Seabee Combat Warfare Badge
Encyclopedia
Military badges of the United States
Military badges of the United States are awards authorized by the United States armed forces that signify rating, qualification, or accomplishment in several career fields, and also serve as identification devices for personnel occupying certain assignments. Personal recognition is granted to...
of the United States Navy
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
. The warfare pin recognizes the training and qualifications of members who serve in Construction Battalions (CB or Seabees), or other construction units, in the United States Navy
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
.
To be awarded the insignia, a service member must have completed the prescribed Naval Construction Force Personnel Qualification Standards (PQS), which entails required coursework, qualification tasks standards, written examination, and a field exercise. Upon final completion of all prescribed training, a "murder" board, which usually last eight hours, is taken. Upon completion of the "murder board," a final board (usually two-fours) is given. Once the member has completed all of the above requirements, they are designated a Seabee Combat Warfare Specialist. The Seabee Combat Warfare insignia is primarily presented to members of the Civil Engineer Corps
Civil Engineer Corps
The Civil Engineer Corps is a staff corps of the United States Navy. CEC officers are professional engineers and architects, acquisitions specialists and Seabee Combat Warfare Officers. They are responsible for executing and managing the planning, design, acquisition, construction, operation, and...
(CEC) or the Construction Battalions (CB); however, the insignia is not limited only to this branch of the Navy. Any sailor of any rate or any officer can qualify, given they are assigned to a qualifying unit (NMCB, UCT, CBMU, ACB, or as of late 2008, NCR) and have completed the prescribed course of instruction.
The insignia is issued in two degrees: silver for enlisted personnel and gold for officers. The insignia features an armed Seabee, superimposed over a crossed sword and rifle (a Springfield M1903) atop oak leaves. The Bee
Bee
Bees are flying insects closely related to wasps and ants, and are known for their role in pollination and for producing honey and beeswax. Bees are a monophyletic lineage within the superfamily Apoidea, presently classified by the unranked taxon name Anthophila...
is also the insignia for the Navy Seabees as a whole.
The authorizing instruction, "Seabee Combat Warfare Specialist", OPNAVINST 1410.1, Department of the Navy, Office of the Chief of Naval Operations, Washington, DC 20350-2000, was released in March 1992. The design evolved over the coming months followed by approvals and production of the device. During the same period the initial applications for the insignia were prepared, reviewed and considered for approval.
The first person to wear this insignia was its designer Commander
Commander
Commander is a naval rank which is also sometimes used as a military title depending on the individual customs of a given military service. Commander is also used as a rank or title in some organizations outside of the armed forces, particularly in police and law enforcement.-Commander as a naval...
Ross S. Selvidge, CEC, USNR, at the Navy Reserve Center, Los Alamitos, CA, in March 1993.
See also
- List of United States Navy enlisted warfare designations
- Badges of the United States NavyBadges of the United States NavyInsignia and badges of the United States Navy are military "badges" issued by the United States Department of the Navy to naval service members who achieve certain qualifications and accomplishments while serving on both active and reserve duty in the United States Navy...
- Military badges of the United StatesMilitary badges of the United StatesMilitary badges of the United States are awards authorized by the United States armed forces that signify rating, qualification, or accomplishment in several career fields, and also serve as identification devices for personnel occupying certain assignments. Personal recognition is granted to...
- Obsolete badges of the United States militaryObsolete badges of the United States militaryObsolete badges of the United States military are a number of U.S. military insignia which were issued in the early 20th century leading up to and including badges issued during the Second World War. Such badges were eventually phased out of the United States armed forces in favor of the modern...
- Uniforms of the United States NavyUniforms of the United States NavyThis article examines dress uniforms, daily service uniforms, working uniforms, special situations, and the history of uniforms of the United States Navy...