Per Navy uniform regulations, our Petty Officer Third Class belt buckle is silver and features “appropriate naval insignia…to which the wearer is entitled”—i.e., the E-4 rate insignia used as a headgear device on the Garrison Cap and Ball Cap. It features the perched “Navy eagle” found on the Enlisted (E-1 – E-3) buckle insignia, but instead of the initials “USN” above the eagle, the Petty Officer Third Class (PO3) buckle has a single chevron beneath it. The design also recalls the PO3 rating badge, which places the wearer’s specialty mark between the chevron and the eagle.
We offer the silver PO3 belt buckle in Male and Female sizes to accommodate the varying belt widths prescribed by Navy regulations. Silver buckles are basic components of the female Dinner Dress White and Full Dress White uniforms, and are optional with the Service Dress White. Male enlisted personnel are required to wear silver buckles with the Service Dress White, Full Dress White, Dinner Dress White, and the Enlisted Service uniforms. Silver buckles are required components of both male and female Coveralls, the Navy Working Uniform (NWU), and the Type III NWU.