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E-1 through E-3 stripes, '70s-'90s


sigsaye
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It was called "Apprenticeship Training Department" or "ATD". And you are correct, they were sen on for them on the uniform they left ATD in, for graduation. Once they got to the fleet, almost all removed them or did not replace them when they advanced to E-2/3, just wore the stripes.

 

by the way, I found MY E-1-E-3 stripes! I will most likely get them posted Saturday or so. Mostly Navy issue, seperate striker and one commercial.

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  • 6 years later...
busternfo

Hello Steve,  Not sure if you can receive this now with the Forum getting an upgrade.  I am trying to get a quick opinion on the attached E3 rates.  It appears to me they are USCG not USN, given the color.  Did USN ever have a uniform of this color that may have used this rate?  Any idea on age and manufacturer?  It also appears the USCG steadfastly adhered to the 30 degree stripe, assuming these are relatively recent make.  Appreciate any comments.  Thanks,

Dennie

Electronics Tech. E3 blue ebay 3.jpg

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Thanks Steve.  I went back and reviewed this thread.  You provided a lot of interesting information.  Do I understand that the square-cut badges E1 - E3 were Navy made, and what I call the profile cut (following the angle of the stripes) were commercial made?  When did the navy stop making rating badges? 

Dennie

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You would be correct in that assumption. I do not know when the Navy stopped having its own badges made. They all come from Vanguard not from what I’ve seen. 

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Yes, that is my experience as well; all from Vanguard with the 45 degree stripes.  Thanks again,

Dennie

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It's midnight, but I still want to wish you and all veterans a great Armed Forces Day!  Thank you for your service to me and our country.  Blessings to you all,

Dennie

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  • 3 months later...

I have recently returned to chevron collecting after a 20 year lapse. On sorting my accumulation, I have a question on E-1, E-2 & E-3 Navy rate patches. I have quite a few in the standard Navy Blue (Seaman), Cardinal (Red) (Fireman). Green (Aviation) and Light Blue (Constructionman) on aprox. 2 7/8" Navy Blue & White squares. I also have some 3" long ones shaped like Time-in-Service stripes in all the colors. These are all on White. Are these just different shaped Rates or something else?

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Hi, My understanding is that the E1, E2, E3 rates came with two styles of stripes; 30 and 45 degree angles.  The background material, white and blue, could be a square cut shape (a rectangle) or what I call an angle cut, to match the angle of the stripes.  Either way, they represent the same rate and rating (or specialty).  Does this help?

Dennie

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The thing to keep in mind, is that these things are Navy. So, while there may have been regulations and specifications on their design, construction and wear, they were not always followed. In the beginning, when these things came out (for men), the backing patch had 45 degree corners. The striker Mark was supposed to be centered over the patch. However, I don’t remember seeing it done like that all the time. Most I remember seeing had the striker Mark, ( remember, they were separate pieces), worn butting up against the sleeve crease, in-line with the trailing edge of the patch. That was how I wore mine, no one ever said anything, and it was how most other guys had theirs. 
 

sometime in the 1960s, (IIRC), commercially made patches, (Vanguard, Gemsco and others), started appearing in the off base shops. They were the “Angle Cut” style. I remember I liked the “Look” so much better than the Navy made patches.   If you had these, and then became a “Designated Striker”, authorized time we are a rate mark, you just added the mark. Easiest way was, again, butt it up against the sleeve crease. 
 

about this time, “Non Rate Stripes” with rate designators appeared for sale off base also. These became popular.   In the 1970s, the Navy came out with those fully embroidered patches for the “New” suit and tie uniform. The patches were DETESTED. Few wore them, opting for the commercial patches from Vanguard, (Who, apparently won the Patch War), those are now what is sold in the Exchange.
 

then, toss in the Plethora of foreign made patches Sailors pick up in shops in foreign ports. All of which, were worn simultaneously, with no concern for “Uniformity”.  

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I have a square E-2 patch with what appears to be light gold chevrons on Navy Blue. At first I thought it was just a dirty Seaman Apprentice patch, and it may be. But both the front and back have the same Light Gold thread. It is a Female size with 1/4" chevrons. Any ideas?

 

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8 hours ago, Ron Merchant said:

I have a square E-2 patch with what appears to be light gold chevrons on Navy Blue. At first I thought it was just a dirty Seaman Apprentice patch, and it may be. But both the front and back have the same Light Gold thread. It is a Female size with 1/4" chevrons. Any ideas?

 

Would have to see it. Gold of any sort was never an option for Group Rate Marks. 

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It is most likely just discolored, but thought I would pass it by the forum in case it was something special. I don't have anyway to take a picture, so just a description is the best I can do.

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30 minutes ago, Ron Merchant said:

It is most likely just discolored, but thought I would pass it by the forum in case it was something special. I don't have anyway to take a picture, so just a description is the best I can do.

Sounds like the white on blue stripes that have yellowed 

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You are right, all the "Gold" chevrons are on Navy Blue. I will try washing them as suggested in my other post and see what happens.

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  • 4 weeks later...
On 4/1/2014 at 4:59 PM, sigsaye said:

BMSN, jumper

post-2104-0-72735800-1396385944.jpg

Funny story....in the early 1960s I saw a BMSN ordering (non-BM) PO3s around on a destroyer escort I was stationed on.

Second funny story...while in transit barracks at Treasure Island, San Francisco, I saw a BMSN with two hashmarks on his blue uniform. Made me wonder at what stories he might have.

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TheCrustyBosun
40 minutes ago, dpcsdan said:

Second funny story...while in transit barracks at Treasure Island, San Francisco, I saw a BMSN with two hashmarks on his blue uniform. Made me wonder at what stories he might have.


In the Coast Guard, we used to say that you ain’t a real boatswains mate until you’ve been busted at least once. When I mustered our after twelve years of service, I was only an E-4. My buddies called me the Master Boatswains Mate Third Class of the Coast Guard. 

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Salvage Sailor

A Sea Story.....

 

With the crew mustered for an awards ceremony, the Captain begins to pass out the commendations and awards.  He faces our BM1, a salty 12 year sailor who resembles Popeye, and hands him a Good Conduct medal.  The mustang Captain cocks his head and eyes the Bo'sun....."Stark, you've got one of these, yes?"

 

Says the Bo'sun "Oh NO Sir!" and grins from ear to ear.....

 

There ya go

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TheCrustyBosun
22 minutes ago, Salvage Sailor said:

A Sea Story.....

 

With the crew mustered for an awards ceremony, the Captain begins to pass out the commendations and awards.  He faces our BM1, a salty 12 year sailor who resembles Popeye, and hands him a Good Conduct medal.  The mustang Captain cocks his head and eyes the Bo'sun....."Stark, you've got one of these, yes?"

 

Says the Bo'sun "Oh NO Sir!" and grins from ear to ear.....

 

There ya go


Sounds about right. Someone had turned by name tag upside down on my bravo jacket. The CO comes by and asks me if there’s something wrong with it. I looked down and said, “Nothing, sir. I can read it just fine.”  It rated a smile out of him and no gigs for me.  

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1 hour ago, Salvage Sailor said:

A Sea Story.....

 

With the crew mustered for an awards ceremony, the Captain begins to pass out the commendations and awards.  He faces our BM1, a salty 12 year sailor who resembles Popeye, and hands him a Good Conduct medal.  The mustang Captain cocks his head and eyes the Bo'sun....."Stark, you've got one of these, yes?"

 

Says the Bo'sun "Oh NO Sir!" and grins from ear to ear.....

 

There ya go

One of my guys made SMC, BEFORE he got his first GCM. CO was some what surprised by that 🤣👍🏻

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TheCrustyBosun
20 minutes ago, sigsaye said:

One of my guys made SMC, BEFORE he got his first GCM. CO was some what surprised by that 🤣👍🏻

Dang! Should have gotten an achievement medal too!

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  • 1 month later...

Found three white jumpers today. E-1 stripes. Seaman and Fireman stripes. Don’t see very many of these, so I went ahead and bought these. 
 

 

4A96A19E-785A-4D4E-9B69-EA4473DD68E1.jpeg

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4108EF2E-B088-40A2-9EEE-CD1639FC2C20.jpeg

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