What wearing the NSW Warfare Insignia means to me

By: frogman80 Mood: accomplished Date: 12/05/7653 12:18:48 Music: None

I have been asked what wearing the NSW Warfare Insignia means to me.

The short answer is that the warfare insignia represents my accomplishments in achieving the requirement set forth for earning the right to wear the insignia.  That is also the technical answer as well. 

However, this question has a much deeper response.  What I am about to describe can be applied to any warfare insignia of any service but again, the true meaning of what wearing any warfare insignia can’t be truly appreciated until once the right to wear the insignia has been accomplished.

This is my answer to what wearing the NSW Warfare Insignia; we call the “Trident”, means to me: 

Wearing the Trident signifies that I have accomplished standards that have been established by Navy Frogmen and SEAL predecessors.  Not only have these standards been handed down in the Navy time honored tradition, but they have been fine tuned through the sacrifices and experiences made by my Teammates.  The Trident represents the “TEAM”.  This TEAM concept signifies the uniform minimum standards that EVERY man has earned.  The Trident is a metal pin that displays to others the right to be called as Frogman and/or SEAL.  These standards are not easily accomplished.  There must be an enormous amount of sheer determination and physical effort expended to prevail in each of the standards.  Every man is challenged to the extremes of both his physical and mental abilities while instilling and testing the TEAM concept. Only those who do succeed in accomplishing this program earn the right to be in the TEAMs.  Though the Trident has undergone several design modifications and despite whether the old Frogman wore an insignia or not, the accomplishment of the standards to be a Frogman or SEAL outweighs the need to wear a metal pin. 

For the accomplishment and recognition is in each man’s sole and heart. The metal pin only aids in identifying members of this elite group.  More importantly, it is the successful completion this training program and being part of the TEAM, why there is a significant bond that is experienced between every team member, both young and old.

The TEAMs represent a brotherhood of determination, dedication and commitment that each member has sworn to each other and his country.  This bond is more than unique, it is a lifetime relationship.  This bond is closer than any husband and wife commitment and is not without faith. 

Faith in each other is what the success of being a Frogman or a SEAL is all about. That is why it is called a TEAM; for each man’s commitment and the success of a TEAM, are based on this faith.

I am proud to wear my Trident, because I am a member of the TEAMs.