I've been trying to figure this one out for a few months now, and am having no luck at all. Here's the story behind it:

about a year ago, a junior guy in my division was at his submarine pin qual board, and was asked "what are the names of the two dolphins on the warfare pin?" He had no clue, and at the time, neither did I. I mentioned it to my wife, and she (on her own) searched online for 3 hours and actually found the answer. He checked with the board members and they agreed. Several other chiefs on baord concurred as well with the names "Pollux and Castor" (aka the gemini twins).

Now, here's my problem. Ever since then, nobody I know seems to know WHERE the two dolphins are ever mentioned as to having names. Some even say it was an "urban legend."

Does anyone out there happen to know this? My guess is some kind of Naval History and Traditions book, but I'm stumped.

Any help is appreciated.

V/R
MM1(SS) Brandon MacDonald

quote:

Originally posted by macdonbj:
"what are the names of the two dolphins on the warfare pin?"
V/R
MM1(SS) Brandon MacDonald

Warfare pin???... , Oh Please!! According to:

http://buperscd.technology.navy.mil/bup_updt/508/unireg/chapter5/CHAPTER_5.htm

Chapter 5, Section 2. WARFARE AND OTHER QUALIFICATION INSIGNIA..5201.2

It states that "Dolphins" are now referred to officially as just another "pogue" "Warfare Badge". I'm sure glad all my official documentation of when I qualified in Submarines back on 21May1972 states that I was awarded the "Enlisted Submarine Qualification Badge"... In today’s PC Navy I’m surprised that they are even allowed to call them "Dolphins".

It is so saddens me that over the past 30+ years the Navy has gotten caught up in the same “Disease” that over came the Air Force, Army and USCG, where everyone no matter what gets all kinds of meaningless “nose bleed ribbons” and goofy scare badges for doing the minimums. God Bless the U.S.M.C. for sticking with their original awards and not getting caught up in the “Idi Amin Dada Syndrome” of superfluous ribbons and excess meaningless scare badges. Harsh words on my part? Perhaps. And I know I will probably get tons of SABOT rounds to the chest as a result of my posting, but just my own personal observations gained in a 27+ year military career and confirmed while working as a DOD Civilian over the last few years.

Actually this whole Navy “Scare Badge Thing” started down hill back in 1948 when the Navy moved the “Enlisted Submarine Qualification Badge” from the lower right arm sleeve of the jumper to the chest as in the fashion worn by officers. And it really got on the fast track with the introduction of the SW Badge, (Sorry GAGE ME!!!!!) PUKE!!!!.... Oh well, Just one old Soldier/Sailor's opinion, no more, no less.

As I said earlier, God Bless the U.S.M.C. for still being the last of the "holdouts"...

Just one person's opinion, no more no less....

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

I gotta agree for the most part with your post. The only real "scare" badge I have is called the Crossed Anchors, as in anybody can make a rate, only GOD makes a BOATSWAINS MATE.

quote:

Originally posted by RiverRat139:
Crossed Anchors, as in anybody can make a rate, only GOD makes a BOATSWAINS MATE.

Excellent reply Senior Chief…. That is why when MM1 Jake Hollman stepped onto the fleet landing in Shanghai in “The Sand Pebbles” , the first person he came in contact with was that Right Arm Rating Boatswains Mate CPO, asking him, “Got Orders???”.. I think getting rid of the Right Arm Ratings was a huge mistake on the Navy’s part. I loved reading what Gene Slover has to say on the subject on his Webpage.

http://www.eugeneleeslover.com/AMMUNITION/THE-PECKING-ORDER.html

And boy do I remember seeing how powerful a BM3 was when I served in a DLG for 18 months before going Submarines. I remember on day in the Med, this one BM3 was supervising a topside maintenance detail. He was smoking a cigarette with his foot proper up on one of the bits supervising about 15 members of the deck division as they needle gunned, scrapped and chipped around the forward missile house. Man those boys were turning and burning let me tell you. I remember that our Lead BM1 and our BMCS were the epitome me of what I always imagined “Real Sailors” to be before I joined back in 69. They were “hardcore” to the bone…