Special Warfare insignia The Special Warfare insignia , also known as the “ SEAL Trident ” or its more popular nickname , " The Budweiser " is earned after completion of BUD / S and SQT , is one of the most recognizable military badges of the United States Navy . History . Established on 16 October 1970 , the insignia recognizes those service members who have completed the Navy ’ s Basic Underwater Demolition / SEAL ( BUD / S ) training , completed SEAL Qualification Training and have been designated as U . S . Navy SEALs . The Special Warfare insignia was initially issued in two grades , being a gold badge for officers and silver for enlisted . In the 1970s , the Silver SEAL badge was abolished and the Special Warfare Badge was issued thereafter in a single grade . The SEAL badge is therefore unique in the Navy in that it is one of the few badges issued in a single grade for both officers and enlisted personnel . This is partly due to the combined training that both officers and enlisted receive , side by side , when involved in BUD / S training . The Special Warfare insignia consists of a golden eagle clutching a U . S . Navy anchor , trident , and flintlock style pistol . The decoration is considered a " successor badge " to the obsolete Underwater Demolition Badge . The Trident is one of the few warfare specialty pins that is the same for officers and enlisted . It symbolizes that Navy SEALs are brothers in arms - that they train together and fight together . There are four parts to the Trident . Each one symbolizes an important facet of the warfare community . 1 ) The anchor symbolizes the Navy , the parent service , the premier force for power projection on the planet and the guarantor of world peace . However , it is an old anchor , which reminds the SEAL ' s that their roots lie in the valiant accomplishments of the Naval Combat Demolition Unit and Underwater Demolition Teams . 2 ) The trident , the scepter of Neptune , or Poseidon , king of the oceans , symbolizes a SEAL ' s connection to the sea . The ocean is the hardest element for any warrior to operate in - it is the one in which SEALs find themselves the most comfortable . 3 ) The pistol represents the SEAL ' s capabilities on land - whether direct action or special reconnaissance . If you look closely , it is cocked and ready to fire and should serve as a constant reminder that SEALs must be ready at all times . 4 ) The eagle , the nation ' s emblem of freedom , symbolizes the SEAL ' s ability to swiftly insert from the air . It reminds them that they fly higher in standards than any other force . Normally , the eagle is placed on military decorations with its head held high . On the SEAL insignia , the eagle ' s head is lowered to remind each of us that humility is the true measure of a warrior ' s strength . Designator and title . An enlisted sailor who qualifies for the Special Warfare insignia is authorized to place the designator ( SEAL ) after his rating . At the end of 2006 , all sailors having completed SEAL training and still serving in Naval Special Warfare had their ratings reclassified to Special Warfare Operator ( SO ) , with a new rating badge . Previously there were more than 20 ratings which SEAL operators could have .