Battle Effectiveness Award

Last updated

The Battle Effectiveness Award (formerly the Battle Efficiency Award, commonly known as the Battle "E"), is awarded annually to the small number of United States Navy ships, submarines, aviation, and other deployable combat coded units that win their battle effectiveness competition.

Contents

Crewmembers paint a gold "E" on the stack of the USS Rankin USSRankinGoldE.jpg
Crewmembers paint a gold "E" on the stack of the USS Rankin

The criterion for the Battle Effectiveness Award is the overall readiness of the command to carry out its assigned wartime tasks, and is based on a year-long evaluation. The competition for the award is, and has always been, extremely keen. To win, a ship, aviation squadron, or unit must demonstrate the highest state of battle readiness.

The Battle Effectiveness Award recognizes sustained fast and winning performance in an operational environment within a command. [1] To qualify for Battle "E" consideration, a command must win a minimum of four of the six Command Excellence awards and be nominated by their immediate superior in command. [2] Eligibility for the award demands day-to-day demonstrated excellence in addition to superior achievement during the certifications and qualifications conducted throughout the year. A command's performance during training exercises, weapons inspections, and tactical readiness examinations are among the 16 different areas that are considered in the competition.

Crew members aboard the guided missile cruiser USS Robert Smalls (CG-62) assemble on the ship's bridge wing to admire the painting of a gold "E". The painted green H is for the Force Health and Wellness Unit Award US Navy 040712-N-0000X-001 Gold Battle E aboard USS Chancellorsville (CG 62).jpg
Crew members aboard the guided missile cruiser USS Robert Smalls (CG-62) assemble on the ship's bridge wing to admire the painting of a gold "E". The painted green H is for the Force Health and Wellness Unit Award

Ships that win a battle effectiveness competition are authorized to paint a white "E" with black shadowing on their bridge wings or stacks to display evidence of the honor. Aviation units will paint the same color insignia or simply a black "E" on at least one of their aircraft (often the aircraft with the air wing commander's or squadron commanding officer's name on it). It may also be displayed on signage, such as on a squadron hangar. Because the U.S. Navy no longer paints identifying hull numbers, vessel names, or other markings on its submarine fleet, submarines that are Battle E recipients will display it as a temporary signage, along with temporary hull numbers and a vessel name board, during unique events such as a change of command.

For each subsequent consecutive competition won, the ship, aviation squadron, or other command paints an angled line, or hashmark, below the white "E". The very rare winners of five consecutive "E"s replace the white "E" and hashmarks with a gold "E" and silver star just above. The "E" and any hashmarks are removed in the year the command first fails to win the award.

Personnel of ships, aviation squadrons, and other units that win the Battle "E" are authorized to wear the Navy "E" Ribbon and Battle "E" Device. Before 1976, Navy enlisted personnel at pay grade E-6 and below wore a small cloth "E" on their uniform sleeves (naval officers, chief petty officers, and all Marine Corps personnel wore nothing), with hashmarks and color corresponding to that on their ship or unit.

The latest revision of the Surface Forces Training Manual (SURFORTRAMAN) has changed the name of the Battle Efficiency Award to the Battle Effectiveness Award for COMNAVSURFOR ships. [3]

Command Excellence Awards

USS Simon Bolivar (SSBN-641) awarded with the Battle "E" for most outstanding ballistic missile nuclear submarine in 1974, 1975 and 1976 USS Simon Bolivar;0864102.jpg
USS Simon Bolivar (SSBN-641) awarded with the Battle "E" for most outstanding ballistic missile nuclear submarine in 1974, 1975 and 1976

In addition to the Battle "E," a ship's earned Command Excellence Awards are painted and displayed on the port and starboard side of the bulwark, aft of the Battle "E." They are:


Aviation units may also display additional aviation-unique Command Excellence Awards on their aircraft or squadron signage ashore:

See also

Related Research Articles

The Navy "E" Ribbon or Battle Efficiency Ribbon was authorized on March 31, 1976, by Secretary of the Navy J. William Middendorf as a unit award for battle efficiency competition. The service ribbon replaced the "E" patch previously sewn on the right sleeve of the enlisted naval uniform for rates/pay grades E-1 through E-6.

A Sea Service Ribbon is an award of the United States Navy, U.S. Marine Corps, U.S. Coast Guard, the U.S. Army, and the NOAA Commissioned Officer Corps which recognizes those service members who have performed military duty while stationed on a United States Navy, Coast Guard, Army, or NOAA vessel at sea and/or members of the Navy, Marine Corps or Coast Guard who have been forward-deployed with their home unit.

USS <i>De Wert</i> United States Navy guided-missile ftigate

USS De Wert (FFG-45), an Oliver Hazard Perry-class frigate, was a ship of the United States Navy. She was named for Hospitalman Richard De Wert (1931–1951). De Wert posthumously received the Medal of Honor for his heroism while serving with the 7th Marines during the Korean War.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Carrier strike group</span> US Navy unit with aircraft carrier

A carrier strike group (CSG) is a type of carrier battle group of the United States Navy. It is an operational formation composed of roughly 7,500 personnel, usually an aircraft carrier, at least one cruiser, a destroyer squadron of at least two destroyers or frigates, and a carrier air wing of 65 to 70 aircraft. A carrier strike group also, on occasion, includes submarines, attached logistics ships and a supply ship. The carrier strike group commander operationally reports to the commander of the numbered fleet, who is operationally responsible for the area of waters in which the carrier strike group is operating.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">VAQ-139</span> Military unit

Electromagnetic Attack Squadron 139 (VAQ-139), also known as the "Cougars", is an EA-18G Growler squadron of the United States Navy. They specialize in electromagnetic attack and are currently stationed at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, Washington. Part of Carrier Air Wing Seventeen, the Cougars deploy aboard the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz

<span class="mw-page-title-main">VAW-113</span> Military unit

Airborne Command & Control Squadron 113 (VAW-113), known as "Black Eagles", was established on 20 April 1967 flying the E-2A Hawkeye.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">VP-26</span> Military unit

The VP-26 Tridents are a United States Navy aircraft squadron based at Naval Air Station Jacksonville in Florida. The squadron flies Boeing P-8A patrol aircraft. It was established as Bombing Squadron 114 (VB-114) on 26 August 1943 and renamed Patrol Bombing Squadron 114 (VPB-114) on 1 October 1944; Patrol Squadron 114 (VP-114) on 15 May 1946; Heavy Patrol Squadron (Landplane) 6 (VP-HL-6) on 15 November 1946, and Patrol Squadron 26 (VP-26) on 1 September 1948. The Tridents are the third squadron to be designated VP-26; the first VP-26 was renamed VP-102 on 16 December 1940, and the second VP-26 was renamed VP-14 on 1 July 1941.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">HSC-14</span> Military unit

Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 14 (HSC-14) "Chargers" is an aviation unit of the United States Navy based at Naval Air Station North Island, California (USA). HSC-14 was established as Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron 14 (HS-14) in 1984 and was redesignated HSC-14 in 2013. The squadron is equipped with the Sikorsky MH-60S Seahawk.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">VAW-126</span> Military unit

Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron 126 (VAW-126), nicknamed the "Seahawks", is a carrier airborne early warning squadron of the United States Navy. The squadron is based at NS Norfolk, equipped with five E-2D Hawkeye aircraft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Naval Air Force Atlantic</span> Type Command for U.S. Naval air forces operating primarily in the Atlantic

The Commander, Naval Air Force Atlantic is the aviation Type Commander (TYCOM) for the United States Naval aviation units operating primarily in the Atlantic under United States Fleet Forces Command. Type Commanders are in administrative control (ADCON), and in some cases operational control (OPCON) of certain types of assets assigned to the Pacific and Atlantic Fleets. AIRLANT is responsible for the material readiness, administration, training, and inspection of units/squadrons under their command, and for providing operationally ready air squadrons and aircraft carriers to the fleet.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">HSM-77 Saberhawks</span> Military unit

Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron Seven Seven (HSM-77) "Saberhawks" is a United States Navy helicopter squadron based at Naval Air Facility, Atsugi, Japan. HSM-77 is attached to Carrier Air Wing Five and deploys aboard USS Ronald Reagan and air capable ships attached to Carrier Strike Group Five (CSG-5). The squadron was established as Helicopter Antisubmarine Squadron (Light) Forty Seven (HSL-47) on 25 September 1987 and was redesignated HSM-77 on 2 Apr 2009.

A ship's company or complement comprises all officers, non-commissioned officers and enlisted personnel aboard a naval vessel, excluding civilians and guests.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Commander, Naval Air Forces</span> Type Command for U.S. Naval air forces operating primarily in the Pacific

The Commander, Naval Air Forces is the aviation Type Commander (TYCOM) for all United States Navy naval aviation units. Type Commanders are in Administrative Control (ADCON), and in some cases Operational Control (OPCON) of certain types of assets assigned to the Pacific and Atlantic Fleets. AIRFOR is responsible for the materiel readiness, administration, training, and inspection of units/squadrons under their command, and for providing operationally ready air squadrons and aircraft carriers to the fleet.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Force Health and Wellness Unit Award</span>

The Force Health and Wellness Unit Award, commonly known as the Green "H", is awarded annually by Commander, Naval Surface Forces to the U.S. Navy ships, submarines, aviation, and other units in recognition of the unit's commitment to the health and welfare of its sailors and marines.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">HSC-9</span> Military unit

Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 9 (HSC-9) "Tridents" is a United States Navy helicopter squadron based at Naval Air Station Norfolk, Norfolk, Virginia. The squadron is equipped with the Sikorsky MH-60S Seahawk. Currently, HSC-9 is attached to Carrier Air Wing Eight. It was originally established as Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron 3 (HS-3) in 1952 and was redesignated on 1 June 2009.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Captain (United States O-6)</span> Rank in the United States uniformed services, O-6

In the United States Navy, United States Coast Guard, United States Public Health Service Commissioned Corps (USPHS), and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Commissioned Officer Corps, captain is the senior-most commissioned officer rank below that of flag officer. The equivalent rank is colonel in the United States Army, Air Force, Space Force, and Marine Corps.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">VUP-19</span> UAV squadron of the US Navy

Unmanned Patrol Squadron ONE NINE (VUP-19) is an unmanned patrol squadron of the United States Navy, nicknamed the "Big Red" and established on 1 October 2013.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">VP-62 (1970–present)</span> Military unit

Patrol Squadron SIXTY TWO (VP-62) is a combat aviation squadron of the United States Navy Reserve. Since 31 July 2015, the squadron has been assigned to Commander, Maritime Support Wing, an Echelon IV organization under the Commander, Naval Air Force Reserve. Nicknamed the Broadarrows, the squadron flies the P-8 Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft from its home station of Naval Air Station Jacksonville, Florida, deploying worldwide. The squadron's aircraft can be identified by the stylized letters "LT" on the vertical stabilizer, the letter "L" being common to all U.S. Atlantic Fleet patrol aircraft, either Regular Navy or Navy Reserve, and the letter "T" being unique to VP-62. The stylized "LT" is also incorporated in the squadron's insignia as worn as a cloth patch on flight suits and flight jackets.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">HSM-73</span> A US Navy maritime squadron

Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron 73 (HSM-73) is a United States Navy Maritime Strike helicopter squadron based on Naval Air Station North Island, California.

References

  1. ↑ "Unit Competitions: Battle Efficiency and Command Excellence Awards". Surface Force Training Manual (Revision D ed.). US Navy. 1998-06-18.
  2. ↑ "Battle "E"". U.S. Navy. Archived from the original on 2018-08-22. Retrieved 2013-06-29.
  3. ↑ "Battle "E" Award". USS Vicksburg (CG-69). Archived from the original on 2008-09-19.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.