English: Uniform insignia for Christian and Jewish chaplains serving with the U.S. Merchant Marine. According to http://www.usmm.org/usmsinsignia.html, officers in the Merchant Marine wear uniforms almost identical to those of the U.S. Navy, but have "distinctive wreaths" on cap and sleeve insignia, and on shoulder marks (the marks on shoulder boards). Today's Navy chaplains assigned to Merchant Marines (primarily at the Merchant Marine Academy) seem to wear their Navy uniforms, however these insignia are still on file with the Merchant Marines.

Addional info, from email from editor of www.usmm.org May 27, 2011:

The insignia are circa 1943. The US maritime service was created in 1938 and was staffed with active or retired Coast Guard and Navy personnel. Early 1942 it was under Coast guard. In mid 1942 staffing was with "civilian" personnel under the aegis of the newly formed War Shipping Administration. Staff had to leave the Coast Guard to remain in their positions. The uniforms worn by staff and trainees were based on Coast Guard. They would have been considered "civilians" at the time.