The U.S. Navy Special Warfare embroidered insignia is an original badge manufactured in the U.S.A. in accordance with applicable U.S. Government specifications. The badge is certified by the U.S. Navy and mandatory for wear on uniforms in NWU Type-II Desert camouflage as of October 1, 2019. Background material for an embroidered badge must match the uniform on which the badge is worn.

Special Warfare operators are Navy SEALs who are the U.S. Navy's primary unconventional warfare unit that conducts SEa, Air, Land (SEAL) warfare.

The Special Warfare badge is awarded to members of the U.S. Navy who have completed Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL (BUD/S) training, the basic parachutist course and the SEAL Qualification Training (SQT) program and are assigned to Navy SEAL Teams or SEAL Delivery Vehicle (SDV) Teams. 

Sailors who complete BUD/S training in Coronado, California, are reclassified to the Special Warfare Operator (SO) rank. Sailors must complete SEAL Qualification Training (SQT) before receiving Navy Enlisted Classification (NEC) Combatant Swimmer (SEAL) or, in the case of Navy officers, Naval Special Warfare (SEAL) Officer. 

The insignia is the same for both officer and enlisted personnel and is one of only three breast insignia authorized for enlisted personnel that is gold in color. Taking the training to become a Navy SEAL and earn the Special Warfare badge is voluntary and both officers and enlisted, when they participate in BUD/S, receive identical training regardless of rank or qualification.

The Special Warfare badge is one of the U.S. Navy's most recognizable breast insignias.