“The Only Easy Day was Yesterday” – Navy SEAL Training Slogan

One strike – one kill!

Nothing comes closer to saying this than the Navy SEAL’s insignia. The US Navy SEAL is one of the elite Special Forces units of the US Military and each Navy SEAL team has their own insignia that depicts their strengths and area of expertise.

History of the Navy SEAL Insignia

The transformation from being a naval recruit to becoming a SEAL is extraordinary. But a true SEAL is one who is given the SEAL warfare insignia to wear with pride. The insignia or the SEAL Trident is at the heart of this Special Forces unit. The Navy SEAL insignia was first created in the 1960’s and was given to all those members of the US Navy who had successfully completed the Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL (BUD/S) training followed by the completion of the SEAL Qualification Training and have then been designated to one of the U.S. Navy SEAL units.

It was in 1970 that the Department of US Navy authorized the use of the SEAL warfare insignia on SEAL service uniforms. The SEAL Trident is worn on the left breast of the SEAL or Navy uniform just above decorations and service ribbons. The SEAL insignia is used in the form of a gold metal pin for formal dress uniforms and as an embroidered patch for BDU’s (Battle Dress Uniform) and other camouflage uniforms.

There are three parts of the SEAL insignia and these symbolize the areas that Navy SEALs excel in —sea, air and land. Here is the representation of the Navy SEAL insignia:

* The anchor and the trident: SEA
* The eagle: AIR
* The pistol: LAND

The pistol is cocked and this represents readiness for battle. The Eagle’s wings are spread wide and this represents for courage, and strength.

Navy SEAL Team Insignia’s

There are 9 Navy SEAL teams, each commanded by a Navy Commander and consist of multiple operational platoons. Each of the 9 Navy SEAL teams has their own insignia. Here is an insight into these insignias: