New RCN pin marks progress toward command of a ship

Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) naval warfare officers are now eligible for a new pin that marks their progress toward command of a warship.

On May 16, 2022, the new pins were officially unveiled at Maritime Forces Pacific in Esquimalt, B.C.

This initiative builds upon similar RCN specialty skill badges which recognize unique qualifications, and it is similar to the surface warfare officer pin other navies use. As an occupation, RCN naval warfare officers train to one day command a warship or submarine.

“This new naval warfare officer badge recognizes the significant effort required to reach key career milestones within this occupation,” says Commander Amber Comisso, Director Personnel Policy 2 at RCN. “Naval Warfare Officers are encouraged to apply for their pins and to wear them with pride, as they are visual indicators of their progression towards command.”

The badge recognizes sea-going service and progression towards command, based upon successful completion of specific qualifications and positions held within Her Majesty’s Canadian ships and submarines. The three tiers of the badge are:

• Bronze – Given when a candidate receives a bridge watch keeping certificate on board a commissioned warship;
• Silver – Given to Regular Force members who are operations room officer qualified (with command development course completion), to submariners who have received their equivalent operations room officer qualification, or to Primary Reservists who are Orca-class officer-in-charge qualified; and
• Gold – Given for command of a commissioned warship.

In addition to the ceremony held on the West Coast, Maritime Forces Atlantic in Halifax and the Naval Staff in Ottawa also presented the badge to their first recipients the same day. At all three ceremonies, recipients included by Regular Force and Reserve Force personnel.

In order to qualify for the badge, a candidate must be a currently serving RCN member who is either a current or former naval warfare officer. Personnel can apply for the badges through their divisional system.