Question regarding NAG Beret Flashes

[tomlegg]

Hello folks,

 

Please forgive me if this is a question with a simple answer however I was wondering if anyone would be able to help with Naval Adivosry Group beret flashes. From the searches I have done here on the forum I have seen NAG flashes with white eagles on them, with Anchors on them and 'plain' ones. Now are these different Naval ranks? I seem to recall reading somewhere (possible here) that the flashes with the white eagle was a Chiefs rank? If anyone is able to break it down for me I would very much appreciate it.

 

Many thanks and all the best,

 

Tom

[tomlegg]

If anyone is able to help, I would very much appreciate it. Many thanks all,

 

Tom

[sigsaye]

Tom, Keep bumpin this. There are a couple of guy on here that are very knowledgeble on the USN in VN, and at least one that was NAG. They will eventually see this and jump in and help. My thing is the sea going "Rust Buster" Sailors, the "Greenies" were a different breed to me.

 

Steve Hesson

[tomlegg]

Thanks Steve, I'll keep my fingers crossed mate.

 

Also, thanks to the mods/admin for moving this. Much appreciated

 

Tom

[tomlegg]

A little bump...

[tomlegg]

Ok, one more bump...

 

This is a photo of the repro beret flash I have that I have intended to use for re-enacting and/or airsoft events:

 

 

 

And this one is a link to another repro beret flash currently listed on eBay:

 

http://www.ebay.com/itm/150733583933?ssPag...984.m1423.l2649

 

 

Now I think I've worked out that my flash (the top one) is supposed to represent a Petty Officer and the flash linked from eBay is supposed to represent a Chief Petty Officer? Does this sound right or have I got the wrong end of the stick?

 

Cheers all,

 

Tom

[Bearmon]

This picture, taken from Militaryphotos.net shows a NAG beret flash. I don't think the Crow (eagle) designates a rank on the flash. The outside trim should be white. Gold actually is used for the Army SF's flashes

 

If you look here: http://www.usmilitariaforum.com/forums/ind...showtopic=26168 you will ind a few examples a few examples.

 

[Mitch]

Hi Tom,

I will try and see if I can help from what I have seen. First i don't think there is any method that is definitive. On the plain flashes I have seen them worn pretty much through most of the ranks usually with the rank pinned on to the flash or along side of it. If you do a search in the latest finds & aquisitions , there is a grouping to a chief with a beret in in the group which has a plain flash. The one you show with the old crow on it , that I have seen worn in groupings up to Master Chief , usually with the rank pinned on also , some without also. I believe this one may even be worn by higher ranks than that but I have not seen them. The flash with the anchor , I have not seen alot of to make a guess at. And by the way both of the repros you show are the worst I have seen and I don't think the one is the right color.

Regards, Mitch

[tomlegg]

Bearmon, thank you for the link mate. I've searched the forum reasonably well and I had seen that thread, as well as some other. While there are some lovely berets posted, there isn't much info with each picture. But, as you can see, it does show at least three variations of the NAG beret flash. One plain, one with a white eagle, and one with a the anchor.

 

You mentioned that the gold/yellow borders are for the US Army beret flashes and that the NAG ones should be white. Is that correct? I was under the impression that it was the other way around? Regardless, many thanks for your comments mate. Much appreciated :thumbsup:

 

Cheers,

 

Tom

[tomlegg]

Hi Tom,

I will try and see if I can help from what I have seen. First i don't think there is any method that is definitive. On the plain flashes I have seen them worn pretty much through most of the ranks usually with the rank pinned on to the flash or along side of it. If you do a search in the latest finds & aquisitions , there is a grouping to a chief with a beret in in the group which has a plain flash. The one you show with the old crow on it , that I have seen worn in groupings up to Master Chief , usually with the rank pinned on also , some without also. I believe this one may even be worn by higher ranks than that but I have not seen them. The flash with the anchor , I have not seen alot of to make a guess at. And by the way both of the repros you show are the worst I have seen and I don't think the one is the right color.

Regards, Mitch

 

Hi Mitch,

 

Thank you for your post and comments mate. I think I am fast understanding that there isn't any particularly definitive answer to all this. In an ideal world I would love a plain beret flash as they seem by far the most common. I had seen the groupings you mentioned but thank you for reminding me about them as they had slipped my mind. I think I will stick with my current flash and give the repro with the anchor a miss. Sadly, the availablility of real NAG items is obviously extremely limited here in the UK and so these repro ones are all I can seem to get hold of. You're definately right right they're not great, but for $5 to $10 dollars they're fine and for re-enactments and/or airsoft then they will past muster here.

 

If anyone comes across a plain reproduction NAG beret flash (that doesn't cost the earth) please do let me know :thumbsup:

 

Thank you again Mitch and best regards,

 

Tom

[Bearmon]

eBay number 220925367486. Actually usn not us army 7.99 no eagle but...

300647277333. Not real and a little expensive at 24 dollars

150734766714. Only 2 dollars

400264383829. Again 2 dollars

[tomlegg]

Hi Bearmon,

 

Thanks for the links. I have to admit that I'm still confused with the whole white border/gold border thing. You are the only person (so far) to tell me that the white border is for the USN and the gold is for the Army. If thats the case then fantastic as I have real easy access to white bordered beret flashes here in the UK :thumbsup: .

 

Since so many places list or show the beret flash with a white border as US Army Special Forces, do you mind I ask where you got your info regarding the border colours?

 

Many thanks again from a confused new guy

 

All the best,

 

Tom

[Mitch]

Hi Tom,

The white border is for Army SF beret flashes and the yellow border is Navy Nag. If you go quick to the display section , second page, I posted a SF beret with flash. All ranks for the SF flashes were white.

Regards, Mitch

[Bearmon]

Hi Tom,

The white border is for Army SF beret flashes and the yellow border is Navy Nag. If you go quick to the display section , second page, I posted a SF beret with flash. All ranks for the SF flashes were white.

Regards, Mitch

Mitch where did you get this info. NAG is always white bordered. Not yellow

[Bearmon]

I am going to back off my last post. While the majority of NAG flashes I have seen by no means all incompasing are white trimmed. I have also located a few that are yellow. Along with spec forces that are white

[doyler]

Here is an original flash/beret

 

[doyler]

Close up of flash.Border is white but discolored from age.

 

[tomlegg]

Just want to say a quick, 'thank you all' to everyone for their help on this topic. Its proved very interesting indeed.

 

I appreciate your time and your help.

 

Many thanks and best regards,

 

Tom

[Mitch]

Hi Bearmon,

I was just going by what I have seen as far as color. I would bet it is not definitive. Also there are 12 NAG berets shown in the uniform section and all 12 have a yellow border. If I was using this as a representitive sample , I would say most would be yellow bordered. All of them ,no as you can see on Doylers fine example. Thanks for showing. I think the end result is there is nothing definitive other then the flashes have been seen in both colored borders.

Regards, Mitch