Question on US Navy/US Coast Guard Insignia of Rank

[speagle]

Can anyone tell me the history/background on why the US Navy/US Coast Guard only wear rank on one sleeve?

Thanks in advance

Ed

[Hugh]

I'm going from deep memory, so please don't hold me strictly accountable.

Once upon a time, up until WW II, enlisted ratings were divided between the more traditional naval trades and the more recent specialities. For the more traditional ratings (bo'sun's mate, gunner's mate, carpenter's mate, etc.), their badges were worn on the right arm, and they took pride in being "right arm rates". All others wore their badges on the left arm, and were presumably suitably humble about being inferior to the right arm rates. Nowadays, all ratings wear their badges on the left arm only. Where did it all originate? Probably with Jason and the Argonauts. Probably a long-ago budget-reduction initiative.

Best,

Hugh

Edited September 9, 2013 by Hugh

[speagle]

Thanks Hugh. Appreciate your comments

Ed

[Paul R]

Are there any questions about USCG Rates? Also, E8 and E9 enlisted ranks did not exist until 1959, so any uniforms reported to be WW2 with those ranks is not true.

Here is a really cool document a friend of mine wrote... it is a history of the US Coast Guard's rating evolution from 1915 until 2011.

http://www.uscg.mil/history/docs/USCGRating_Warrant_Marks.pdf

[speagle]

REF #4:

Hi Paul,

I figured if I waited long enough you'd contribute Appreciate the document. VERY interesting.

I think I may have posted this pic earlier but wanted to find out for sure. What's the dope on this? I was told it is a hat badge - correct?

Thanks

Ed

[Hoyden R.]

REF #4:

Hi Paul,

I figured if I waited long enough you'd contribute Appreciate the document. VERY interesting.

I think I may have posted this pic earlier but wanted to find out for sure. What's the dope on this? I was told it is a hat badge - correct?

Thanks

Ed

It is the U.S. Coast Guard enlisted (E1 - E6) hat device.

[Paul R]

REF #4:

Hi Paul,

I figured if I waited long enough you'd contribute Appreciate the document. VERY interesting.

I think I may have posted this pic earlier but wanted to find out for sure. What's the dope on this? I was told it is a hat badge - correct?

Thanks

Ed

Yep- like said by my wife, it is an enlisted cap badge, but for E1-E3 on the ball cap or garrison cap. Rank insignia are worn from E4-E9.

E1-E6 wear a much larger version on the visor hat(we call it a Combination Cover). E7-E9 wear a large version of the rank on these hats.