The U.S. Navy Special Warfare Operator (SO) insignia is an original badge manufactured in the U.S.A. in accordance with applicable U.S. Government specifications.

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. 

Sailors who complete BUD/S training in Coronado, California, are reclassified to the Special Warfare Operator (SO) rank. 

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

A SEAL's core skills consist of: sniper, breacher, communicator, maritime/engineering, close air support, driver, navigator (rural/urban/protective security), heavy weapons operator, sensitive site exploitation, air operations (parachuting/helicopter insertion, etc.), climber, interrogator, technical surveillance, and advanced special operations. 

SEALs oversee ocean-borne mine disposal, carry out direct action raids against military targets, conduct reconnaissance, and secure beachheads for invading amphibious forces.