United States Navy Miniature Reserve Merchant Marine Officer Insignia

Criteria: Naval Reserve Merchant Marine Insignia is a breast insignia of officers in the United States Merchant Marine who also serve or have served in the United States Navy or United States Naval Reserve. The Merchant Marine Reserve had its beginnings in 1913 when it was called the Naval Auxiliary Reserve. The original merchant marine insignia was prescribed in “Changes in Uniform Regulations, United States Navy, 1913 No. 10.” Uniforms for the entire Naval Reserve were authorized by Congress on 31 March 1915 as the possibility of U.S. involvement in World War I increased.

According to U.S. Navy Uniform Regulations, the Merchant Marine Reserve Insignia is an approved breast qualification insignia for wear on prescribed U.S. Navy uniforms. It is not classified as a warfare qualification insignia. The breast insignia may be worn by:

-An officer holding a valid U.S. Merchant Marine Officer License for vessels of unlimited ocean tonnage or horsepower;

-U.S. Merchant Marine Officers who are also U.S. Naval Reserve officers while wearing a U.S. Merchant Marine or U.S. Maritime Service uniform; and

-Merchant Marine Reserve, USNR Midshipmen such as those at the United States Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point.