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The U.S. Naval Academy
Midshipmen Uniform Regulations

3102. Class and Rank Insignia

  1. Sleeve Class Insignia.

    Consists of stripes worn on the sleeves of Service Dress Blue and Full Dress Blue coats to indicate class. 
    1. Midshipmen, First Class.
      Wear one stripe of yellow braid, 1/8 inch wide, around each sleeve, placing the lower edge of the stripe 2 inches from and parallel to the edge of the cuff.
      First class

    2. Midshipmen, Second Class.
      Wear two stripes of yellow braid, 1/8 inch wide on the left sleeve only. Place the stripes diagonally on the sleeve between the rear and front seams with the lowest stripes 4-1/2 inches above the edge of the cuff at the front seam and 11 inches at the rear seam.
      Second Class

    3. Midshipmen, Third Class.
      Wear the same as second class, except only the lower stripe shall be worn.
      Third Class

    4. Midshipmen, Fourth Class.
      Wear no sleeve stripes


  2. Sleeve Rank Insignia.

    1. Midshipmen Officers.
      Wear stripes and a gold star on both sleeves of blue coat. Place the stripes made of yellow braid, 1/8 inch wide, around each sleeve with the lower edge of the first stripe 2 inches from and parallel to the edge of the cuff, with 1/4 inch spaces between stripes. Center a gold embroidered, five-point star, that is 1 inch across, above the stripe(s). One ray of the star points down, and the point is 3/4 inch above the upper stripe.
      1. Captain.
        Wear six stripes.
        Captain

      2. Commander.
        Wear five stripes.
        Commander

      3. Lieutenant Commander.
        Wear four stripes
        Lieutenant Commander

      4. Lieutenant.
        Wear three stripes.
        Lieutenant

      5. Lieutenant (junior grade).  
        Wear two stripes.
        Lieutenant (junior grade)

      6. Ensign.
        Wear one stripe.
        Ensign


  3. Shirt Collar Insignia

    Shirt collar insignia consists of a gold fouled anchor, eagle, and bar worn on the collar tips of blue and khaki shirts, to indicate the wearer’s class and or rank.
    1. Insignia Indicating Class Rank
      1. Anchor Insignia.
        A gold metal fouled anchor, 5/8 inch (right and left).
      2. Eagle-Anchor Insignia.
        Consists of a spread eagle on gold metal fouled anchor. The device is 11/16 inch (right and left).
      3. Manner of Wear.
        On closed collar shirts, pin this insignia on the collar so that the center of the first bar is approximately 1 inch from the front edge and 1 inch below the upper edge of the collar. The upper edge of bars are parallel to upper edge of collar. On open collar shirts, including the NWU Type I blouse, all midshipmen, except Captains, center insignia one inch from the front and lower edges of the collar and position it with the vertical axis of the insignia along an imaginary line bisecting the angle of the collar point. Captains wear insignia 1/4 inch from the lower and outside edges of the collar and position it with the vertical axis of the insignia along an imaginary line bisecting the angle of the collar point.
        Manner of Wear
        1. Midshipmen, First Class of other then Officer Rank.
          Wear the eagle-anchor insignia on both collar points.
        2. Midshipmen, Second Class.
          Wear the anchor insignia on both collar points.
        3. Midshipmen, Third Class.
          Wear the anchor insignia on the right collar point only.
        4. Midshipmen, Fourth Class.
          Wear no insignia on collar.


    2. Insignia Indicating Midshipman and Officer Candidate Rank.
      1. Gold Metal Bars.
        Consists of gold metal bars, on the collar tips of blue and khaki shirts to indicate the wearer’s rank.
      2. Manner of Wear.
        On closed collar shirts, pin this insignia on the collar so that the center of the first bar is approximately 1 inch from the front edge and 1 inch below the upper edge of the collar. The upper edge of bars are parallel to upper edge of collar. On open collar shirts, all midshipmen, except Captains, center insignia one inch from the front and lower edges of the collar and position it with the vertical axis of the insignia along an imaginary line bisecting the angle of the collar point. Captains wear insignia 1/4 inch from the lower and outside edges of the collar and position it with the vertical axis of the insignia along an imaginary line bisecting the angle of the collar point.
        Manner of Wear
        1. Captain.
          Wear six parallel bars, each 3/4 inch wide, and spaced 1/8 inch apart, connected by a thin strip of wire or metal.
        2. Commander.
          Wear five parallel bars each 3/4 inch wide, and spaced 1/8 inch apart and connected by a thin strip of wire or metal. (c) Lieutenant Commander. Wear four parallel bars each 3/4 inch wide, and spaced 1/8 inch apart and connected by a thin strip of wire or metal.
        3. Lieutenant.
          Wear three parallel bars each 3/4 inch wide, and spaced 1/8 inch apart and connected by a thin strip of wire or metal.
        4. Lieutenant (junior grade).
          Wear two parallel bars each 3/4 inch wide, and spaced 1/8 inch apart and connected by a thin strip of wire or metal.
        5. Ensign.
          Wear one bar.



  4. Shoulder Boards.

    Consists of two types of shoulder boards, one indicating class and one indicating rank. Both measure either 5-1/2 inches (men) or 4-1/2 inches (women) long and 1-3/4 inches wide with outer end squared and inner end terminating in a symmetrical peak made of dark blue cloth. They are rigid and attached on the shoulder at the inner end by a 22 1/2-line Navy eagle, gilt button snap fastener. They are worn on the coat of Full Dress White uniforms (men), the blue overcoat, reefer, and Dinner Dress jacket.

    1. Class Shoulder Boards.
      The insignia for shoulder boards consists of a metal fouled anchor alone or in combination with stripes, indicating the wearer’s class. 
      1. Midshipmen, First Class.
        Center a gold metal fouled anchor, 1-1/16 inches in length, with other dimensions proportionate, on the shoulder board with the crown 2 inches from the squared end and the unfouled arm of the stock to the front. Place one yellow stripe, 1/8 inch wide, with the outer edge 5/8 inch from and parallel to the squared end of the shoulder board (right and left).
        Midshipmen, First Class

      2. Midshipmen, Second Class.
        Same as prescribed for Midshipman, First Class, except that there are two yellow stripes, 1/8 inch wide, placed diagonally across the shoulder board. The front edge of the bottom stripe is 5/8 inch and the rear edge of the bottom stripe is 1-5/8 inches from the squared end of the board. The stripes are parallel and spaced 1/8 inch apart; lower end to the front (right and left).
        Midshipmen, Second Class

      3. Midshipmen, Third Class.
        Same as prescribed for midshipmen, Second Class, but the upper stripe is omitted (right and left).
        Midshipmen, Third Class

      4. Midshipmen, Fourth Class.
        Same as midshipmen, First Class, but the stripe is omitted (right and left). For women the anchor crown is 1-1/4 inches from the squared end.
        Midshipmen, Fourth Class

    2. Rank Shoulder Boards. 
      The insignia worn on shoulder boards consists of a star, in combination with stripe(s), to indicate the wearer’s rank.
      1. Captain.
        Wear six yellow stripes, 1/8 inch wide. Place the lowest stripe 5/8 inch from and parallel to the squared end of the mark. Space other stripes 3/4 inch apart. Center a gold plated metal, five point star, 1/2 inch across on the shoulder board, with one point facing toward and the 1/2 inch from the upper stripe.
        Captain

      2. Commander.
        Same as prescribed for Captain, except there are five stripes.
        Commander

      3. Lieutenant Commander.
        Same as prescribed for Captain, except there are four stripes.
        Lieutenant Commander

      4. Lieutenant.
        Same as prescribed for Captain, except there are three stripes.
        Lieutenant

      5. Lieutenant (Junior Grade).
        Same as prescribed for Captain, except there are two stripes.
        Lieutenant (Junior Grade)

      6. Midshipman Ensign.
        Same as prescribed for Captain, except there is one stripe.
        Midshipman Ensign


    3. Shoulder Insignia.
      Consists of enlarged versions of the shirt collar insignia consisting of a gold fouled anchor, and eagle worn centered on the shoulder straps of Navy All Weather Coat or Relaxed Fit jacket ("Ike" jacket).
      1. Anchor Insignia.
        A gold metal fouled anchor, 1-1/16 inch (right and left).
      2. Eagle-Anchor Insignia.
        1. A spread eagle on gold metal fouled anchor. The device is 1-1/4 inch (right and left).
          1. Manner of Wear.
            Shall be worn centered on the shoulder straps of All-Weather coat and Relaxed Fit Jacket. The outer edge of the devices will be placed 3/4 inch from the squared end of the shoulder strap, unfouled.
            Manner of Wear
        1. Midshipmen, First Class.
        Wear the eagle insignia on both shoulders.
        2. Midshipmen, Second Class.
        Wear the anchor insignia on both shoulders.
        3. Midshipmen Third Class.
        Wear the anchor insignia on the right shoulder only.
        4. Midshipmen, Fourth Class.
        Wear no insignia on the shoulders.


    4.  Parka & Fleece Insignia (Includes NWU Type I/III and Cold Weather Parka).
      The rank insignia worn on the parka shall be an embroidered “slip on” insignia. The slip on insignia shall be placed on the insignia tab located on the outside and center of the parka. For the NWU Type III Parka, a slip on insignia made with NWU Type III material shall be used. For the NWU Type I and Cold Weather Parka, a slip on insignia made of black material shall be used.
      1. Midshipmen, First Class.

        Wear a slip on embroidered eagle and anchor insignia on the insignia tab.

      2. Midshipmen, Second Class.

        Wear a slip on embroidered anchor with two slanted stripes insignia on the insignia tab.

      3. Midshipmen Third Class.

        Wear a slip on embroidered anchor with one slanted stripe slip on the insignia tab.

      4. Midshipmen, Fourth Class.

        Wear no insignia on the insignia tab.


    5. NWU Type III Blouse Insignia.
      The rank insignia worn on the NWU Type III blouse shall be an embroidered “slip on” insignia. The slip on insignia shall be placed on the insignia tab located on the outside and center of the blouse. For the NWU Type III blouse, a slip on insignia made with NWU Type III material is the only authorized material that shall be worn.
      1. Midshipmen, First Class.
        Wear a slip on embroidered eagle and anchor insignia on the insignia tab. Note: when wearing the NWU Type III uniform on the Yard, 1/C Midshipmen may wear the metal rank insignia representing their current midshipman rank (e.g. MIDN CDR, LCDR, etc). This is the same size metal rank insignia worn on the collar of the working blue and khaki uniforms. The metal insignia shall be worn such that the gold bars run horizontally on the insignia tab of the blouse.
      2. Midshipmen, Second Class.
        Wear a slip on embroidered anchor with two slanted stripes insignia on the insignia tab.
      3. Midshipmen Third Class.
        Wear a slip on embroidered anchor with one slanted stripe slip on the insignia tab.
      4. Midshipmen, Fourth Class.
        Wear no insignia on the insignia tab.
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