Command at Sea insignia

Last updated
Admiral Michelle Howard in 2017 wearing a command-at-sea pin in the post-tour position; flag officers were not allowed to wear them in the post-tour position before 2015. 170703-N-AF077-899 - Michelle Howard and Benjamin Netanyahu in Haifa, Israel.jpg
Admiral Michelle Howard in 2017 wearing a command-at-sea pin in the post-tour position; flag officers were not allowed to wear them in the post-tour position before 2015.

The Command at Sea insignia is a badge of the United States' seagoing services worn by officers on their uniforms to denote that they are the commander, or formerly a commander, of a warship. If the wearer is currently the commander of a warship, it is worn above the nametag, which is worn a quarter of an inch above the right chest pocket on a uniform shirt. Afterwards, the pin is moved to the left side of the shirt or jacket. For the commanders of land-based installations, a different but similar version known as the Command Ashore insignia instead.

Contents

U.S. Navy

The U.S. Navy's Command at Sea insignia NavyCAS.jpg
The U.S. Navy's Command at Sea insignia

Wear

Either is worn centered over the right pocket while the wearer is holding an active command at sea billet as an incumbent, and is worn centered on the upper portion of the left pocket flap, under the warfare insignia and ribbons, after completion of the command tour. [1]

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. Men in full dress will wear their post-tour insignia below the bottom row of medals, or below their second qualification or warfare badge if they have one. Only one post-tour command insignia was worn until September 2018, [2] after which both can be worn, the sea version inboard of the ashore version. [3]

Wear by flag officers

Prior to late 2015, U.S. Navy officers previously awarded the Command at Sea pin were not allowed to wear it upon promotion to rear admiral, lower half. In 2015, wear by U.S. Navy flag officers was authorized, but only in the post-tour position, below the ribbon bars on a dress or service uniform. [4] In August 2021, the regulations were further modified to permit flag officers to wear command insignia in the incumbent position if currently holding an eligible command. [5]

History

The Command at Sea insignia was established in the U.S. Navy in 1960 and 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 commissioned warship or submarine, an operational fleet air unit, or a SEAL command at the O-5 or O-6 level.

The Command Ashore/Project Manager insignia, designates senior officers who are in command of, or have previously commanded, a ship, submarine, operational/deployable fleet air unit in naval aviation, or a special warfare (SEAL) unit. [6] This includes those in charge of a major program or project (the latter being primarily in the Naval Air Systems Command or Naval Sea Systems Command).

Design

The six stars on the Command at Sea insignia represent the first six ships of the United States Navy: USS United States, USS Constellation, USS Constitution, USS President, USS Congress, and USS Chesapeake. [7]

U.S. Coast Guard

U.S. Coast Guard Command Afloat insignia USCGCAFLT.jpg
U.S. Coast Guard Command Afloat insignia

The United States Coast Guard uses an equivalent insignia to the U.S. Navy's Command at Sea pin, called the Command Afloat Badge. The Command Afloat insignia is a gold and silver metal device with a miniature Coast Guard officer cap device superimposed on a ribbon of gold with thirteen stars to represent the thirteen original American colonies. The Command Afloat insignia is worn in the same manner as the Command Ashore insignia and is considered superior to the Officer-in-Charge Afloat insignia.

NOAA Commissioned Corps

U.S. NOAA Corps Command at Sea insignia Noaa command-at-sea.jpg
U.S. NOAA Corps Command at Sea insignia

The NOAA Commissioned Corps Command at Sea badge is a gold-colored pin consisting of a triangle superimposed on anchor flukes and an unfurled commissioning pennant showing six triangles. The NOAA Command-at-Sea insignia is authorized for incumbents serving under orders designating them in command of Class 1 through Class 5 NOAA commissioned vessels. A NOAA Corps officer who previously successfully held command (but is not currently in command) of a NOAA commissioned vessel for at least six months during which the vessel was engaged for at least four months in operations at sea, is authorized to wear the Command-at-Sea insignia.

See also

Related Research Articles

The Submarine Warfare Insignia are worn by qualified submariners.

SSBN Deterrent Patrol insignia US Navy uniform badge

The SSBN Deterrent Patrol Insignia is a uniform breast pin worn by officers and enlisted sailors of the United States Navy's submarine service who have completed strategic deterrent patrols in nuclear ballistic or cruise missile submarines. It is awarded for different criteria than the Submarine Combat Patrol Insignia awarded for submarine patrols during World War II. Design of the SSBN pin shows a silver Lafayette-class submarine with superimposed Polaris missile and electron rings which signify the armament and nuclear-powered characteristics of the Fleet Ballistic Missile Deterrent Force. A scroll beneath the submarine holds up to six award stars, with one gold star authorized for each successful patrol, or a silver star for five successful patrols. At twenty (20) successful patrols, the SSBN pin is upgraded to a gold design. This insignia qualifies the veteran as a combat veteran, making the veteran eligible to join the VFW.

Submarine Combat Patrol insignia US Navy uniform badge

The Submarine Combat Patrol Insignia is a uniform breast pin worn by officers and men of the United States Navy's Submarine Service who have completed combat patrols during declared wars. Such patrols were last conducted during World War II.

Deep Submergence insignia US Navy uniform badge

The Deep Submergence Insignia is a uniform breast pin worn by officers, both men and a few women of the United States Navy's submarine service who are qualified in submarines and have completed one year of regular assignment to a Manned or Unmanned Deep Submersible. The badge was first approved on 6 April 1981.

Surface warfare insignia

The surface warfare insignia is a military badge of the United States Navy which is issued to U.S. Navy personnel who are trained and qualified to perform duties aboard United States surface warships. There are presently four classes of the surface warfare pin, being that of line, staff, special operations, and enlisted. The line and enlisted surface warfare badges may be earned by United States Coast Guard personnel assigned to Navy commands. The various badge types are as follows:

Small Craft insignia

The Small Craft Insignia is a military award of the United States Navy which was first created in the 1970s following the close of the Vietnam War. The intent in creating the Small Craft Pin was to give recognition to the specially trained naval personnel who comprised the inshore boat units and river assault commands.

Navy Reserve Merchant Marine Insignia

Naval Reserve Merchant Marine Insignia was a breast insignia of officers in the United States Merchant Marine who also served in the United States Navy or United States Navy Reserve. The insignia was replaced by the Strategic Sealift Officer Warfare Insignia (SSOWI) in June 2011, per OPNAVINST 1534.1D.

Uniform Service Diver Insignia (United States) Qualification badges of the uniformed services of the USA

The diver insignia are qualification badges of the uniformed services of the United States which are awarded to servicemen qualified as divers. Originally, the diver insignia was a cloth patch decoration worn by United States Navy divers in the upper-portion of the enlisted service uniform's left sleeve during the first part of World War II, when the rating insignia was worn on the right sleeve. When enlisted rating insignia were shifted to the left sleeve in late World War II, the patch shifted to the upper right sleeve. The diving patch was created during World War II, and became a breast insignia in the late 1960s.

Air Force Commanders Insignia Insignia of the United States Air Force,

The Air Force Commander's Insignia is an insignia of the United States Air Force and United States Space Force, that has been in existence since 2002. Also known as the USAF Commander's Badge, the Air Force Commander's Insignia is awarded to any Air Force officer who holds an established command billet within the United States Air Force.

U.S. military instructor badges

The U.S. military issues instructor badges to specially training military personnel who are charged with teaching military recruits the skills they need to perform as members of the U.S. Armed Forces or teach continuing education courses for noncommissioned officers and officers in the military. With the exception of the U.S. Army and U.S. Coast Guard, these badges are considered temporary military decorations and must be surrendered upon completion of one's duty as a military instructor. Because of this, the U.S. Air Force, U.S. Navy, and U.S. Marine Corps award Drill Instructor Ribbons as a permanent decoration to recognize service members who have qualified and performed as military instructors.

Mess dress uniform Formal evening dress worn by military officers in the mess or at other formal occasions

Mess dress uniform is the most formal type of uniforms used by military personnel, police personnel, and other uniformed services members. It frequently consists of a mess jacket, trousers, white dress shirt and a black bow tie, along with orders and medals insignia. Design may depend on regiment or service branch, e.g. army, navy, air force, marines, etc. In Western dress codes, mess dress uniform is the supplementary alternative equivalent to the civilian black tie for evening wear or black lounge suit for day wear although military uniforms are the same for day and evening wear. Mess dress uniforms are typically less formal than full dress uniform, but more formal than service dress uniform.

Identification badges of the Uniform Services of the United States List of identification badges of the US Uniformed Services

Identification badges of the Uniformed Services of the United States are insignia worn by service members conducting special duties, many of which can be awarded as permanent decorations if those duties are performed successfully. There are a few identification badges that are awarded to all services, others are specific to a uniform service. The Office of the President and Vice President and department/service headquarters badges are permanent decorations for those who successfully serve in those assignments. Some of the service level identification badges can be permanent decorations and others are only worn by a service member while performing specific duties, such as the Military Police Badge.

Badges of the United States Navy Military badges of the US 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.

Badges of the United States Marine Corps Military badges of the U.S. Marine Corps

Insignia and badges of the United States Marine Corps are military "badges" issued by the United States Department of the Navy to Marines who achieve certain qualifications and accomplishments while serving on both active and reserve duty in the United States Marine Corps.

Sea Scouts (Boy Scouts of America) Coed program of the Boy Scouts of America for ages 14 to 20

Sea Scouts is a program of the Boy Scouts of America for young men and women ages 14 through 20.

The uniform and insignia of the Boy Scouts of America (BSA) gives a Scout visibility and creates a level of identity within both the unit and the community. The uniform is used to promote equality while showing individual achievement. While all uniforms are similar in basic design, they do vary in color and detail to identify the different membership divisions of Cub Scouting, Scouts BSA and Venturing. Many people collect BSA insignia such as camporee and jamboree emblems, council shoulder strips and historical badges.

Uniforms of the United States Navy Clothes worn by members of the United States Navy

The uniforms of the United States Navy include dress uniforms, daily service uniforms, working uniforms, and uniforms for special situations, which have varied throughout the history of the navy. For simplicity in this article, officers refers to both commissioned officers and warrant officers.

Command Ashore insignia, formerly known as the Command Ashore/Project Manager insignia, is a breast insignia of the United States Navy and the United States Coast Guard.

Navy Supply Corps Military unit

The Navy Supply Corps is the United States Navy staff corps concerned with supply, logistics, combat support, readiness, contracting, and fiscal matters.

Awards and decorations of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Commissioned Officer Corps, one of the eight uniformed services of the United States, has the authority to issue various awards and commendations to its members. These include individual honor awards, unit honor awards, service awards, training ribbons and qualification insignia. NOAA Corps awards and decorations include:

References

  1. "MILPERSMAN 1210-170 : COMMAND AT SEA INSIGNIA: QUALIFICATIONS" (PDF). Public.navy.mil. Retrieved 28 September 2018.
  2. "Uniform Regulations, Chapter 5, Section 2, Article 5201.1, Command Insignia". United States Navy. Archived from the original on 2011-06-10. Retrieved 2007-11-18.
  3. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2018-11-27. Retrieved 2018-11-27.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  4. This story was written by From Chief of Naval Personnel Public Affairs. "PCU Commanding Officers Authorized to Wear Command At Sea Pin". Navy.mil. Retrieved 28 September 2018.
  5. Chief of Naval Operations. "NAVY UNIFORM POLICY UPDATE". mynavyhr.navy.mil. Retrieved 31 August 2021.
  6. "5201 - Breast Insignia". Public.navy.mil. Archived from the original on 10 June 2011. Retrieved 28 September 2018.
  7. "Navy Command at Sea Embroidered Coverall Breast Insignia". USAMM. Retrieved 28 September 2018.