The Command at Sea insignia is a badge of the

United States The United States of America (U.S.A. or USA), commonly known as the United States (U.S. or US) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It consists of 50 states, a federal district, five major unincorporated territorie ...

' 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 Command Ashore insignia, formerly known as the Command Ashore/Project Manager insignia (or Command Ashore/Major Program Manager insignia), is a breast insignia of the United States Navy and the United States Coast Guard. United States Navy In the ...

instead.

U.S. Navy

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. 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, after which both can be worn, the sea version inboard of the ashore version.

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. 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.

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 Seal may refer to any of the following: Common uses * Pinniped, a diverse group of semi-aquatic marine mammals, many of which are commonly called seals, particularly: ** Earless seal, or "true seal" ** Fur seal * Seal (emblem), a device to impr ...

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 A ship is a large watercraft that travels the world's oceans and other sufficiently deep waterways, carrying cargo or passengers, or in support of specialized missions, such as defense, research, and fishing. Ships are generally distinguished ...

submarine A submarine (or sub) is a watercraft capable of independent operation underwater. It differs from a submersible, which has more limited underwater capability. The term is also sometimes used historically or colloquially to refer to remotely op ...

, operational/deployable fleet air unit in

naval aviation Naval aviation is the application of military air power by navies, whether from warships that embark aircraft, or land bases. Naval aviation is typically projected to a position nearer the target by way of an aircraft carrier. Carrier-based a ...

, or a special warfare (

) unit. This includes those in charge of a major program or project (the latter being primarily in the

Naval Air Systems Command The Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) provides materiel support for aircraft and airborne weapon systems for the United States Navy. It is one of the Echelon II Navy systems commands (SYSCOM), and was established in 1966 as the successor to the ...

Naval Sea Systems Command The Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) is the largest of the United States Navy's five "systems commands," or materiel (not to be confused with "material") organizations. From a physical perspective, NAVSEA has four shipyards for shipbuilding, c ...

Design

The six stars on the Command at Sea insignia represent the first six ships of the

United States Navy The United States Navy (USN) is the maritime service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the eight uniformed services of the United States. It is the largest and most powerful navy in the world, with the estimated tonnage ...

: , , , , , and .

U.S. Coast Guard

The

United States Coast Guard The United States Coast Guard (USCG) is the maritime security, search and rescue, and law enforcement service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the country's eight uniformed services. The service is a maritime, military, mult ...

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

The

NOAA Commissioned Corps The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Commissioned Officer Corps, known informally as the NOAA Corps, is one of eight federal uniformed services of the United States, and operates under the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administ ...

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.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Command At Sea Insignia United States military badges