Shore Patrol Arm Band

Crew members of U.S. Navy ships had liberty, or time off, when the ship visited foreign ports. Liberty was not necessarily an escape from Navy regulations. Loud, rude or belligerent sailors reflected poorly on the Navy as well as the United States. Personnel caught breaking rules faced punishment by the Navy or local law enforcement.

Navy leadership knew that raucous, drunk sailors sometimes caused commotion in port. The Navy established shore patrol to preserve peace and order. Personnel assigned to shore patrol duty monitored sailors’ behavior and tried to stop trouble before it started. An armband with the letters “SP” identified members of the shore patrol. Men assigned to shore patrol were armed with a nightstick, a useful tool for breaking up brawls.