Canadian Navy boarding party badge

[Tanker Mike]

The Canadian Navy has authorised a special badge to be worn on the combat uniform, a boarding party "trade" badge. I am not sure if this is really a trade but more of a tasking. There is special training and use of special equipment and uniforms when you are working as a boarding party.

The badge can only be worn on the combat/boarding party uniform. It is unusual as it is not the typical Queens crown, it is a navy crown with crossed cutlass. A very interesting badge, especially since the crown is not associated with the Queen.

I believe this article is from the Western Sentinel (Canadian Army paper), but can not confirm it as I was shown the article quickly and didn't get a chance to speak to the fellow who had it.

[Bill A]

Interesting. It is an odd badge, which looks a bit like the old PTS badges.
Somewhere in the dark recesses of my mind there is something about the crown question.

[GregN]

Weird, the crown looks like the Merchant Marine crown that's on many MM cap badges!

G

[Phillip Herring]

Originally Posted by GregN

Weird, the crown looks like the Merchant Marine crown that's on many MM cap badges!

G

http://readyayeready.com/badges/

"All Canadian Navy badges are surmounted by either the naval crown, which distinguishes HMC ships from other badges. This ancient symbol is similar to the rostral crown of the Romans. It consists of a circlet bearing the sterns of three ships of the line, each with three lanterns and two squared sails spread on a mast and yard, fully fitted and sheeted home. The hulls and sails are placed alternately around the circlet. Its use in England as a badge of naval distinction and honour dates back three centuries, possibly longer."

[barriefield-brian]

I have one of these. Garage sale on the base last year the fellow gave me one and said they were only for the boarding party so they would be somewhat scarce. Cheers Brian

[Bill A]

To review, this patch is sort of a combination patch; it represents both a tasking / job and a set of skills. But, iiuc, members of the ship's crew would be identified as such. A sailor could be trained as such but not be tasked with the duty?

[Tanker Mike]

I am not a navy type, but from what I can see members of a ships crew have many tasking's. A gunners mate may also be cross trained as a fire fighter, an able seaman may be cross trained as a boarding party team member, etc.

[Bill A]

Hi Mike, But, are they patched to their cross training? The existence of this badge suggests a specialized set of skills and training. If I understand correctly, t would likely be worn in addition to the sailor's other trade.

[Tanker Mike]

I believe this patch is worn only when conducting a boarding party, not on any other type of uniform, the trade badges are not worn on the black nomex coveralls.

[Bill A]

Interesting. Not sure what the purpose of only wearing it when conducting a boarding would be? It would likely be concealed by other kit, outer uniform etc. Anything further?

[Tanker Mike]

Most likely just for esprit de corps

[Blackadder1916]

Originally Posted by Tanker Mike

I believe this patch is worn only when conducting a boarding party, not on any other type of uniform, the trade badges are not worn on the black nomex coveralls.

From a post in another forum I follow, the following is from an excerpt of MARPACGEN 005/08 DRESS INSTRUCTION UPDATE

9) NAVAL BOARDING PARTY BADGE. WEAR OF THE BADGE IS AUTHORIZED FOR QUALIFIED MEMBERS OF THE SHIP S BOARDING PARTY, ONLY WHILE SERVING AS MEMBERS OF THE BOARDING PARTY, AND ONLY ON THE NCD JACKET. IT SHALL BE WORN IN THE LOCATION FOR A SECOND FLYING/SPECIALIST BADGE, WHICH IS CENTERED AND 0.6 CM (1/4 INCH) BELOW THE LEFT BREAST LOWER SEAM. IT IS ALSO AUTHORIZED FOR QUALIFIED BOARDING PARTY INSTRUCTORS WHILE PERFORMING BOARDING PARTY INSTRUCTOR DUTIES BOARDING PARTY INSTRUCTORS WILL WEAR THE BADGE ON THE BOARDING PARTY COVERALL ONLY, AND IT SHALL BE PLACED ON THE LEFT SIDE CENTERED ABOVE THE BREAST POCKET 0.6 CM (1/4 INCH) ABOVE THE NAVAL BOARDING PARTY INSTRUCTOR INDICATOR TAPE

The way I read this is:

The badge is to be worn only by:

a. members of a ship's boarding party during the time that they are posted to a ship and are members of that ship's boarding party - it is worn "only" on the NCD jacket (this is not the uniform normally worn during boarding party operations).

b. qualified boarding party instructors while they are employed as BP instructors and is to be worn by them only on the "boarding party coveralls".

[Bill A]

Thanks for posting the dress instruction. The clarifies the where and when, but there is still a why? This sounds like more of a dress distinction combined with a tasking badge.