In the RN the three stripes below the Leading Hands or the Petty Officers Badge were good conduct stripes. One awarded for each time you got through four years of good behaviour (from the age of 16)up to a max of three. Sometimes referred to as the 4 years of undetected crime award.

These could be taken away if an AB, LH or a PO was on a charge. Loss of one good conduct strip for a serious but not absolutely bad charge up to three and being busted to the rate below for very serious charges.

Some ratings or petty officers were very proud to be a 'three badgeman'and not be raised further in their rate/rank. A sign of seniority on their particular messdeck.