History

The Waffen-SS adopted career & trade badges to distinguish personnel who had successfully completed SS-affiliated training courses and had reached a certain level of proficiency in a trade, skill, or function.

Originally, the Waffen-SS issued circular army-pattern badges, but they later developed their own diamond shaped badge.The diamonds were worn on the lower left uniform sleeve, around 3.5 cms above the cuff title.

Initially, all ranks were issued badges that were manufactured out of black wool and embroidered with aluminium wire. However, after the introduction of the field-grey uniform, it was determined that the badges produced using aluminium wire were only to be worn by Officers with their walking-out dress.

Non-Commissioned Officers and Enlisted Men were instead issued badges embroidered with silver/grey cotton thread. Officer grades would also wear these badges with their field uniforms.

Until February of 1936, the badges were supplied by the RZM, but after this date, they were issued by the qualifying body.

The coxswain insignia is in the same design as the one used by the German Army, which is on a black oval cloth patch that's much larger than the regular sleeve diamonds. It shows a ship's steering wheel superimposed on an anchor.

It was worn by qualified NCOs and EMs who had passed the military coxswain's exam for motor boats on inland waters.