U.S. NAVY ENLISTED AVIATION WARFARE SPECIALIST TIE CLASP

The Aviation Warfare Specialist qualification was established through OPNAVINST 1412.5 in March 1980, which also authorized the insignia to be worn by enlisted personnel who had completed the requisite training programs and passed written examinations and an oral board.

Per Navy regulations that specify only gold tie clasps can be worn by Officers and CPOs, our CPO Aviation Warfare Specialist tie clasp features a gold tie tack decorated with a silver Aviation Warfare Specialist insignia. (Officers are not eligible for the Aviation Warfare Specialist qualification and insignia).

You might wonder why we carry an Aviation Warfare Specialist tie clasp for enlisted (E-1 to E-6) personnel since the only enlisted personnel currently authorized to wear four-in-hand neckties are Chief Petty Officers (E-7 to E-9). We do so because until 2004 enlisted male Sailors in the E-1 to E-6 wore the Winter Blue uniform which included a four-in-hand tie as a basic component, allowing veterans to maintain their uniforms at the standard that was prescribed when they were serving.