Trade (Branch) Badges
Ratings in the Royal Navy also carry trade badges on the right sleeve to indicate their specific job (the information carried on the left arm is the individual's rate - e.g. a leading rate, commonly called a leading hand).
As a nickname they are known as 'Killick' as their rate badge (worn on the left arm) is a Killick Anchor) who is also in the marine engineering department is known as a "Leading Marine Engineering Mechanic" (LMEM), whereas someone of the same rate who specialises in gunnery (LS(AWW)) (which would also make them responsible for certain seamanship aspects on the upper deck) will be known as "Leading Seaman" (LS).
An overview of trade badges is given here.
Variances with branch badges include stars and crowns above and below the logo of the branch to symbolise the rate of the person in possession of the badge
Read more about this topic: Royal Navy Ratings Rank Insignia
Famous quotes containing the words trade and/or badges:
“Until the end of the Middle Ages, and in many cases afterwards too, in order to obtain initiation in a trade of any sort whatever—whether that of courtier, soldier, administrator, merchant or workman—a boy did not amass the knowledge necessary to ply that trade before entering it, but threw himself into it; he then acquired the necessary knowledge.”
—Philippe Ariés (20th century)
“Whether our feet are compressed in iron shoes, our faces hidden with veils and masks; whether yoked with cows to draw the plow through its furrows, or classed with idiots, lunatics and criminals in the laws and constitutions of the State, the principle is the same; for the humiliations of the spirit are as real as the visible badges of servitude.”
—Elizabeth Cady Stanton (1815–1902)