Navy Belt Buckles

Part of the reason for the strict regulation of uniform wear in the U.S. Navy is to help enforce group cohesion between sailors and build camaraderie between crew members. A uniform dress code helps enforce the concept that each crew member is part of the same team and working together on shared goals. In the Navy, regulations exist for almost every part of their uniforms and extend to multiple uniform types intended for different situations. 

Navy belt buckles, however, are offered slightly more leeway, the following are regulations listed from the Naval Uniform Regulations:

Officers/CPOs: Naval officers are required to wear plain gold anodized Navy belt buckles for official inspections and ceremonial functions in their dress uniform. Outside of that, however, officers can choose between plain or decorated gold belt buckles. Decorated belt buckles must be decorated with naval insignia, designs, emblems, or other symbols related to, their command, or if they’re stationed ashore, to a previous sea command.”

These regulations apply to the belt buckles worn by the following ranks:

• Chief Petty Officers (CPO)
• Senior Chief Petty Officer (SCPO)
• Master Chief Petty Officer (MCPO)
• Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy (MCPON)

Enlisted Sailors: For official inspections and ceremonial occasions, lesser ranks are allowed to wear a plain anodized silver belt buckle.  Like their officers, they otherwise have a little more leeway outside of those occasions, with choices between wearing plain belt buckles and decorated belt buckles bearing naval insignia, designs, emblems, or other symbols related to their group.

These regulations apply to belt buckles worn by the following ranks:

• Seaman Recruits (SR)
• Seaman Apprentices (SA)
• Seaman (SN)
• Petty Officer Third Class (PO3)
• Petty Officer Second Class (PO2)
• Petty Officer First Class (PO1)