RENEWED INTEREST - Forgotten Submariner Collector's Item - DBF Era

From Submarine Badges and Insignia of the World, An Illustrated Reference for Collectors, 1997, Pete Prichard, page, 122; ISBN: 0-7643-0255-8, Library of Congress Catalog Number: 96-72253

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.