The South African National Defence Force, like most around the world, has various insignia. The army badges authorised for wear are listed here. If members from other arms of service qualify for these badges, they are also permitted to wear them, The criteria are, in most cases, current but there is some historical information included.

This page provides an extensive list of various badges used by the South African Army to distinguish and identify different military units, branches, and ranks. It includes descriptions and images of badges such as shoulder titles, formation patches, trade badges, qualification badges, and others. Some of the badges listed have historical significance, such as those used during the apartheid era, while others are currently in use. It also includes information on the history and evolution of badges in the South African Army.

Background New badges have been created to be worn on the camouflage combat dress. These badges are made of black, embossed plastic and are set against a thatch green background. According to dress regulations, only Parachute Qualification Badges may be worn on the left breast, above the pocket. On the right breast, members are expected to wear their name tag, followed by a maximum of two other badges.

Insignia Good Conduct Stripes These are worn on the right (pocket), below the name badge on Dress No 1 – 4. There are three Levels - Awarded for good conduct. The criteria for the awarding of this badge are unknown at this stage. + Good ConductGarment with Pocket: Centred on the right pocketGarment without Pocket: below the name badge Insignia Level Embossed Service Dress NCG Army Band I II No Image III

Badge for Voluntary Reserve Force Service (BVRS) + BVRSAwarding Authority: SANDF Director Ceremonial and MusicDescriptionDress No 1 – 3 and 5C: Identification, BVRS, Chrome and Enamel (SANDF Emblem surrounded by a laurel wreath) Dress No 5A: Identification, BVRS, Chrome and Enamel, Miniature (SANDF Emblem surrounded by a laurel wreath)Dress No 4: Identification, BVRS, Black on Thatch beige (SANDF Emblem surrounded by a laurel wreath)Criteria: The identification is only awarded to members of the Part Time Forces who have completed 5 years exemplary voluntary service (ie over and above any compulsory service). Unit commanders must submit a reasoned recommendation (which covers the member’s actual active participation in the unit’s activities) via the Command/Formation HQ to Director Ceremonial and Music for approval.Note: Members who subsequently join the Permanent Force, or serve full time, are not permitted to wear the identification

61 Mechanised Battalion Operational Service Badge

The unit awarded a small badge called the Operational Badge for those in or attached to the unit who deployed with the unit on operational duties. The initial version of this had a yellow backing and was awarded only for cross border operations into Angola. A subsequent version with a green backing was mooted, which was intended to be for internal duties. This green backed badge was never approved and the Yellow backed badge continued to be awarded for all operations in which 61 Mech was involved, including internal ones. The badge consists of a dagger with three diagonal lightning bolts in red across it. A subdued version was produced for wear on nutria (brown's) uniforms. With the introduction of camouflage, a new version was produced on green thatching. + Operational Service BadgeAwarding Authority: Awarding of this badge has been suspendedDescriptionDress No 1 – 3 and 5CIdentification, 61 Mechanised, Chrome and Enamel (Rectangular bar (upright) in yellow with a black dagger embellished in silver and three red lightning flashes angled diagonally across the blade ( wide, long))Dress No 5AIdentification, 61 Mechanised, Chrome and Enamel, Miniature (Rectangular bar (upright) in yellow with a black dagger embellished in silver and three red lightning flashes angled diagonally across the blade (10 mm wide, 40 mm long)) Dress No 4 Identification, 61 Mechanised, Black on Thatch beige (Rectangular bar (upright) with a black dagger and three black lightning flashes angled diagonally across the blade) Nutria Black printed on brown tape This badge's knife points towards the heart of wearer Criteria Served in the unit for a specified period Participated in an operation or helped to ensure success in an operation in which the unit participated No criminal record

Air Supply

Qualification: Air Supply + Air SupplyAwarding Authority: The Officer Commanding DOD Air Supply UnitDescriptionDress No 1 – 3 and 5CQualification, Air-Supplier, Chrome and enamel (Half wing with parachute on blue background) Dress No 5AQualification, Air-Supplier, Chrome and enamel, Miniature (Half wing with parachute on blue background) Dress No 4 Qualification, Air-Supplier, Black on Thatch beige (Half wing) Criteria Successful completion of Course OSC Mod 52 Basic Air Supply

Qualification: Air Supply Instructor + Air SupplyAwarding Authority: The Officer Commanding DOD Air Supply UnitDescriptionDress No 1 – 3 and 5CQualification, Air-Supply Instructor, Chrome and enamel (Complete wing with parachute on red background) Dress No 5AQualification, Air-Supply Instructor, Chrome and enamel, Miniature (Complete wing with parachute on red background) Dress No 4 Qualification, Air-Supply Instructor, Black on Thatch beige (Complete wing) Criteria Successful completion of Course OSC Mod 52 Basic Air Supply

Gunner

Identification: General of the Gunners + General of the GunnersAwarding Authority: GOC SA Army Artillery FormationDescriptionDress No 1 – 3 and 5CIdentification General of the Gunners, Chrome (Crossed gun barrels with grenade) Dress No 5AIdentification General of the Gunners, Miniature, Chrome (Crossed gun barrels with grenade) Dress No 4 Identification General of the Gunners, Black on Thatch beige (Crossed gun barrels with grenade) Criteria An SAA or ADA officer nominated by GOC SA Army Arty Fmn and the outgoing General of the Gunners and approved by the Chief of the Army

Proficiency: Master Gunner

+ Master GunnerAwarding Authority: GOC SA Army Artillery FormationDescriptionDress No 1 – 3 and 5CProficiency SA Army Master Gunner, Artillery, Chrome (Crossed gun barrels) Dress No 5AProficiency SA Army Master Gunner, Artillery, Miniature, Chrome (Crossed gun barrels) Dress No 4 Proficiency SA Army Master Gunner, Artillery, Black on Thatch beige (Crossed gun barrels) Criteria A serving member of the SAA at the time of the award An RSA citizen of at least seven years standing Successfully completed a long gunnery course OR qualified as indicated in the succeeding sub-subparagraphs Course qualified battery commander or GSM Preferably obtained a first class qualification on all his SAA courses Occupied the post of battery commander, or unit 2IC, or artillery instructor (School of Artillery, or Combat Training Centre) or GSM for at least one year His conduct, discipline and bearing must be exemplary and to the satisfaction of the Corps Council He must have a solid reputation as a capable artilleryman amongst his seniors, contemporaries and juniors It will be to his advantage to have participated in a specific operation, or to have served in an operational area for a period of at least three months He must have produced at least one artillery publication which must: Be used in the SAA as reference or training material Be an original piece of work and the result of research and study Be approved by the Corps Council

Qualification: Artillery No 1

+ Artillery No 1Awarding Authority: GOC SA Army Artillery FormationDescriptionDress No 1 – 3 and 5CQualification, SA Army Artillery No 1, Chrome (Gun image) Dress No 5AQualification, SA Army Artillery No 1, Miniature, Chrome (Gun image) Dress No 4 Qualification, SA Army Artillery No 1, Black on Thatch beige (Gun image) Criteria Qualified on the Ordnance Commanders and Technical Services and Fire Control Course with a first class ranking Hold the rank of sergeant, staff sergeant or warrant officer. NoteThis identification may not be worn together with the Master Gunner Identification.

Dog Handler's Qualification Qualification: Dog Handler

+ Dog HandlerAwarding Authority: Awarding of this badge has been suspendedDescriptionDress No 1 – 3 and 5CQualification, Dog Handler, Chrome and Enamel (Dog’s head on a green background) Dress No 5AQualification, Dog Handler, Chrome and Enamel, Miniature (Dog’s head on a green background) Dress No 4 Qualification, Dog Handler, Black on Thatch beige (Dog’s head) Criteria Successful completion of the Basic Dog Handler’s Course

Qualification: Dog Instructor

+ Dog Handling InstructorAwarding Authority: Awarding of this badge has been suspendedDescriptionDress No 1 – 3 and 5CQualification, Dog Instructor, Chrome and Enamel (Dog’s head surrounded by a laurel wreath on a red background) Dress No 5AQualification, Dog Instructor, Chrome and Enamel, Miniature (Dog’s head surrounded by a laurel wreath on a red background) Dress No 4 Qualification, Dog Instructor, Black on Thatch beige (Dog’s head surrounded by a laurel wreath) Criteria Successfully completed the PF Dog Instructors Course

Equestrian Qualification Qualification: Basic Equestrian

+ Basic EquestrianAwarding Authority: Awarding of this badge has been suspendedDescriptionDress No 1 – 3 and 5CQualification, Basic Equestrian, Chrome and Enamel (Stirrup with a riding crop on green background) Dress No 5AQualification, Basic Equestrian, Chrome and Enamel, Miniature (Stirrup with a riding crop on green background) Dress No 4 Qualification, Basic Equestrian, Black on Thatch beige (Stirrup with a riding crop) Criteria Qualified on a Basic Equestrian Course

Qualification: Equestrian Instructor

+ Equestrian InstructorAwarding Authority: Awarding of this badge has been suspendedDescriptionDress No 1 – 3 and 5CQualification, Equestrian Instructor, Chrome and Enamel (Stirrup with a riding crop on a red background) Dress No 5AQualification, Equestrian Instructor, Chrome and Enamel, Miniature (Stirrup with a riding crop on a blue background) Dress No 4 Qualification, Equestrian Instructor, Black on Thatch beige (Stirrup with a riding crop with a black circle surrounding the stirrup) Criteria Qualified on an Equestrian Instructor's Course with the following results: Dressage elementary test No 5 - 50% Show jumping D Level course - 60% Field obstacles - 60% Teaching practices - 60%

Qualification: Equestrian Advanced

+ Equestrian AdvancedAwarding Authority: Awarding of this badge has been suspendedDescriptionDress No 1 – 3 and 5CQualification, Equestrian Advanced, Chrome and Enamel (Stirrup with a riding crop on a blue background)Dress No 5AQualification, Equestrian Advanced, Chrome and Enamel, Miniature (Stirrup with a riding crop on a red background)Dress No 4 Qualification, Equestrian Advanced, Black on Thatch beige (Stirrup with a riding crop with a two black circles surrounding the stirrup) Criteria This identification is only awarded to riders of international standard The member must have qualified on an advanced equestrian course or an equivalent foreign course

Parachute Qualification Badges

Awarding Authority The Awarding Authority is the GOC SA Army Infantry Formation, delegated to the Officer Commanding 44 Parachute Regiment. The qualification badge will be issued on completion of the course and will be controlled by means of a register kept at US 3

Qualification: Paratrooper Basic