Insignia

Midshipman insignia — by class

You don't wear officer rank. You wear midshipman insignia — and it changes every year. Click each class to see exactly what changes. All specs from ROD Appendix H § 2-20.

4/C 3/C 2/C 1/C

4/C shoulder board — actual product photo (Vanguard)

Fourth Class

FRESHMAN — NO STRIPES

• Shoulder boards: navy board with gold fouled anchor — no stripes.
• Sleeve class insignia: none on the SDB coat.
• Collar: gold anchor devices (both sides).

Plainest board in the battalion. Everyone knows you're a 4/C — that's fine, it's the only year you get to be new.

3/C shoulder board — actual product photo (Vanguard)

Third Class

SOPHOMORE — ONE DIAGONAL STRIPE

• Shoulder boards: gold fouled anchor plus one diagonal (slanted) gold stripe.
• Sleeve class insignia: one horizontal stripe on the left sleeve of the SDB coat.
• Collar: gold anchor devices (both sides).

One slanted stripe. The diagonal is what separates you from the freshmen — and from the seniors.

2/C shoulder board — actual product photo (Vanguard)

Second Class

JUNIOR — TWO DIAGONAL STRIPES

• Shoulder boards: gold fouled anchor plus two diagonal (slanted) gold stripes.
• Sleeve class insignia: two horizontal stripes on the left sleeve of the SDB coat.
• Collar: gold anchor devices (both sides).

Two slanted stripes. You're upperclass now — dress like it.

1/C shoulder board — actual product photo (Vanguard)

First Class

SENIOR — ONE HORIZONTAL STRIPE

• Shoulder boards: gold fouled anchor plus one horizontal (straight) gold stripe — the only straight stripe in the battalion.
• Sleeve class insignia: three horizontal stripes on the left sleeve of the SDB coat.
• Billet bars: if you hold a battalion billet, you add 1 to 6 gold bars — Battalion Commander rates 6 (Captain equivalent), XO 5, down to 1 (Ensign equivalent).

One straight stripe — and if you hold a billet, the bars are the visible chain of command. Six bars walks in and the room notices.

Shoulder board specs: ROD Appendix H §§ 19–20 (Senior: 1 horizontal; Junior: 2 diagonal; Sophomore: 1 diagonal; Freshman: none). Sleeve class insignia: horizontal stripes on left sleeve, SDB only (1/C: 3, 2/C: 2, 3/C: 1, 4/C: none). Photos: Vanguard NROTC hard shoulder boards. Not to be confused with U.S. Naval Academy midshipman insignia, which is a separate system.