The insignia worn by Assistant District Staff Officers (ADSOs) in the Coast Guard Auxiliary shares the two attached silver bars used for the Flotilla Commander insignia, but its red “A” indicates that ADSO is an appointed position rather than an elected office. District Commodores have the authority to create ADSO positions in any of the Auxiliary’s program areas and subsequently delegate their authorities and responsibilities in that area to the ADSO.
For Aviation program areas (which do not exist below the District Level), the District Commodore will assign one ADSO for each air station that is actively issuing Auxiliary aviation orders within the district; this ADSO is typically designated as an Auxiliary Aviation Coordinator, or ADSO-AAC.
Other Aviation ADSO positions may be created in addition to the default assignment; while an Assistant to the District Flight Safety Officer (DSFO) may be designated, but it is not considered an ADSO position. This system of Assistants for Staff Officers does not extend to the Flotilla or Division level, but the Auxiliary encourages the appointment of informal assistants.