United States Navy

====Badges of the United States Navy====
{{See also|Badges of the United States Navy}}

Insignia and badges of the United States Navy are military "badges" issued by the 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. Most naval aviation insignia are also permitted for wear on uniforms of the [[Badges of the United States Marine Corps|United States Marine Corps]].

As described in Chapter 5 of U.S. Navy Uniform Regulations,<ref name="navy reg">
{{cite web
  |url=http://www.public.navy.mil/BUPERS-NPC/SUPPORT/UNIFORMS/UNIFORMREGULATIONS/Pages/default.aspx
  |title=United States Navy Uniform Regulations
  |publisher=United States Navy
  |access-date=16 October 2009
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110415092642/http://www.public.navy.mil/bupers-npc/support/uniforms/uniformregulations/Pages/default.aspx
  |archive-date=15 April 2011
|url-status=live
}}</ref> "badges" are categorized as ''breast insignia'' (usually worn immediately above and below ribbons) and ''identification badges'' (usually worn at breast pocket level).<ref name="chapter 5">
{{cite web
  |url=http://www.public.navy.mil/bupers-npc/support/uniforms/uniformregulations/chapter5/Pages/default.aspx
  |title=Uniform Regulations, Chapter 5, Identification Badges/Awards/Insignia
  |publisher=United States Navy
  |access-date=2 April 2007
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110418091253/http://www.public.navy.mil/bupers-npc/support/uniforms/uniformregulations/chapter5/Pages/default.aspx
  |archive-date=18 April 2011
|url-status=live
}}</ref> Breast insignia are further divided between ''command'' and ''warfare and other qualification''.<ref name="section 2">
{{cite web
  |url=http://www.public.navy.mil/bupers-npc/support/uniforms/uniformregulations/chapter5/Pages/5201.aspx
  |title=Uniform Regulations, Chapter 5, Section 2, Breast Insignia
  |publisher=United States Navy
  |access-date=18 November 2007
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110610003155/http://www.public.navy.mil/bupers-npc/support/uniforms/uniformregulations/chapter5/Pages/5201.aspx
  |archive-date=10 June 2011
|url-status=live
}}</ref>

Insignia come in the form of metal "pin-on devices" worn on formal uniforms and embroidered "tape strips" worn on work uniforms. For the purpose of this article, the general term "insignia" shall be used to describe both, as it is done in Navy Uniform Regulations. The term "badge", although used ambiguously in other military branches and in informal speak to describe any pin, patch, or tab, is exclusive to ''identification badges''<ref name="article 5201.2">
{{cite web
  |url=http://www.public.navy.mil/bupers-npc/support/uniforms/uniformregulations/chapter5/Pages/5201.aspx
  |title=Uniform Regulations, Chapter 5, Section 2, Article 5201.2, Warfare and Other Qualifications
  |publisher=United States Navy
  |access-date=18 November 2007
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110610003155/http://www.public.navy.mil/bupers-npc/support/uniforms/uniformregulations/chapter5/Pages/5201.aspx
  |archive-date=10 June 2011
|url-status=live
 }}
</ref> and authorized ''[[Distinguished Shot Badge|marksmanship awards]]''<ref name="article 5310">
{{cite web
  |url=http://www.public.navy.mil/BUPERS-NPC/SUPPORT/UNIFORMS/UNIFORMREGULATIONS/CHAPTER5/Pages/5301.aspx
  |title=Uniform Regulations, Chapter 5, Section 3, Article 5310, Marksmanship Awards (Badges)
  |publisher=United States Navy
  |access-date=18 November 2007
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110607024714/http://www.public.navy.mil/bupers-npc/support/uniforms/uniformregulations/chapter5/Pages/5301.aspx
  |archive-date=7 June 2011
|url-status=live
}}</ref> according to the language in Navy Uniform Regulations, Chapter 5. Below are just a few of the many badges maintained by the Navy. The rest can be seen in the article cited at the top of this section:

<gallery class="center">
File:Naval Aviator Badge.jpg|Naval Aviator Badge
File:Submarine Officer badge.jpg|Submarine Officer badge
File:Surface Warfare Officer Insignia.png|Surface Warfare Officer Insignia
</gallery>