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New badge for trainee Royal Navy submariners
29 September 2020
Royal Navy Submariner Trainees across the country have been recognised from Friday, September 25 with the presentation of a set of unique training dolphins.
Traditionally the Gold Dolphin badge has been the mark of a qualified submariner. First presented in the 1950s, the current badge – which depicts two dolphins and an anchor with a crown – was introduced back in 1972.
Up to now, those joining the Submarine Service have had no insignia recognising them as Submarine Service trainees. But from now, the men and women undergoing initial Royal Naval training who have chosen or have been selected to join the submarine service will have the right to wear their own version of the dolphin badge.
The new training dolphins are a similar size and design as the traditional gold dolphins but are black in colour.
Being presented with the first set of training dolphins at HM Naval Base Clyde were the students of the current SMQ class who received them from the Head of the Royal Navy Submarine Service, Commodore Jim Perks.
The introduction of the submarine training badge marks an important step in the career of those choosing to serve as submariners. The badge will rightly recognise the progression within the Submarine Service from trainee to fully qualified submariner. Training dolphins will increase our Service’s visibility within our training establishment and potentially increase the number of volunteers. With the skills and knowledge, they will attain going forward, they will turn their training badge into gold.
While the new badge was presented at Faslane, trainee submariners across the UK were also receiving theirs.
All new entry officers and ratings on streaming submarines at Britannia Royal Naval College and HMS Raleigh will be eligible to wear the badge, which will better recognise career progression and mark entry into the Submarine Service.