Discussions on United States Navy rating badge history, Navy distinguishing marks, Navy qualification badges and selected unit patches.

Note: Anyone have research on when "two piece" rating badges were in use? Best I can determine at this time is 1944-1948? Perhaps never authorized at all? CPO John Larson has shared both Right Arm and Left Arm examples with me. Please e-mail the above contact resource if you have more information on this question. (Found some reference in John A. Stacey's fine book U.S. Navy Rating Badges and Marks 1833-2008, published by the author)

Cleaning note: If you obtain a rating badge that has previously been in a scrapbook and has glue on it you can clean the glue off by soaking in distilled White vinegar and using a soft brush. Thoroughly rinse in cold water after cleaning and allow to dry. Will not harm the material.

United States Navy terminology: In the beginning of U.S. Navy history much of our terminology, phrases and sayings evolved from British Admiral Nelson's Navy. That terminology has remained much the same since those days, but some sayings have been dropped, some have changed meanings and technology has added many additional terms and sayings to the modern U.S. Navy.

Here are some terminology and phrases from the early 1960s: Aye Aye, Rope Yarn Sunday (usually on a Wednesday), Lucky Bag, Ditty Bag, Kiddie Cruiser, Slick Arm Chief, Sea Bat, Jack O' The Dust, Designated Seaman, Head, Mail Buoy Watch, Sky Larking, Dead Horse, Deck Ape, Snipe, Airdale, Bubble Head, Scope Dope, Sparks, Yo-Yo, Brown Shoe, Bull Ensign, Acting Chief, Seaman Deuce, Sh** Can, Field Day, F**t Sack, Make-a-Hole, Bye-Your-Leave, Lend-A-Hand, Mate, Sweepers, Highline, Skivey Waver, Pecker Checker, Monkey fist, Bright Work, Turn To, Knock Off, POD, Butt Kit, Chit, Heave Out and Trice Up, Smoking Lamp, Oscar-the-Dummy, Swim Call, Mae West, Padre, Rat Guard/Crab Guard, Mid Rats, Acey-Ducey, Salt, Plank Owner, Mustang, Irish Pennant, Liberty Call, Cinderella Liberty, Liberty Hound, Lifer, Ship Over, No Hollywood showers, Zulu Time, Geedunk, Pollywog, Shellback, Golden Dragon, Gung Ho, Foxtail, Goat Locker, Pay Line, The Eagle Sh**s Today, Courtesy Flush, Tin Can sailor, Smoke Boat sailor, Bird Farm sailor, Gator Navy, nuke boats, the Old Man, Boot, Short Timer, Salt Water Coffee, Gitmo's One-Eyed Indian, Five-for-Seven, Slush Fund, Roach Coach, Haze Gray and Underway, Old Navy, Paint Chipper, Red Lead, Plank Owner, Clothes Stop, Bug Juice, 72 hour liberty, off limits, tack it on, square needle, up or out (HYT), Watch Quarter Station Bill, Officer's Country, Shove Off, Burn Bag, MAA, Shore Patrol/Sex Prevention, OOD, JOOD, Watch, Gangway, Mess, Galley, Early Chow, ...and they're running out of steak, Sh**-on-a-shingle, AWOL, Bell Bottoms, Seven Seas/Big O, Locker Clubs, Liberty Cuffs, Tailor Mades, Blue Jacket, Boatswain's Pipe, Salt, Captain's Mast, Carry On, As You Were, Crossing The Line, Sea Bag, Dog Watch, Gun Decking, Wardroom, Officer's country, LDO, JAG, Brig, Bread and water, Rocks and schoals, UCMJ, Article 15.   

In the future navycollector.com will add a quiz page with questions about U.S. Naval terminology.

Links:

The Navy Historical Center

American Society of Military Insignia Collectors

Dr. Howard Lanham Navy Rating Badges

Navy Seabee Rating Badges and History

U.S. Navy All Hands Magazine (Past Issue search)

www.usmilitariaforum.com (Militaria Collectors)

NavSource.org (Excellent USN Ship Finder)

Universal Ship Collection Society (Naval Covers "Cancelled Envelopes")

WWII USN Aviation Patches

The Storekeeper.com (Vintage rating badges)

Boot Camp (Company 61-148)

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