A Question of Badges?

A question arose after ANZAC Day 2019 where a Communicator was seen wearing the Communication Warfare Specialist badge on the sleeve and a Sparkers badge on the cuff in a similar fashion to the Navigator Yeoman, Marksman and Ships Diving badges.

The question was posed to the Communications world and the answer is as follows:

IAW NZBR 3 Ch 2 the CWS trade is to wear their specialist trade as below.

0220. Specialist Qualification Badges

1. Badges for additional specialist qualifications awarded to ratings within the RNZN are listed below:

a. Ship’s Diver. Awarded to personnel that have completed the Defence Diver Course.
b. Navigator’s Yeoman. Awarded to personnel that have completed the Navigator’s Yeoman Course.
c. Anti-submarine Aircraft Controller. Awarded to personnel that have completed the Anti-submarine/Surface Aircraft Controller Course.
d. Marksman. Awarded to personnel that have obtained the qualification of Marksman.
e. Bugler. Awarded to personnel that have obtained the qualification of Bugler.
f. Flight Deck Officer. Awarded to personnel that have obtained the qualification of Flight Deck Officer.
g. Yeoman of Signals. Awarded to personnel that have obtained the qualification of Yeoman of Signals.
h. Radio Supervisor. Awarded to personnel that have obtained the qualification of Radio Supervisor.

2. Specialist qualification badges are not worn by Officers or Warrant Officers and are worn on the right cuff by other ratings as follows:

a. By Chief Petty Officers – 7mm above the centre cuff button on black service dress jackets.
b. By Petty Officers – 40mm above the end of the sleeve on black service dress jackets.
c. By Junior Ratings – 40mm above the end of the sleeve on black and white service jackets.

So there you go. the old branch badges continue to be recognised.