The Special Warfare insignia, also known as the "SEAL Trident" or its more popular nickname, "The Budweiser," recognizes those members of the United States Navy who have completed the Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL (BUD/S) training, completed SEAL Qualification Training (SQT) and have been designated as U.S. Navy SEALs. It is one of the most recognizable military badges of the U.S. Navy.
Video Special Warfare insignia
History
Established on 16 October 1970, the Special Warfare insignia was initially issued in two grades, being a gold badge for officers and silver for enlisted. In 1978 the Silver SEAL badge was abolished after which the Special Warfare Badge was issued thereafter in a single grade. The SEAL badge is therefore unusual in the Navy being as it is one of the very few badges issued in a single grade for both officers and enlisted personnel. This is partly due to the combined training both officers and enlisted receive, side by side, when involved in BUD/S training.
The Special Warfare insignia consists of a golden eagle clutching a U.S. Navy anchor, trident, and flintlock style pistol. The decoration is considered a "successor badge" to the obsolete Underwater Demolition Badge.
Designator and title
Sailors who complete BUD/S training at Coronado California are reclassified to the Special Warfare Operator (SO) rating. Sailors must complete SEAL Qualification Training (SQT) before receiving Navy Enlisted Classification (NEC) 5326 Combatant Swimmer (SEAL) or, in the case of commissioned naval officers, the designation 1130 Naval Special Warfare (SEAL) Officer. Prior to the establishment of the SO rating in 2006, SEAL operators were sourced from regular Naval ratings, with the title of SEAL treated like a warfare qualification, attaching (SEAL) after your rate.
Maps Special Warfare insignia
See also
- List of United States Navy enlisted warfare designations
- Badges of the United States Navy
- Military badges of the United States
- Obsolete badges of the United States military
- Uniforms of the United States Navy
- Michael A. Monsoor § Funeral
Notes
References
- National Archives and Records Administration, Military Personnel Records Center (U.S. Navy Breast Insignia Descriptions)
Source of the article : Wikipedia