A golden fouled anchor is the insignia for the Deck branch in the United States Navy’s Military Sealift Command. It is worn by the 1st Officer (Chief Mate), 2nd Officer, and 3rd Officer; the Master rank, equivalent to the Navy rank of Captain, wears a silver eagle surmounted by a placard with “MSC” inscribed upon it.
The forerunner of the Military Sealift Command was the Military Sea Transportation Service, which was established in 1949 as the organization responsible for overseeing and providing ocean transport to fulfill the needs of the Department of Defense; the MSTS replaced individual organizations such as the Army Transport Service, Naval Transportation Service, Fleet Support Services, and War Shipping Administration of the U.S. Maritime Service. The MSTS was redesignated the Military Sealift Command in 1970.
Today's MSC consists ships owned by the Navy, vessels under long-term charter, and vessels chartered for very short terms or for single voyages, with the Navy-owned ships easily identified by the blue and gold stripes on stacks.