BACKGROUND: On entering Kriegsmarine service all personnel were assigned and trained for a specific career. These careers consisted of a wide variety of specialty trades and functions with some of the careers restricted to certain rank groups. On successful completion of the appropriate training, personnel were issued distinctive career insignia. Officer ranks wore their career insignia, in matching pairs, on the lower sleeve of the blue mess, reefer and frock coat above the rank tress stripes.

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: The insignia consists of a roughly, 70mm tall, 55mm wide, vertically oval, navy blue wool base with hand embroidered, vertical, winged artillery shell with "flames" emanating from the top edge in gilt wire threads. Original protective backing intact.