RENEWED INTEREST - Forgotten Submariner Collector's Item - DBF Era
The plate above is described by Prichard as ...
The ultimate in unauthorized badges, this "bush" submariner or "siren" badge,(USN-28), is the Submarine Service's answer to the Air Force "bush" pilot badge. It is a standard submarine badge with a very accomodating lady applied at center.
On the eve of the first few female assignments to limited U.S. submarines (late 2011-2012), the somewhat scarce bush / siren pin shown above in its gold, officer version, is about to undergo an unprecedented demand by worldwide submarine collectors. In the past it had been sought mainly by more serious U.S. collectors and perhaps a few submariners with actual DBF (Diesel Boat Forever) sentiments.
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Our thanks to Bubblehead for his serendipitous reminder. Interest in this item should soar after women crew come aboard. Now may be the time to collect these unauthorized items, as prices will surely increase.
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Down the road, who can tell how they might even be used in the fleet? Without doubt, some submariners have actually worn these pins ashore. Wearing of even (non bush) standard DBF pins, however, was a uniform violation punishable in the manner customary at the time - that's right, my friends, it was not punished!
The Diesel Boats Forever Insignia was an unofficial uniform breast pin worn in violation of uniform regulations by some officers and men of the United States Navy's Submarine Service in the 1970s. - Wikipedia
Submarines are always silent and strange.
posted by Vigilis @ 4:26 PM
5 comments
5 Comments:
I had nuthin t'do with that! I'm innocent I tell ya. Where's my lawer? What about my phone call?
Makes me wonder what the boomer patrol pin may look like after female integration. :)
Whoa! Hadn't thought of that. With the added "appendage" the entire pin might look sumthin like an eagle.
I've worn my bush pin on my dress uniform a few times!
Cookie, an ET3 was responsible, so you can relax.
Tom, as of yesterday there were a couple of DBF boomer pins for sale on Ebay. Whoever was making these could easily add tyhe accomodating lady to the boomer version, I am sure.
Martin, thank you for your feedback. I seriously doubt any of today's young submariners would believe how much fun we used to enjoy in those days. Would not be surprised to find the sub service run by SWOs someday in the near future.
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