Special Warfare Badge
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The Special Warfare Badge, also known as the “SEAL Trident”, or its more popular nickname, "The Budweiser," is one of the most recognizable combat badges of the United States Navy. First created in the 1960s, the Special Warfare Badge recognizes those service members who have completed the Navy’s Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL course, or BUD/S training, and have been designated as U.S. Navy SEALs.
The Special Warfare Badge was initially issued in two grades, being a gold badge for officers and silver for enlisted. In the 1970s, the Silver SEAL Badge was abolished and the Special Warfare Badge was issued thereafter in a single grade. The SEAL badge is therefore unique in the Navy in that it is one of the few badges issued in a single grade for both officers and enlisted personnel. This is partly due to the combined training that both officers and enlisted receive, side by side, when involved in BUD/S training.
An enlisted member who receives the Special Warfare Badge warfare qualification is authorized to place the designator (SEAL) after his rating designator. For example, if Bob Jones is a SEAL-qualified Machinist's Mate First Class Petty Officer, then his written name would be MM1(SEAL) Jones.
The Special Warfare Badge consists of a golden eagle clutching a U.S. Navy anchor, trident, and pistol. The decoration is considered a "successor badge" to the obsolete Underwater Demolition Badge.
Fraudulent display of the Special Warfare Badge, in particular by persons who make false claims of SEAL membership, has increased in recent years due to the availability of the Special Warfare Badge for private purchase through military dealers, auctions, and the Internet. While there is no law against unauthorized wearing of the Special Warfare Badge on civilian clothing, a number of legitimate SEAL veteran groups spend time tracking, reporting, and exposing those who display the Special Warfare Badge without authority.
[edit] References
- National Archives and Records Administration, Military Personnel Records Center (U.S. Navy Breast Insignia Descriptions)
