How to Fly Captain's Insignia on a Navy Uniform

This officer is wearing U.S. Navy Dress Whites and Combo cap.

A Navy Captain's rank insignia is a silver eagle with the head turned to point toward the officer's right arm. All U.S. Navy line officers display insignia the same way on their uniforms regardless of their rank. Placement of insignia and devices is determined by the type of uniform being worn. Naval officers have four basic uniforms; Service Khakis, Summer White Service Uniform, Dress Whites and Dress Blues. There are also Bridge Coats, Reefers, Raincoats and Working Jackets. Service Khakis are light tan work uniforms. Summer White Service Uniforms are similar to service Khakis, only white. Dress Whites are dress uniforms worn in warm weather. Dress Blues are dress uniforms worn in cooler weather. Each of these uniforms has a different way to display rank and insignia.

Instructions

Service Khakis

1. Pin the service ribbons above the left pocket of the shirt with the warfare insignia centered above them.

2. Affix the name tag above the right breast pocket.

3. Affix the Captain's rank insignia to both collars.

4. Affix the rank collar device to the right side of the garrison cap. Affix the officer's crest to the left.

5. Affix the officer's crest in the center of the cap with golden oak leaf embellishments on the brim, if wearing the combo cap.

Summer White Service Uniform

1. Wear the Captain's stripes on the shoulder board. Captain's stripes consist of four thin gold stripes with a gold star above them.

2. Place service ribbons above the left pocket of the shirt with warfare insignia affixed above the ribbons.

3. Affix the name tag above the right breast pocket.

4. Center and attach the officer's crest to the front of the Combo cap.

5. Inspect the Golden oak leaf embellishments on the brim of the combo cap for wear or dirt.

Dress Whites

1. Install the shoulder boards on the left and right shoulders of the jacket. The shoulder boards display the Captain's rank using a series of three thin gold stripes with a gold star centered above them.

2. Center and pin the service ribbons above the left pocket of the jacket.

3. Center the warfare insignia above the service ribbons.

4. Center the name tag above the right jacket pocket.

5. Center the officer's crest on the front of the Combo cap with golden oak leaf embellishments on the brim.

Dress Blues

1. Sew the Captain's stripes on the lower sleeves.

2. Center the service ribbons over the left pocket of the jacket.

3. Center the warfare insignia above the service ribbons.

Bridge Coat , Reefer, Raincoat and Working Jacket

1. Display the Captain's stripes on the shoulder boards of the Bridge coat and Reefer. No other insignia is displayed.

2. Pin the Captain's rank Insignia on the right collar of the Raincoat and Working jacket.

3. Pin the officer's crest on the left collar of the Raincoat and Working jacket. No other insignia is displayed.

References

• U.S. Department of Defense: Officer Rank Insignia
• Navy.mil: Rank Insignia of Navy Commissioned and Warrant Officers

Resources

• USNST.org: Special Uniform Situations