The Coast Guard Auxiliary’s parallel staffing system can be slightly confusing at first, in part because the insignia used by the two tracks of staff—elected and appointed—may share some physical similarities but represent different levels of organizational authority.
The two silver bars with a letter “A,” for instance, represent both an elected Auxiliary officer at the Flotilla level (Flotilla Commander with blue “A”), while the same insignia with a red “A” stands for Officers who have been appointed at the District level and even National level: Assistant District Staff Officer (ADSO), District Commodore Aide (D-AD), and Branch Assistant (BA, National-level appointment). Two bars with a red “A” is also worn by Auxiliarists chosen to serve as an Academy Admissions Partner (also National-level appointment), assisting the U.S. Coast Guard Academy with cadet recruiting.
Regardless of the position, the collar device is always worn in the same fashion. It is placed on the collar with the “A” in an upright position and the outermost edge of the device one inch from and parallel to the collar’s inner edge. It is also centered vertically between the top and bottom edges of the shirt collar.