Coast Guard Auxiliarists who have never held an elected or appointed office wear the Member device on their shirt collars. It's really just the Auxiliary emblem, consisting of a blue disc containing a gold Coast Guard and circumscribed with the service’s name, mounted atop two crossed anchors.
Membership in the Coast Guard Auxiliary doesn’t require any prior service in the Navy or Coast guard (although this would of course be a plus), and there are not set physical standards for joining. The process is three-fold: Complete the Enrollment Application Form (which includes some level of background check); complete the New Member Training Program and score at least 80 percent on an open-book examination; have the entire application package sent by the Flotilla Commander to the District Director of the Auxiliary. who is an active-duty member of the Coast Guard; and lastly receive approval from the District Director.
There are a few restrictions to membership. Applicants must have a valid Social Security Number, and they can have no pending criminal court actions or judicial proceedings against them (including pre-trial intervention or diversionary program). Convictions for felonies, major misdemeanors, and even some minor misdemeanors are not acceptable, nor are convictions for domestic violence or status as a registered sex offender.
You can find out more about the Auxiliary has to offer and how you can assist it in its various programs by visiting join.cgaux.org.