The Surfman Badge is a military badge

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 Coast Guard

United States Coast Guard

The United States Coast Guard is a branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven U.S. uniformed services. The Coast Guard is a maritime, military, multi-mission service unique among the military branches for having a maritime law enforcement mission and a federal regulatory agency...

, issued to enlisted personnel who qualify as Coxswains authorized to operate surf boats in heavy surf. Surf boats are boats that are designed to operate under extreme weather and sea conditions. Some surf boats that the Coast Guard operates are the 47-foot Motor Lifeboat

47-foot Motor Lifeboat

The 47-foot MLB is the standard lifeboat of the United States Coast Guard . The 47′ MLB is the successor to the 44′ MLB.The 47' MLB is designed to weather hurricane force winds and heavy seas, capable of surviving winds up to , breaking surf up to 6 m and impacts up to three G's...

 (MLB), the (now decommissioned) 44-foot MLB and the 52-foot MLB (the only "Boats" in the Coast Guard to be given names) such as the VICTORY at Station Yaquina Bay, Oregon, the oldest steel motor lifeboat in the U. S. Coast Guard.

To be awarded the Surfman Badge, a service member must undergo training in actual surf and breaking bar conditions, accumulate a minimum amount of hours operating in these conditions, while conducting practical exercises and undergo a rigorous underway check ride as well as an oral review board. The Surfman Badge is senior to the Coxswain Badge

Coxswain Badge

The Coxswain Insignia is a qualification device of the United States Coast Guard which is issued to enlisted personnel who qualify as a coxswain. The Coxswain on a Coast Guard Small Boat is in charge of the vessel and all personnel on board. Coxswains, while underway, operate without regard to...

, and Coast Guard regulations do not permit the wearing of both badges simultaneously.