Mr.Jerry Posted December 24, 2011 Share #1 Posted December 24, 2011 We picked this up in a collection we recently acquired, but I am a bit at a loss as to what it actually is. The construction leads me to believe it is from the turn of the (last) century. I thought the collar anchors were used by the USMS, but I am unfamiliar with the bullion eagle breast badge with USNR. Any of you sailor types have an idea? Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
QED4 Posted December 24, 2011 Share #2 Posted December 24, 2011 It is a Merchant Marine Academy Midshipman's dress uniform. The badge indicates he was also a member of the Naval Reserve. They are hard to date because as with most military academy uniforms they seldom change but this one appears to be an older one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob Hudson Posted December 24, 2011 Share #3 Posted December 24, 2011 Here's an MM cadet wearing a metal USNR badge: this is from a thread at http://www.usmilitariaforum.com/forums/ind...showtopic=88241 Here's a bullion version from http://www.usmilitariaforum.com/forums/ind...showtopic=16926 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Justin B. Posted December 24, 2011 Share #4 Posted December 24, 2011 The Naval Reserve Merchant Marine insignia was first authorized in 1938 for wear by qualified reservists on the merchant marine uniform, and is very common on wartime USMMA uniforms (may have been required, I'm not sure). It was not worn on Navy uniforms. Justin B. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Posted December 24, 2011 Share #5 Posted December 24, 2011 The Naval Reserve Merchant Marine insignia was first authorized in 1938 for wear by qualified reservists on the merchant marine uniform, and is very common on wartime USMMA uniforms (may have been required, I'm not sure). It was not worn on Navy uniforms. Justin B. Though the "sea chicken" is now authorized for wear on Navy uniforms. I had several friends who had it. An ugly, ugly badge... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Justin B. Posted December 24, 2011 Share #6 Posted December 24, 2011 Though the "sea chicken" is now authorized for wear on Navy uniforms. I had several friends who had it. An ugly, ugly badge... I thought that might be the case, though I'm not clear on the purpose. It makes sense to wear it on a commercial/merchant uniform to show one's USNR status, but once you're wearing the Navy uniform, isn't that enough of a clue? Thanks, Dave! Justin B. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Posted December 24, 2011 Share #7 Posted December 24, 2011 I thought that might be the case, though I'm not clear on the purpose. It makes sense to wear it on a commercial/merchant uniform to show one's USNR status, but once you're wearing the Navy uniform, isn't that enough of a clue? Thanks, Dave! Justin B. Typically guys will wear it until they earn their actual warfare qualification (typically) SWO. It shows they are maintaining a MM license. All of them I've known have been MM graduates. There are some who continue to wear them after they get their SWO pins...but it's more of an ego thing (for them, at least, while everyone else laughs at them...) Once you lose your MM qualifications (they have a time limit on the quals) and don't renew them, you can no longer wear it. Dave Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Justin B. Posted December 24, 2011 Share #8 Posted December 24, 2011 ^ Ah, that makes sense, thanks again. Justin B. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Posted December 24, 2011 Share #9 Posted December 24, 2011 And an example in wear. I've known this guy for 10 years, and my comments above apply...... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sigsaye Posted December 24, 2011 Share #10 Posted December 24, 2011 And an example in wear. I've known this guy for 10 years, and my comments above apply...... UUUUMMMMMM, Yeah, I see where your comments apply. If I'm not mistaken, arn't all MMA grads automatically USNR? Seems I heard that once from a MMA grad, but not sure. He would fit right in there with Daves buddy. Steve Hesson Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Posted December 24, 2011 Share #11 Posted December 24, 2011 UUUUMMMMMM, Yeah, I see where your comments apply. If I'm not mistaken, arn't all MMA grads automatically USNR? Seems I heard that once from a MMA grad, but not sure. He would fit right in there with Daves buddy. Steve Hesson Steve: They get commissioned via ROTC, so they are automatically USNR officers. They can transition over to USN after 4 (I think...maybe 6 now) years of service. This fellow is at 18 years of service (and now an O-5). Dave Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr.Jerry Posted December 24, 2011 Author Share #12 Posted December 24, 2011 Thanks Guys! That makes sense! So because of the bird we know its post 1938 right? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ehrentitle Posted December 25, 2011 Share #13 Posted December 25, 2011 Though the "sea chicken" is now authorized for wear on Navy uniforms. I had several friends who had it. An ugly, ugly badge... Mystery solved! For the life of me I couldn't figure out what this DCU qualification badge was until I stumbled across this post. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
senhoragua Posted January 29, 2012 Share #14 Posted January 29, 2012 In the inner pocket the tailor tag should have the original owner's class. That's a start. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KASTAUFFER Posted January 29, 2012 Share #15 Posted January 29, 2012 I saw one exactly like this at an antique mall last week and it was named and dated 1944 on the tag inside the pocket. Kurt Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Salvage Sailor Posted September 16, 2019 Share #16 Posted September 16, 2019 The Naval Reserve Merchant Marine insignia was first authorized in 1938 for wear by qualified reservists on the merchant marine uniform, and is very common on wartime USMMA uniforms (may have been required, I'm not sure). It was not worn on Navy uniforms. Justin B. USNR Bullion "Sea Chicken" on a WWII USN Grey uniform jacket (no boards) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Salvage Sailor Posted September 16, 2019 Share #17 Posted September 16, 2019 USNR Bullion "Sea Chicken" on a WWII USN Grey uniform jacket (no boards) Named and made by Clothcraft, tailored by Joseph & Feiss Company Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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