RCN officers wore gold stripes with the naval executive curl above to denote rank.
Starting around the 1950s, the RCN's ratings rank structure was changed to match closer to that of the army's.
Good conduct chevrons continued to be worn up to the rank of petty officer 1st class until Unification of the Canadian Armed Forces in 1968.
A series of gold stripes was instituted, similar to the pre-unification naval and air force rank system in concept but very different in appearance.
Warrant officers retained the traditional army-style rank badges, and NCOs' chevrons were also changed, being smaller and made from newer material.
The maple leaf also featured on NCO badges, even being worn over a private's one-bar chevron in initial issues of the new insignia in the years immediately after unification.
A wide band of gold braid was also used, similar to pre-unification naval insignia worn by admirals.
For non-commissioned members, the unique naval anchor insignias were deleted and replaced with the same system as the Army and Air Force.
While the insignia for non-commissioned personnel of the CF very closely matched that of the pre-unification army, there were some changes and new classes of ranks were created.
Eventually the crown was changed to a maple leaf surmounting the chevrons, and the appointment of master corporal was created after much hostility and confusion within the ranks regarding who would be providing leadership at the lowest levels of Mobile Command (the new name for what used to be the Army).
Officers had their "pips and crowns" insignia deleted entirely and replaced with naval style bars or sleeve rings.
On 8 July 2013 the Minister of National Defence, Peter MacKay, announced that Canadian Army officers would once again wear "pips and crowns", signalling a return to the pre-unification rank insignia.
Peter MacKay, Minister of National Defence, announced on 8 July 2013 the Government of Canada's intent to restore Canadian Army rank insignia, names and badges to their traditional forms.
To honour the centennial of the Battle of Vimy Ridge on 1 April 2017, the Vimy Star, composed of a red maple leaf within a gold diamond and surrounded by the army's Latin motto vigilamus pro te ("we stand on guard for thee", from the English lyrics of "O Canada"), replaced the Bath Star in officer shoulder boards.