While Commissioned Officers in the O-3 grade share the same insignia in the Navy, Coast Guard, and Marines, the difference in designations—Lieutenant in the seafaring services, Captain in the Marine Corps—can be slightly confusing during joint operations because a Navy or Coast Guard Captain is the highest-ranking Officer below Flag level in those services, while it’s not considered even a Field-Grade rank in the Marine Corps. Thankfully, the distinct O-3 insignia of two connected silver bars makes it immediately clear the level of authority given to the wearer.
All three services require their Officers to wear insignia of grade on the right-hand side of Garrison Caps and either branch of service (USMC Eagle, Globe, and Anchor) or Officer Cap device (Navy and Coast Guard) on the left-hand side. These insignia are the same size as those worn on the collar points of some shirts and overblouses, and are positioned so the long axis is vertically aligned. USN and USCG Lieutenants fasten the insignia to the Garrison Cap so the insignia’s center is 2" from the crease in the front of the cap and 1.5" from its bottom. Marine Corps Captains use the Garrison Cap’s fold as a guide for placement—the insignia should be placed so that the hem of the fold essentially bisects the insignia in, and the insignia is at roughly the midpoint of the fold.
Related items that we offer include Navy Garrison Caps (
khaki or
black), the USCG Garrison Cap (
Coast Guard serge blue), the USMC Garrison Cap (
male or
female), and Lieutenant / Captain
Collar Insignia.