Badges

Step 1: How to sew on a badge.

All badges sewn onto your uniform are done in the same way. Every badge, crest and insignia has a thicker border to it. The thread you use must match the badge border. In sea cadets that color is black, 99% of the time. You must sew the badge on using the correct color thread using a straight stitch on the badge border. Sewing inside the badge (not on the border) or using a cross stitch over the border is incorrect.

In this diagram we illustrate the correct and incorrect stitching patterns. Please note that the color white was used to highlight the correct location. Black thread would have been used in this example.

Step 2: Your new uniform!

When you first receive your new uniform it will be your responsibility to ensure that the required badges and insignia are in their correct positions.

Step 3: Ranks

Rank badges (Able Cadet to Qualified Petty Officer First Class) are worn on the upper left sleeve, centered midway between the shoulder seam and the point of the elbow.
Rank Badges (Rated Petty Officer First Class to Chief Petty Officer First Class) are worn on the lower left sleeve, centered midway between the bottom of the cuff and the point of elbow.

Proficiency Badges

Proficiency badges are worn on the lower right sleeve, directly above the upper seam of the cuff.
They are awarded for attaining levels outside of summer training.
With the exception of the first aid badge, only one proficiency badge may be worn - if the first aid badge is worn it shall be placed in the superior position 6 mm above the proficiency badge.
You cannot wear a proficiency badge and qualification badge for the same thing together.
A pip badge is worn below the proficiency badge to indicate the level you have attained.

Other Badges / Medals

Duke of Edinburgh Award Badges shall be worn centered on the right breast pocket of the jacket (this has changed recently).
Staff cadet badge shall be worn on the upper right sleeve, 6 mm below the qualification badge, both badges being centered midway between the shoulder seam and the point of the elbow.
Service year badges are worn on the lower left sleeve, directly above the upper seam of the cuff. They represent the number of years completed in Cadets. They are also used to indicate qualification levels obtained when worn with Trade Group badges and Proficiency badges.
Corps crest badges are worn centered above the right breast pocket of the jacket, 3cm above it. If you are wearing a name tag, the name tag fits in the space between the tops of the pocket and the corps crest.
The Royal Canadian Sea Cadet Badge is worn on each shoulder of the tunic with the upper edge of the badge as close as possible to the shoulder seam.
Corps Title Badge is worn immediately below and in contact with the Royal Canadian Sea Cadet Badge.
Medals are worn centered above the left breast pocket of the tunic, touching the top of the pocket.