Badges of the South African National Defence Force

Not for Ourselves, but for Others

Created with Sketch.

 

The badges authorised for wear are listed here. If members from other arms of service qualify for these badges, they are also permitted to wear them, The criteria are, in most cases, current but there is some historical information included.

Note: This is not the complete list of badges, but of the most common.

  Good Conduct Stripes – These are worn on the right (pocket), below the name badge

Good Conduct Stripes – Level One

 

Good Conduct Stripes – Level Two

Good Conduct Stripes – Level Three

Badge for Reserve Voluntary Service (BRVS)

Awarding Authority: SANDF Director Ceremonial and Music

Criteria: The identification is only awarded to members of the Part Time Forces who have completed 5 years exemplary voluntary service (ie over and above any compulsory service). Unit commanders must submit a reasoned recommendation (which covers the member’s actual active participation in the unit’s activities) via the Command/Formation HQ to Director Ceremonial and Music for approval.

The Badge for voluntary service is awarded to Officers, Warrant Officers, Non-Commissioned Officers and Other Ranks of the Reserve Force of the South African National Defence Force who complete a period of five years of exemplary voluntary service in the Reserve Force of the South African National Defence Force.

The Badge is awarded by the Chief of the SANDF on the recommendation of the Chief of the Services, to whom the awarding powers of the C SANDF may be delegated.

The design of the Badge is that of the Badge of the South African National Defence Force in enamel, encircled by a gilt protea wreath, the whole 30 mm in height by 25 mm in width. A cloth emblem is also issued to a recipient in to be worn in accordance with the prescribed dress regulations.

As a National Defence Force distinction for exemplary voluntary Reserve Force service, the Badge takes precedence over and is worn above badges for proficiency, qualification, trades or identity.

Divisional, Formation and Unit commanders recommend to the next higher headquarters on the prescribed form, the award of the Badge in respect of each qualifying member of the Reserve Force.

The Badge may also be awarded for service in honorary appointments.

The institution, wearing, conditions, restrictions and procedures for the award is prescribed in CSANDF Instruction No 05/04 under reference HR SUP CEN/AWARDS/R/104/13/2/8/1/P dated 17 August 2004

Note: Members who subsequently join the Permanent Force, or serve full time, are not permitted to wear the identification

 

61 Mechanised Battalion Operational Service Badge

Awarding Authority: Awarding of this badge has been suspended

Criteria

1.Served in the unit for a specified period

2. Participated in an operation or helped to ensure success in an operation in which the unit participated

3. No criminal record

 

The unit awarded a small badge called the Operational Badge for those in or attached to the unit who deployed with the unit on operational duties. The initial version of this had a yellow backing and was awarded only for cross border operations into Angola. A subsequent version with a green backing was introduced which was for internal duties. The badge consists of a dagger with three diagonal lightning bolts in red across it. A subdued version was produced for wear on nutria (brown’s) uniforms. With the introduction of camouflage, a new version was produced on green thatching.

Artillery

General of the Gunners

Awarding Authority: GOC SA Army Artillery Formation

Criteria: An SAA or ADA officer nominated by GOC SA Army Arty Fmn and the outgoing General of the Gunners and approved by the Chief of the Army

Master Gunner

Awarding Authority: GOC SA Army Arty Fmn

Criteria

  1. A serving member of the SAA at the time of the award

2. An RSA citizen of at least seven years standing

3. Successfully completed a long gunnery course OR qualified as indicated in the succeeding sub-subparagraphs

4. Course qualified battery commander or GSM

5. Preferably obtained a first class qualification on all his SAA courses

6. Occupied the post of battery commander, or unit 2IC, or artillery instructor (School of Artillery, or Combat Training Centre) or GSM for at least 1 year

7. His conduct, discipline and bearing must be exemplary and to the satisfaction of the Corps Council

8. He must have a solid reputation as a capable artilleryman amongst his seniors, contemporaries and juniors

9. It will be to his advantage to have participated in a specific operation, or to have served in an operational area for a period of at least three months

10. He must have produced at least one original artillery publication as a result of research and study, used as reference or training material and approved by the Corps Council

Artillery No 1

Awarding Authority: GOC SA Army Arty Fmn.

Criteria

  1. Qualified on the Ordnance Commanders and Technical Services and Fire Control Course with a first class ranking

2. Hold the rank of sergeant, staff sergeant or warrant officer.

Note: This may not be worn together with the Master Gunner Identification

Dog Handler’s Qualification

Dog Handler

Awarding Authority: Awarding of this badge has been suspended

Criteria: Successful completion of the Basic Dog Handler’s Course

Dog Instructor

Awarding Authority: Awarding of this badge has been suspended

Criteria: Successfully completed the PF Dog Instructors Course

Equestrian

Basic Equestrian

Awarding Authority: Awarding of this badge has been suspended

Criteria: Qualified on a Basic Equestrian Course

Equestrian Instructor

Awarding Authority: Awarding of this badge has been suspended

Criteria: Qualified on an Equestrian Instructor’s Course with the following results:

a. Dressage elementary test No 5 – 50%

b. Show jumping D Level course – 60%

c. Field obstacles – 60%

d. Teaching practices – 60%

Equestrian Advanced

Awarding Authority: Awarding of this badge has been suspended

Criteria

  1. This identification is only awarded to riders of international standard

2. The member must have qualified on an advanced equestrian course or an equivalent foreign course

101 Air Supply Unit

Air Supply

Awarding Authority: The Officer Commanding DOD Air Supply Unit

Criteria: Successful completion of Course OSC Mod 52 Basic Air Supply

Air Supply Instructor

Awarding Authority: The Officer Commanding DOD Air Supply Unit

Criteria: Successful completion of Course OSC Mod 62 Air-Supply Instructor

Parachute Qualification Badges & Air Assault

Awarding Authority: GOC SA Army Infantry Formation, delegated to the Officer Commanding 44 Parachute Regiment. The qualification badge will be issued on completion of the course and will be controlled by means of a register kept

Paratrooper Basic

Criteria: Successfully completed the basic parachute jumping course Mod 701 PARA 1A at 44 Parachute Brigade Training Unit

Paratrooper Dispatcher

Criteria: Completed the static line dispatcher’s course Mod 701 PARA 3

Paratrooper Instructor

Criteria: Successful completion of the static line instructor’s course Mod 701 PARA 4

Free Fall Paratrooper

Criteria: Successful completion of the basic free fall parachute course Mod 701 PARA 6A

Paratrooper Free Fall Instructor

Criteria: Successful completion of the Free Fall Instructor’s course Mod 701 PARA 8

Pathfinder

Criteria: Successful completion of the Pathfinder course

Air Assault

6 South African Infantry Battalion

Musketry Proficiency

2nd Class Shot – Rifle

Awarding Authority: Unit Commanders

Criteria: Score of 90-104 in rifle exercise Table 2 or 60%

1st Class Shot – Rifle

Awarding Authority: Unit Commanders

Criteria: Score of 105 Points or more in rifle exercise Table 2 or 70% in the ARSA Watch 1

2nd Class Shot – Pistol (Bronze)

Awarding Authority: Unit Commanders

1st Class Shot – Pistol (Silver)

Awarding Authority: Unit Commanders

Physical Training Instructor’s Qualification Badges

Awarding Authority: In all cases Director Physical Training Sport and Recreation, SAMHS

Advanced PT Instructor

Criteria: Qualification on the PT Instructor’s Course

Assistant PT Instructor

Criteria: Qualification on the assistant PT Instructors Course

South African Special Forces

Qualification: Special Forces Operator Identification

Awarding Authority: General Officer Commanding Special Forces approves the awarding of the Special Forces Operators Badge on the recommendation of an internal selection board

Criteria: The badge is only awarded to members on successful completion of the Special Forces Basic Cycle

Note: The identification does not have a stock number, and is issued according to a numerical sequence. (The master list is maintained by Special Forces Headquarters)

Special Forces Operator Identification (Gold, 10 Years)

Awarding Authority: General Officer Commanding Special Forces

Criteria: The member must have completed 10 years service within the Special Forces Headquarters or subordinate units as a qualified Special Forces Operator

Attack Diver

Awarding Authority: General Officer Commanding Special Forces

Criteria: The bronze qualification badge is awarded to Special Forces’ operators who are proficient Attack Divers

Attack Diver Instructor

Awarding Authority: General Officer Commanding Special Forces

Criteria: The silver qualification badge is awarded to Special Forces’ operators who are proficient Attack Diver Instructors

Special Forces Dive Instructor

Awarding Authority: General Officer Commanding Special Forces

 

Submarine Operator

Awarding Authority: General Officer Commanding Special Forces

 

Marksman

Awarding Authority: General Officer Commanding Special Forces

Sniper

Awarding Authority: The Identification is being awarded by both the South African Infantry School and the South African Special Forces Brigade in spite of the two being completely different courses.

Criteria: Qualification on an SA Army Sniper’s Qualification Course

Tracker

Criteria: Qualified on a Basic Tracking Course

Awarding Authority: General Officer Commanding Special Forces

Tracker Instructor

Criteria: Qualified on a Tracker Instructor’s Course

Awarding Authority: General Officer Commanding Special Forces

Forward Air Controller

Awarding Authority: General Officer Commanding Special Forces

 

Chaplains

Chaplain Christian

Chaplain Hindu

Chaplain Jewish

Chaplain Muslim

Demolitions Qualifications

Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD)

Awarding Authority: OC Ammunition School

Criteria: Qualification on the EOD course at the Ammunition School of the Ammunition Corps

Demolitions Phase 1 Qualification (Dems 1)

Awarding Authority: The Awarding Authority is the GOC SA Army Engineer Formation but delegated in writing to the Officer Commanding South African School of Engineers

Criteria: Any member who has successfully completed the Dems 1 Course may wear the Demolitions

Demolitions Phase 2 Qualification Badge. (Tactical Demolitions)

Awarding Authority: The Awarding Authority is the GOC SA Army Engineer Formation but delegated in writing to the Officer Commanding South African School of Engineers

Criteria: Demolition Phase 2 Qualification Badge may only be worn by SAEC members who have successfully completed the Dems 2 Course

Improvised Explosive Device Disposal Qualification Badge (IEDD)

Awarding Authority: The Awarding Authority is the GOC SA Army Engineer Formation but delegated in writing to the Officer Commanding School of Engineers (South Africa)

Criteria: The IEDD Qualification Badge may only be worn by All Arms members who have successfully completed the IEDD Course

Fireman’s Qualification

Fire Fighter

Criteria Qualification on the Fire Fighter 2 Course (Practical and Theory)

Awarding Authority: SSO Fire & Rescue Services (Log Div) as the functional competency authority for Fire and Rescue Services in the DOD after completion of training at DOD Fire Training School and recommendation by the OC

Only officers in posts directly connected with firefighting may wear the badge

Senior Fire Fighter

Description: Senior Fire Fighter; Chrome (Silver helmet and crossed axes on a red background surrounded by a protea wreath)

Motorcyclist Qualification

Motor Cyclist

Awarding Authority: Award of this badge has been suspended

Criteria: Qualified on a Basic Motor Cycle Course

Motor Cycle Instructor

Awarding Authority: Award of this badge has been suspended

Criteria: Qualified on a Motor Cycle Instructor’s Course

Practitioner

Internal Audit and Investigator Practitioner

Military Law Practitioner

SA Bandsmen

Musician badge

Senior Musician badge

Principle Musician badge

Chief Musician badge

Group Leader badge

Band Master badge

Director of Music badge

Senior Director of Music badge

South African Air Force – Aircrew Brevet

Pilot

Air Force Reserve Squadron

Pilots Wings (0-500 hrs)

Pilots Wings (500-2500 hrs)

Pilots Wings (2500+ hrs)

Navigator

Electronic Technician

Electronic Warfare Operator

Flight Engineer

Loadmaster

Radio Operator

Flight Attendant

South African Air Force – Mustering & Proficiency

Armourer

Caterer

Command Control

Intelligence

Personnel

Protection

Military Police

SAAF Task Force

South African Medical Health Services

Medical Doctor

Awarding Authority: Surgeon General

Criteria: Qualified Medical Doctor

Medical Operators Badge Doctor

Awarding Authority: 7 Medical Battalion Group

Criteria: Qualified Medical Doctor having completed the 7 Med Operators Cycle

Medical Operators Badge Medic

Awarding Authority: 7 Medical Battalion Group

Criteria: Qualified Ops Medic having completed the 7 Med Operators Cycle

Ops Medic Badge – Operational Medical Orderly

Awarding Authority: School for Military Health Training Formation

Criteria: Qualified Ops Medic Course

Paramedic Badge

Awarding Authority: Surgeon General

Criteria: Qualified Paramedic

Nurse Officer Badge

Awarding Authority: School for Military Health Training Formation

Criteria: Qualified Nurse Officer

Medical Combat Officer / Technical and Administration

Awarding Authority: Surgeon General

 

South African Navy

Bridge Watch Executive Officer

Strike Craft Flotilla

Submariner – Watch Keeper

Submariner

Mine Counter Measures

Engineer

Marines

Ships Diver

Part 2 Diver – Harbor Diver

Part 3 Diver – Marine Warfare and Clearance

Independent Ships and Air/Sea Rescue