What are the “E's” on the Side of Navy Ships?

Have you ever gazed upon a navy ship and noticed those distinctive letters painted on its side? The ‘E's’ on navy ships signify an exceptional performance in various warfare and logistical areas, known as the Battle E awards. These awards are significant and come with a rich history and meaning.

The History and Significance of “E's”

Every navy ship and station undergoes inspections called Operational Rediness Inspections (ORIs). These inspections involve personnel from the Inspector Generals (IGs) office. Commanding Officers have been known to be highly stressed and even dreading these inspections, fearing the consequences of a poor evaluation. When a facility or ship is evaluated, they are scored against pre-established criteria. Those who score high enough are permitted to paint a large capital 'E' in white somewhere on the superstructure to signify EXCELLENCE.

Types of “E’s” and Their Meanings

There are other inspections such as an Engineering inspection, which is marked with a large red 'E', and Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) inspections, marked with a large white 'A' on the ASROC launcher. Enlisted personnel are permitted to wear a small capital 'E' on the right sleeve under the command designator to signify their department's excellence.

For example, ships that can carry nuclear weapons capabilities go through two types of inspections: Nuclear Weapons Acceptance Inspection (NWAI) and Nuclear Technical Proficiency Inspection (NTPI). These inspections can be quite demanding, with commanding officers sometimes facing severe consequences for a failed examination. These detailed inspections are reminiscent of a real career killer.

Deeper Insight into the “Battle E’s”

There are several types of Battle E's, each representing excellence in a specific warfare or logistical area. Each color has a distinct meaning:

Black - Warfare Red - Engineering Blue - Logistics Green - Command and Control Yellow - Safety

For instance, if a department achieves excellence in the area of logistics, it would be marked with a blue 'E'. Subsequently, if the department passes five inspections, the 'E' becomes gold to signify a truly exceptional performance. On my ship, Engineering had a gold 'E' with four gold hash marks and a silver star above it. This signified quite exceptional performance by any department.

Conclusion

The battle 'E's' on navy ships are more than just markers; they are a testament to the resilience, dedication, and excellence of the naval personnel involved. Understanding the significance of these awards provides a window into the rigorous and often challenging world of naval operations. Whether it is warfare, engineering, logistics, command and control, or safety, the 'E's' represent the pinnacle of performance in their respective fields.

These awards not only motivate and inspire the crew but also reflect the broader goals and values of the navy in maintaining a high level of operational readiness and capability.