An off-shoot from the rating badge topic, something the "older salts" might enjoy. For the "new white hat", may prove a bit enlightning.

Prior to the ill-fated shift of the USN uniform back in the 1970s. Enlisted distinguishing marks were sewn on and worn on the sleeves of the jumper uniform to indicate additional qualifications.

With the shift to the CPO type uniform, it was not practical to sew on marks, and the plethora of stick-em on insignia that you wear today was born. Even your "E" ribbon was a sew on device, before transformed into a ribbon.

So then, from a bunch that I've got sketched up and any other suggestions, here goes.

WOW Great MasterMate…. Thanks!!!!

My 1959 BJM show a total of 20 EDMs, I hope you can somehow graphically display them all here. I know some came and went as time wore on…

Can't wait to see how CDR Mack replies to my comment about....well you know...

Hopefully we can give each of these a day or so and see what all hands come up with. I looked back thru my files and have a bunch of WW2 up till the 60's drawn up, and a history for most.

Helluva idea, may perk up this topic a bit.

quote:

Originally posted by MastersMate:
An off-shoot from the rating badge topic, something the "older salts" might enjoy. For the "new white hat", may prove a bit enlightening.

With the shift to the CPO type uniform, it was not practical to sew on marks,

Although I do remember seeing a CPO in summer dress kakis wearing a red Maltese Cross signifying Assistant Fire Fighter one time when I was at NTC, San Diego.

Yes as you said, we'll see what the next few days brings to this subject.. Again, thanks for the input.

Isn't the square Knot the insignia that is used in the recruit Crows. Westpac Willie

quote:

Originally posted by MastersMate:
An off-shoot from the rating badge topic, something the "older salts" might enjoy. For the "new white hat", may prove a bit enlightning.

Prior to the ill-fated shift of the USN uniform back in the 1970s. Enlisted distinguishing marks were sewn on and worn on the sleeves of the jumper uniform to indicate additional qualifications.

With the shift to the CPO type uniform, it was not practical to sew on marks, and the plethora of stick-em on insignia that you wear today was born. Even your "E" ribbon was a sew on device, before transformed into a ribbon.

So then, from a bunch that I've got sketched up and any other suggestions, here goes.

MastersMate, you may want to change the name of the JPEGs prior to posting them. If I right clik on the image and select "properties" I can find out what they mean.

Thanx Chief, will do. Damn computer keeps getting the best of me. This 20th century stuff is going to do me in.

The figure of eight knot and the square knot were used on the recruit petty officer rating badges. They were about 2/3 the size of a regulation badge.

The figure of eight knot was for the US Navy Apprentice. Young boys that were signed up, schooled and educated and apprenticed to the USN. About 1886 to 1904. I found in an old ALL HANDS that a TMC Morris was the last APPRENTICE to serve in the USN and he retired in the mid 1950s with something like 54 years active duty.

The Assault Boat Coxswain, BM crossed anchors and spear tip, was a mark from about 1950 to 1975, for landing craft coxns.

Next stumper


Remember, my backround is with the "Hooligans Navy" of the last century. So a question for the USN folks. As this topic progresses, do many of these distinguishing marks cover items that are now considered part of the PQS check-offs that you have for Enlisted Surface Warfare ???

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Mastersmate,

Ordanceman or seaman gunner. What happened to the canon of the sailing ship style that was posted with this image ? Westpac Willie

Seaman Gunner, Thanx Chief, we're on a roll now.

Worn by petty officers just below the V of the chevron. Non - rated in place of the rating badge. 1886 until 1952 , eliminated about 1959.

Will post these one at a time, see if we can perk up the interest of some of the new sailors. Also gives us semi-geezers something to look forward to besides the daily prune ration.

Throw another one out there

Mount Captain, and earlier Gun Captain for guns larger than 3". Around until 1975 and at one time it was one of the 4 distinguishing marks that could be worn by Marines.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Mastersmate,

MastersMate,
I remember years ago seeing an article in “All Hands” magazine or Navy times a story about a YN1 who had completed all the requirements for becoming a “Mount Captain”. As I remember he was serving on a Forrestal Class Carrier which at the time still had the Older 5”54 Mk 42 Gun mounts. Had a picture of him in undress blues working in a shipboard office with the enlisted distinguishing mark for "Mount Captain" on his right lower sleeve. As a side note, I wonder how many currently serving Submarineers know that at one time that is where they wore their “Dolphins” until 1948 or so.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: IC2SS19Z50C5,

quote:

I wonder how many currently serving Submarineers know that at one time that is where they wore their “Dolphins” until 1948 or so.

I managed to get hold of a June 1943 National Geographic Magazine the was one of a series that year about insignia of the armed forces. There is a photo of a Chief Torpedomans Mate with about 7 or 8 gold hashmarks on the left sleeve, a rating badge, seaman gunner and dolphins on the right sleeve...

There is a great reference book out there, by a gentleman named John Stacey, about Navy rating badges and distinguishing marks. From what I understand there is going to be a new edition coming out soon to update all the rating changes that have occured since about 1985 or so.

Another, worn on the right sleeve between the shoulder and elbow. Authorized from 1945 to 1975.

Expert Lookout qualification, the binoculars was also the original specialty mark for the Quartermaster rating and the insignia for the very old Warrant Officer specialty of Masters Mate and later Mate.

From 1943 to about 1958

Ordnance Battalion ?? Anyone have any information about them ??

quote:

Originally posted by MastersMate:
Ordnance Battalion ?? Anyone have any information about them ??

There is a Navy Ordnance Reporting and Handling Battalion with their HQ in Yorktown, VA that is made up primarily of reservists. The various companies are located in several Navy Operational Support Centers in the Mid-Atlantic area. I was attached to one of the companies as the SEA/Acting XO from Oct. 2004 until I retired in Jan. 2007.

Thanx Boats, Ordnance Battalion information appreciated. I had found an article in a WW@ edition of ALL HANDS, but damned if I can grab it right off hand. I got to get off my *** someday and make up an index of some sort.

The cross hairs distinguishing mark was worn by the gun pointer and gun trainer, the director pointer and the director trainer. Earlier versions also had a star above indicating first class.

Another weapons mark,below

Hmm... seem to remember in the movie Men of Honor the divers wore their mark on the right shoulder, roughly 2-3 inches in height, centered between the shoulder and the elbow. Wasn't sure when I was watching it if they were sewn on or pinned. If they were sewn maybe it was with a silver thread? They seemed quite shiny.

quote:

Originally posted by MastersMate:
Expert Lookout qualification, the binoculars was also the original specialty mark for the Quartermaster rating and the insignia for the very old Warrant Officer specialty of Masters Mate and later Mate.

From 1943 to about 1958

I was thinking Office Beeeotch!!! LOL


I did see a BM1 with the Assault Boat patch when I was on the USS Inchon way back in the day...I thought that was pretty cool when he was explaining it to me on watch...

AO1

MastersMate, BRAVO ZULU for all the good work here, especially for the posting on Tue 05 February 2008 08:37 PM.

Sure wish you could come up with a pre-1948 set of Dolphins which were worn on the lower right sleeve. When Submarineers ran "Full on Four"... Wished I could have had that experience!!!!