Like its Army counterpart, the Navy’s Dress aiguillette is worn with both the Service uniform and various dress uniforms, and typically can only be worn when an individual is serving an official capacity as an aide at specific events: official ceremonies, occasions calling for special honor, when accompanying foreign representatives, and at social functions where formal invitations have been extended. They may also be worn as directed at any social functions, and are authorized for wear on the overcoat and all-weather coat.
But Navy regulations regarding the Dress aiguillette differ from the Army’s by creating a special type of aiguillette that’s worn only when by those as aide to the President. The standard Dress aiguillette worn by all other aides, Naval attachés, and assistant attachés features dark blue thread forming plaited bands; the “Presidential” version uses cold or gilt plaited thread. The plaited cords on both types end with inches of plain cord and terminate with gilt metal “pencils,” so named because of the legend that aiguillettes were originally cords with pencils on the end that could be used by officers to quickly write dispatches.
Navy aides to the President, as well as those serving the Vice President, at the White house, and officers who have assigned as aides to foreign heads of state, wear the Dress aiguillette on the right shoulder. All other aides or attachés wear their aiguillettes on the left shoulder.