THE INDIAN NAVY’S SUBMARINE BADGE

Sailors, soldiers and airmen all over the world have always taken special pride in features of their uniforms that have made them stand out among their comrades. Even within their own Services, they have this urge to be different, and adopt insignia and emblems that distinguish them as belonging to a special group. This is particularly true of those who voluntarily undertake to face special hazards such as flying, or operating in the ocean depths.

The pioneers of the Indian Submarine Arm underwent training in the UK and in the USSR. In both these countries, submariners had the tradition of wearing a distinctive badge that proudly proclaimed their profession. When our Navy set up its won Submarine Arm, it was natural that they should start about choosing a badge for the new elite force. Out of large number of proposals a design was finally chosen that depicted two dolphins with the State emblem, the Ashoka Lions, in the middle. Interestingly, our submarine badge is closest in resemblance, not to the Royal or Soviet submarine insignia, but to the American.

One interesting aspect of the Indian Navy’s submarine badge is that it is worn by all submariners, irrespective of rank or branch, unlike in the Soviet Navy, where only the Commanding Officer, the Executive Officer, and the Engineer Officer are entitled to this coveted symbol. Also there is no distinction between badges worn by different personnel, such as the gold and silver badges in the US Navy.

Another little –known fact is that the Indian submariners initially wore their badges on the right breast. The badge was later shifted to the left in order, some submariners say, to bring the emblem of honour closer to the heart! A more prosaic explanation, and one that is more convincing, is that the badge was shifted to make way for the name tally that was introduced as a compulsory item of uniform in the early seventies.