The Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) has introduced a new uniform insignia to honour the critical role and prestige of command within the service, according to a press release.
The inaugural Command pins were presented during a high-profile visit to RFA Proteus, one of the fleet’s newest vessels, at Portsmouth Naval Base.
The ceremony, attended by Minister for the Armed Forces Luke Pollard and Fleet Commander Vice Admiral Andrew Burns, saw Proteus’ Commanding Officer, Captain Martin Jones, and RFA Commodore Sam Shattock receive the first pins. The insignia, which mirrors the Royal Navy equivalent, features two heraldic sea horses, a trident, crossed swords, and a naval crown, symbolising maritime power and responsibility.
Commodore Shattock commented in the news update: “It was a pleasure to receive the Command pin from the Fleet Commander today onboard RFA Proteus. The award of the pin to RFA Commanding Officers is an appreciated recognition of the continued professional development, skills, leadership, and management required of RFA Captains, along with the many years of seafaring experience.”
He also highlighted the importance of the insignia, adding: “The management and operation of large, versatile, and specialist vessels demands similar attributes to those of our Royal Navy colleagues, and this pin is an appropriate visible demonstration of that.”
The introduction of the Command pin, say the Royal Navy, coincides with the 120th anniversary of the RFA, which was established in 1905 to sustain Royal Navy operations at sea by providing food, fuel, and supplies. Over the years, RFA ships have expanded their remit, supporting humanitarian aid missions, peacekeeping, and anti-drug operations.
The Command pin initiative underscores the professionalism and contributions of the RFA while strengthening its ties with the Royal Navy.
Before clicking on this article I was looking at the thumbnail image of it. My first thought was why have they got a smiley cartoon alien character holding two handguns as the centre point of their new insignia. Even now enlarged I simply cannot un-see that image centred around the standout red elements. Was the designer a woke peacenik aving a laff I wonder.
As someone who had designed stuff like this, what you are seeing is personal to you and thus your assumption of intent (wokery) is silly. The design is good and a good basis for simplifying into other purposes. I was only thinking last month the RFA need a design and uniform and branding reboot to bring them closer to the timeless nature of sea travel and closer to the RN, so was happy to see this post today.
Ah, my favourite name for a missile is back! Haven’t seen you for a while
I don’t know what came before this, but I like it.
No need to be so uptight, It was merely a joke inspired upon my brain’s instant underlying subconscious take on something it couldn’t immediately visually rationalise (due to the low resolution) but which it tries to do so anyway extracting possibilities from its memory archive, and once that artificially imposed ‘solution’ has been made it becomes somewhat imprinted thereafter. Not my first or my last such circumstance no doubt. it’s actually a well known phenomena whereby the brain tends to forcibly recognise faces originally as a survival mechanism, or alternatively see faces in obscure objects (face on Mars the obvious… Read more »
I think anything that makes people remember the service is great. the guys and girls do a magnificent job keeping the fleet at sea. it’s often forgotten how much time they spend at sea and the wear and tear it puts on 5 ships is immense.
Good job they were given these pins after being awarded a pay rise…
AA
This is good, but it really does highlight how far HMG are pushing the roles of auxiliary vessels and crews. I’ve said it a few times but it’s really important to note the laws governing auxiliaries are not the same as the laws governing commissioned warships. Auxiliaries have all the risks in law attached that are attached to commissioned warships, in that they are always valid military targets no matter what they are doing ( as an example Argus could be acting as a “hospital ship” but according to the laws of war it would still be a valid target,… Read more »
A pay rise and a new patch wont solve the issues
A pay rise might solve some issues, though. Stops strikes and hopefully will improve recruitment & retention.
Hi John, I think I’m right in saying this pin/patch is only for those officers who have commanded a RFA vessel. So not everyone will get one.
War is on our doorstep and it’s always good to get our priorities at the forefront before the battle commences.