The U.S. Navy Special Warfare Seaman (E-3) shoulder badge 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 required for wear on Service Dress Blue Jumper, Dinner Dress Blue, and Peacoat.

RATING is used in the U.S. Navy to designate occupations, Navy specialties, which denote specific skills and abilities of a sailor. Each naval rating has its own specialty badge, which is worn on the left sleeve of dress uniforms of enlisted personnel.

Ratings should not be confused with Rates, which describe the Navy's enlisted rank and pay-grades. Sailors are often defined by a combination of both their specialty (rating) and pay-grade. For example, if a sailor has a pay-grade of E-6 (Petty Officer First Class) and is a member of the Navy SEALs with a Special Warfare Operator (SO) specialty, then their combination defines that sailor's rating as: Special Warfare Operator First Class (SO1).

Sailors from pay-grades E-1 to E-3 have no rates and are considered to be in apprenticeships or training for a rating, thus the slang term "non-rates" when referring to them as a group. They are instead divided into five general occupational fields (airman, constructionman, fireman, hospitalman, or seaman).

The badge we are presenting is U.S. Navy Special Warfare Seaman (E-3).