CANADA- At the end of World War I, Canada had four Holland designed submarines on their active list. During World War II, Canada focused on antisubmarine warfare while leaving submarine operations to England. From 1961 to 1969, Canada operates one Balao Class submarine and from 1968 to 1974 one Trench Class submarine. At this time Canada has three Obijiwa Class submarines. Canada originally used the British convention of identifing a submarine sailor by using the cap tally with the ship's name or HM SUBMARINES for enlisted personnel and nothing for officers. In 1961, the Royal Canadian Navy authorized the first set of dolphins for officers. This badge showed a single bottle-nosed dolphin. It was worn above the left pocket for officers. Other personnel worn the wool insignia patch on the right sleeve between the wrist and elbow. When the Royal Canadian Navy consolidated into the Canadian Armed Forces in 1970, a new metal version of the Canadian Submarine Badge was issued. It has two dolphins supporting a wreath around a maple leaf. The wreath is topped by the Queen's crown. This design was used to incorporate the national symbol of the maple leaf. This badge was authorized for all ranks to wear in 1989 upon the shift of uniforms in the Canadian military. The garrison version of the Canadian Submarine Badge (right column, second one down). The two green patches are very unique because they are awarded to civilians in the Royal Canadian Sea Cadets. This is a youth group program which is similar to JROTC here in the United States. The patch with the submarine under the maple is awarded for completing a submarine course and is worn on the upper right sleeve. The other cadet patch is for on the job training while serving on a submarine and is worn over the right breast pocket. Apparently these patches are obsolete since submarine studies are no longer part os the Sea Cadet cirriculum. The pin below is a commemorative badge for the Canadian Submariners Association which is equivalent to the US Submarine Veterans.

CHILE- Chile received its first submarines from England in 1917 as a partial payment for ships not delivered during World War I. They totalled six, and the last one was received in 1953. Vickers built three submarines for the Captain O'Brien Class to build up the Armada from 1928 to 1929. The last one of these was decommissioned in 1958. The United States sold two Balao Class subs to Chile from 1961 to 1962. Many of these submarines enjoyed long life because the Chilean Navy took their maintenance program seriously. Chile received two Oberon Class subs in 1976 and two German 209 Class subs in 1984. These four submarines make up the current active submarine force. The first Chilean Submarine badge was called the "H" badge (bottom badges) and was recognized in 1927 eventhough it had been around for about seven years. Bronze or gold was for officers and aluminum was for enlisted personnel. This badge was upgraded in 1929 to the "O" Badge. The "O" Badge (top badges) was issued in 1929 and was worn until 1971. Gold badges are worn by all ranks qualified in subs. Silver is for personnel in the Auxillary services like Engineering, Medical, and Supply. It is worn on the left breast. In 1971, the submarine badge was upgraded due to the original die was wearing out. The new badge (center badges) had the jumping wires removed. Gold badges are worn by all ranks qualified in subs. Silver is for personnel in the Auxillary services. It is worn on the left breast. The current badge is the same as the above badge but the jumping wires were reinstated.

CHINA- From 1954 to 1955, China received six obslete Series XV type submarines from the Soviet Union. After receiving parts for five Soviet Whiskey Class subs, China assembled them. China continuesd their shipbuilding and created sixteen Whiskey Class subs. China then dealt into the Romeo Class sub in 1956 and have created 87 for their navy and eight for export to North Korea and Egypt. The first China class is the Ming which was built in the 1970s. Even with a large amount of submarines, mantyof them are non-operational except for the Soviet subs. China has also shifted its interest to coastal defense vice strategic operations. Currently, China operates 49 submarines, one Hia Class, one Gold Class, five Han Class, one Kilo, ten Ming Class, thirty Romeo Class, and one modified Romeo Class. Apparently submarine crew do not wear a badge but they do have a gold tie pin of a Han Class cubmarine. The badge to the right is supposedly the Chinese Submarine Commanding Officer Badge. Apparently the Chinese military hardly condones the wearing of elite badges. I have talked to the Chinese Naval Attache in Washington D.C. He told me that there was no badge at this time, but they were working on one.

COLOMBIA- Colombia is a new player in the submarine community. In 1971, Colombia received their first boats, two Italian Cosmos midgets. These subs would carry up to 8 swimmers. In 1972, two German 209 Class (Type 1200) subs were commissioned. These four boats constitute the Colombian Submarine Fleet of today. The early version of the Colombian Submarine Badge had the National Arms which was in chief a yellow and red pomegranate betwen two cornucopiae on a blue field, at center, a red Phrygian cap on a white field, and at the base, two ships and a representation of Isthmus of Panama in light and dark blue. The shield was supported by a silver condor in its talons below which is the banner "Libertad Y Orden" (Liberty and Order), and is flanked by two draped Colombian flags in yellow, blue, and red. The gold badge is worn by all ranks. The National Arms is below the conning tower in enamel supported by two sharks. The current Submarine Badge is a German 209 Class submarine in gold or silver metal with the Colombian Naval Arms under the conning tower and supported by two bottle-nosed dolphins vice sharks on the old badge. The gold badge is worn by officers and the silver badge is worn by enlisted personnel.

CUBA- Cuba's fleet consists of three ex Soviet Foxtrot Class submarines which was established in 1973. All three are not operational due to lack of maintenance and the availability of parts. The badges to the right are similiar to the Soviet Submarine Badge except the red star was removed and it was replaced with the Cuban National Ensign. This is the only information that I have been able to come up with.

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