Information warfare | 15) Submarine Patrol |
6) Seabee Combat Warfare Specialist | 16) Underwater |
7) Special Operations | |
8) Special Warfare | |
9) Submarine Warfare | |
10) Surface Warfare |
"Warfare" insignia take precedence over "Other" insignia and are placed in the primary position. If two Warfare insignia are authorized for wear, insignia of the specialty in which currently serving will be worn in the primary position. Personnel with multiple qualifications may wear only two insignia. Since September 2009, personnel with multiple designators within a single community (for example, an aviation officer who has earned both Naval Aviator and Naval Flight Officer qualifications) may wear both insignia, with their current billet's insignia on top.
Listed below are all the Warfare and Other Qualification insignia within each category.
Warfare Qualifications
Aviation Warfare
Aviation Warfare insignia (usually called "wings") are breast insignia of the aviation warfare community which are issued to those naval personnel who are trained and qualified to perform duties related to operation and support of naval aircraft.
There are two variants for line officers:
The Enlisted Aviation Warfare Specialist (EAWS) insignia is earned by sailors who demonstrate an in-depth knowledge of Naval Aviation. The EAWS designation may be earned by both enlisted Naval Aircrew and non-flying enlisted support personnel in Naval Aviation. EAWS status does not require any sort of actual flight experience or flight status in a flight crew capacity.
In 2009, the United States Navy converted the Naval Aircrew insignia from a qualification to a warfare designator like the Enlisted Aviation Warfare Specialist, Enlisted Submarine Warfare Specialist, and Enlisted Surface Warfare Specialist. The title was changed from Naval Aircrew (NAC) to Naval Aircrew Warfare Specialist (NAWS). Per MILPERSMAN 1220-020 Archived 17 October 2020 at the Wayback Machine.
Naval Aircrew Warfare Specialist (NAWS): Sailors must be qualified aircrew members; possess an eligible Navy enlisted classification of 78XX, 82XX, 8401, or 94XX; and be assigned to flying duty in an eligible billet for their NEC. Candidates must complete a positional qualification for the respective aircraft in which they fly within 18 months of reporting to a permanent duty station. See MilPersMan Article 1220-020. See further down this article for more on Naval Aircrew insignia.
Other insignia for qualification in specialized areas exists for
personnel. With the exception of the Naval Aviation Supply Corps insignia, all of the above insignia require the wearer to be, or have been, on some sort of flight status in naval aircraft. Naval Aviation Supply Corps qualification does not require any sort of actual flight experience or flight status in a flight crew capacity.In December 2009, the first of the new Professional Aviation Maintenance Officer (PAMO) warfare designators and insignia were awarded. The PAMO community consists of
Explosive Ordnance Disposal Warfare
The Explosive Ordnance Disposal Warfare (EOD) insignia, also known as the "crab", is awarded to personnel trained to deal with the construction, deployment, disarmament, and disposal of high explosives munitions. This group is part of Navy Special Operations and all are dive qualified as closed circuit divers. It is the only decoration awarded to all four uniformed services of the US Defense Department.
Enlisted EOD technicians wear the insignia as their primary warfare breast insignia. Officers formerly wore it as a secondary insignia under the Special Operations Warfare insignia, but now wear the Basic, Senior, and Master insignia as their primary warfare device.
In 2007, the Special Operations Officer Community was rechristened "
Fleet Marine Force
The Fleet Marine Force (FMF) insignia can be awarded to Navy personnel assigned to Fleet Marine Force command, a combined command of Navy and Marine Corps. The insignia is earned by both officers and enlisted.
Hospital Corpsmen and Religious Programs Specialists are examples of Navy ratings in FMF.
The Chaplain (Chaps) version of the officers' badge does not include the crossed rifles.[3]
Information Warfare
The Information Warfare insignia was approved in September 2010 and is authorized for wear by members of the
The Information Warfare Community includes the following communities: intelligence, information professional, cryptologic warfare (formerly information warfare), oceanography, meteorology, and space cadre additional qualification designators/NECs.[10][11]
Seabee Combat Warfare Specialist
The Seabee Combat Warfare Specialist (SCWS) insignia is awarded to personnel assigned to qualifying units of the Naval Construction Force (
The two insignia variants correspond to the gold officer insignia and silver enlisted insignia. Officers are required to complete all aspects of the enlisted program, plus additional officer specific requirements while overall demonstrating broader and deeper knowledge proficiency commensurate with their increased responsibilities.
Qualifying units include Naval Mobile Construction Battalions (NMCB), Underwater Construction Teams (UCT), and Construction Battalion Maintenance Units (CBMU), and personnel assigned to Amphibious Construction Battalions (ACB).
Engineering Duty Officer
An Engineering Duty Officer (EDO) is a
Special Operations
The Special Operations Warfare (SPECOPS) insignia is earned by officers by virtue of training in the
The insignia shares a similar design to the Surface Warfare insignia, but is considered a different category.
Special Warfare
There are two Special Warfare insignia issued to Navy personnel serving under Naval Special Warfare Command, a part of USSOCOM: Special Warfare and Special Warfare Combatant-Craft Crewman.
The Special Warfare insignia (aka the "SEAL Trident" or simply "Trident"), is awarded to personnel who completed BUD/S training and qualification, and have been designated as Navy SEALs and assigned to Navy SEAL Teams or SEAL Delivery Vehicle (SDV) Teams. The insignia is the same for both officer and enlisted personnel and is one of only four breast insignia authorized for enlisted personnel that is gold in color.
The
Submarine Warfare
Submarine Qualification insignia (usually known as "dolphins" or "fish") are breast insignia of the submarine warfare community which are issued to those naval personnel after they complete a complex, demanding and extensive program that incorporates learning each system aboard the submarine and completion of certain watchstanding requirements including cross rate watch requirements. This program differs from many of the other "Warfare" programs in that it requires personnel to become proficient in engineering and operational details to such an extent that each person must be able to understand and perform basic operation of each system and equipment aboard the submarine. In addition each person must be able to efficiently perform damage control and emergency control functions in each space on the submarine. The Submarine Qualification insignia for officers and enlisted was first proposed by then-Captain
In addition to line officer and enlisted versions, there are insignia for officers working in
Surface Warfare
Surface Warfare insignia are breast insignia of the surface warfare community. They are earned by those naval personnel who are trained and qualified to perform duties aboard United States surface warships. The Surface Warfare Officer insignia was first proposed in 1972, and by 1980 a variety of the Surface Warfare insignia had been approved for issuance.
.The SWO and ESWS insignia may be earned by United States Coast Guard personnel assigned to Navy commands.
Expeditionary Warfare
The Enlisted Expeditionary Warfare Specialist Insignia is awarded to enlisted United States Navy personnel (and select United States Coast Guard personnel temporarily assigned to the U.S. Navy) who satisfactorily complete the required qualification course and pass a qualification board hearing. Enlisted members E-5 and above shall obtain the Enlisted Expeditionary Warfare (EXW) Specialist qualification while assigned to a qualifying unit. Enlisted members E-4 and below may voluntarily obtain EXW qualification while assigned to a qualifying unit and who meet eligibility requirements. The qualification was developed to provide a chance for enlisted sailors in the Navy Expeditionary Combat Command (NECC) community (naval personnel serving in a maritime security or maritime combat related role) to earn a warfare qualification. Core qualification skills include (but are not limited to) weapons qualification and maintenance, marksmanship, land navigation, field communications, and expeditionary camp deployment. The pin depicts the bow and superstructure of a Sea Ark 34 foot patrol boat superimposed on a crossed cutlass and M16A1 rifle on a background of ocean swells.
The Navy Expeditionary Supply Corps Officer (NESCO) program is designed to recognize significant contributions made by Supply Corps officers while serving in operational expeditionary billets. NESCO officer qualification represents a level of expeditionary knowledge that distinguishes an officer of the Supply Corps from his or her peers. The NESCO insignia is a gold metal pin showing a Supply Corps oak leaf centered, superimposed on a crossed sword and M16A1 rifle, on a background of ocean swells.
Strategic Sealift Officer Warfare
The newest surface warfare qualification insignia to be implemented by the U.S. Navy is the
- A Commissioned Officer in the U.S. Navy (or in the Naval Reserves) holding a valid U.S. Merchant Marine License for vessels of unlimited ocean tonnage or horsepower.
- U.S. Merchant Marine Officers who are U.S. Navy Reserve officers while wearing U.S. Navy, U.S. Merchant Marine or U.S. Maritime Service uniforms.
- Midshipmen at the United States Merchant Marine Academy are entitled to wear the old Navy Reserve Merchant Marine Insignia while in good standing as members of the U.S. Navy Strategic Sealift Officer Program until fully qualified as SSOs where the old pin is replaced by the SSOWI. [17]
The SSOWI is gold in color and is 2+3⁄4 by 7⁄8 inch (70 by 22 mm), reflecting the background of an eagle from the USS Constitution's stern, crossed naval officer swords, and a U.S. shield with fouled anchor from the U.S. Merchant Marine flag.[18][19][20]
Other Qualifications
Aircrew
The Aircrew insignia is issued to enlisted personnel trained to operate equipment aboard airborne aircraft. It is one of only four gold color breast insignia awarded to qualified enlisted personnel.
Navy aircrew assigned to Navy aircraft place "(NAC)" after their
Integrated Undersea Surveillance System
The Integrated Undersea Surveillance System insignia is awarded to those personnel who have been trained and qualified in naval sonar and undersea surveillance (SOSUS) technology.
Officer in Charge/Petty Officer in Charge
The Officer in Charge/Petty Officer in Charge insignia is issued to personnel of the small boat community. It is issued to operators of small combatant and non-combatant vessels.
The
The Craftmaster insignia is awarded mainly to enlisted personnel commanding vessels, such as
Parachutists
The Parachutists insignia, also known as "jump wings", is awarded to personnel for training in airborne school. The basic insignia is issued for completion of basic parachutist training. The Naval Parachutist insignia is issued after 10 qualifying jumps. It is used both by the Navy and the Marine Corps.
Enlisted personnel with jump wings place "(PJ)" after their
The Naval Parachutist insignia is a common secondary insignia among
Nuclear Weapons Security
The Navy Nuclear Weapons Security Insignia (NWS) is awarded to enlisted sailors and officers assigned to a Strategic Weapons Facility, Personal Reliability Program, supporting missions associated with the
The Navy Security Force insignia program officially began in April 2022 with the release of NAVADMIN 094/22. The program allows active duty and reserve sailors and officers in the Navy Security Force community to earn a qualification that indicates their mastery of security force knowledge. Sailors in the Navy Security Force community can earn the Specialist, Senior Specialist, Master Specialist, and Officer insignia depending on their pay grade and qualification.[3][22]
Submarine Patrol
The Submarine Combat Patrol insignia is a breast insignia worn by Navy personnel who have completed war patrols. Such patrols were conducted during World War II and this insignia has not been awarded since that time.
The SSBN Deterrent Patrol insignia or "boomer pin" is a breast insignia worn by Navy personnel of the submarine service who have completed strategic deterrent patrols in nuclear ballistic missile submarines. It is the successor to the Submarine Combat Patrol insignia awarded for submarine patrols during World War II. Upon the completion of their 20th successful patrol, personnel are upgraded from silver to gold. The insignia is the same for both officer and enlisted personnel and is one of only four breast insignia authorized for enlisted personnel that is gold in color.
Qualified personnel wear the insignia as a secondary device, after the Submarine Warfare device.
Underwater
The Deep Submergence insignia is worn by Navy personnel who are qualified in submarines and have completed one year of regular assignment to a crewed or uncrewed deep submersible.
Enlisted personnel who are dive qualified place "(DV)" after their rating to indicate this skill. Example: "PO2(DV) Jones" is a Petty Officer 2nd Class Jones, who is Diver-qualified.
Badges
Identification
The Presidential and Vice Presidential Service badges are worn on the right side at a level corresponding to badges worn on the left side on dress uniforms, and center of the right pocket on other uniforms. The badges for Office of the Secretary of Defense and Joint Chiefs of Staff are worn on the left breast pocket, 1/4 inch below medals or secondary breast insignia on dress uniforms, and in the center of left pocket on other uniforms. If a breast insignia in the secondary position forces the badge below the lower seam of the pocket, the secondary insignia must be omitted. (see figure 1)
The
Although not worn on Navy uniforms, the
-
Figure 1:Joint Chiefs
-
Figure 2:Chief of the Boat
-
Figure 4:Recruiting Command Badges
-
Figure 5:Recruit Division Commander Badges
-
Figure 6: Career Counselor Badge
-
Figure 7: Law Enforcement Badges
Navy Uniform Regulations also allow CNO-approved Joint/Unified Command identification badges, including:
- United Nations
- Defense Intelligence Agency
- National Security Agency
- National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency
- Defense Information Systems Agency
- Army Medical Department Center/School
- Defense Commissary Agency
- Inter-American Defense College Command
- Department of State
- Defense Threat Reduction Agency
- Defense Finance and Accounting Service
- Defense Logistics Agency
- NATO EASTLANT
- Military Postal Service Agency
- North American Aerospace Defense Command
- U.S. Africa Command
- U.S. Special Operations Command
- U.S. Pacific Command
- U.S. Central Command
- U.S. Transportation Command
- U.S. Strategic Command
- U.S. European Command
- U.S. Southern Command
- U.S. Cyber Command
- Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe
- Allied Forces Southern Europe
- Air Education and Training Command Instructor Badge
- U.S. Forces Japan
- National Defense University
- Joint Intelligence Center Pacific
- Joint Communications Support Element
Marksmanship
The U.S. Navy also has
- U.S. Distinguished International Shooter Badge
- Distinguished Marksman Badge
- Distinguished Pistol Shot Badge
- National Trophy Match Excellence-in-Competition (EIC) Rifle Badge (Gold)
- National Trophy Match EIC Pistol Badge (Gold)
- Interservice/Navy EIC Rifleman Badge (Gold)
- Interservice/Navy EIC Pistol Badge (Gold)
- Annual Rifle Squad Combat Practice Competition Badge (Gold) (a USMC badge)
- Fleet EIC Rifle Badge (Gold)
- Fleet EIC Pistol Badge (Gold)
- National Trophy Match EIC Rifle Badge (Silver)
- National Trophy Match EIC Pistol Badge (Silver)
- Interservice/Navy EIC Rifleman Badge (Silver)
- Interservice/Navy EIC Pistol Badge (Silver)
- Annual Rifle Squad Combat Practice Competition Badge (Silver)
- Fleet EIC Rifle Badge (Silver)
- Fleet EIC Pistol Badge (Silver)
- National Trophy Match EIC Rifle Badge (Bronze)
- National Trophy Match EIC Pistol Badge (Bronze)
- Interservice/Navy EIC Rifleman Badge (Bronze)
- Interservice/Navy EIC Pistol Badge (Bronze)
- Annual Rifle Squad Combat Practice Competition Badge (Bronze)
- Fleet EIC Rifle Badge (Bronze)
- Fleet EIC Pistol Badge (Bronze)
- President's Hundred Brassard (enlisted only)
Note: The basic design of the Navy's EIC Badge is the same regardless of the level of competition where the badge was earned. To help distinguish one EIC badge from another, the word "NATIONAL" or "FLEET" is embossed above the word "RIFLEMAN" or "PISTOL SHOT"; only the Interservice/Navy EIC Badges will lack any markings above the weapon designation.
See also
- List of United States Navy enlisted warfare designations
- Military badges of the United States
- Identification badges of the United States military
- Obsolete badges of the United States military
- Uniforms of the United States Navy
- List of United States Navy ratings
- United States Navy staff corps
References
- ^ "Uniform Regulations, Chapter 5, Identification Badges/Awards/Insignia". United States Navy. Archived from the original on 18 April 2011. Retrieved 2 April 2007.
- ^ a b c d "Uniform Regulations, Chapter 5, Section 2, Breast Insignia". United States Navy. Retrieved 18 November 2007.
- ^ a b c d "Uniform Regulations, Chapter 5, Section 2, Article 5201.2, Warfare and Other Qualifications". United States Navy. Retrieved 18 November 2007.
- ^ "Uniform Regulations, Chapter 5, Section 3, Article 5310, Marksmanship Awards (Badges)". United States Navy. Retrieved 18 November 2007.
- ^ "Uniform Regulations, Chapter 5, Section 2, Article 5201.1, Command Insignia". United States Navy. Retrieved 18 November 2007.
- ^ "Uniform Regulations, Chapter 5, Figure 5-2-1". United States Navy. Archived from the original on 2 December 2007. Retrieved 18 November 2007.
- ^ This story was written by Navy Personnel Command Public Affairs. "New Warfare Designator Making its Way to the Fleet". Navy.mil. Retrieved 8 April 2017.
- ^ Schogol, Jeff (6 January 2008). "Navy's EOD officer community gets new insignia". Stars and Stripes. Retrieved 9 July 2008.
- ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on March 22, 2010. Retrieved February 19, 2010.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) - ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on September 24, 2015. Retrieved August 6, 2015.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) - About.com: US Military. Archived from the originalon 12 January 2007. Retrieved 18 November 2007.
- ^ "Naval Military Personnel Manual, Article 1210-230". United States Navy. 9 October 2003. Archived from the original on 2 December 2007. Retrieved 18 November 2007.
- ^ Ansarov, Sonya (27 October 2003). "Special Warfare Combatant-craft Crewmen (SWCC): The "Boat Guys"". Naval Special Warfare Command Public Affairs. Archived from the original on 6 March 2008. Retrieved 18 November 2007.
- ^ Uniform Policy Update, NAVADMIN 174/16 Archived September 9, 2016, at the Wayback Machine, CNO Washington DC, dated August 4, 2016, last accessed September 10, 2016
- ^ "ASSIST-QuickSearch Document Details". quicksearch.dla.mil.
- ^ https://www.netc.navy.mil/Commands/Naval-Service-Training-Command/NROTC/SSMP/, accessed January 6th,2024
- ^ ‘Sea chicken’ pin to be replaced, NavyTimes, by Sam Fellman, dated July 2, 2011, accessed December 27, 2012
- ^ NAVADMIN 164/12 Archived June 25, 2012, at the Wayback Machine, from Chief of Naval Operations, dated May 18, 2012, accessed August 19, 2012
- ^ U.S. Navy Uniform Board Update Archived December 24, 2012, at the Wayback Machine, accessed August 19, 2012
- ^ MILPERSMAN 1220-061, Enlisted Nuclear Weapons Security (NWS) Breast Insignia, dated May 19, 2011, last accessed October 28, 2013
- ^ CFAS Sailors First to Earn NSF Senior Specialist Insignia, by Petty Officer 2nd Class Quinton Lee (Commander, Fleet Activities Sasebo), Defense Visual Information Distribution Service, dated 6 April 2023, last accessed 29 March 2024 This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
- ^ https://www.mynavyhr.navy.mil/References/US-Navy-Uniforms/Uniform-Regulations/Chapter-4/4211/
- ^ U.S. Navy Uniform Regulation, Chapter 5, Section 3, Article 5310 (NAVPERS 15665I), Marksmanship Awards (Badges), Navy Personnel Command, dated December 22, 2017, last accessed April 15, 2018