Although the product description refers to the two silver bars mounted with the letter “A” as an Assistant District Staff Officer (ADSO) cap rank device, there are no ranks in the all-volunteer, non-military Coast Guard Auxiliary. A more accurate (but wordier) title is organizational leadership position insignia, and it is authorized for wear on the Auxiliary’s Garrison Cap and ball cap and, under the appropriate circumstances, the Coast Guard unit ball cap.
The Auxiliary’s rules for placement of cap insignia follow those of the United States Coast Guard for Officer garrison caps, with the ADSO “rank” insignia placed on the wearer’s right so that its center is 1.5” from the bottom of the cap and 2” from the cap’s front crease. A small version of the Auxiliary cap device worn on the Combination Cap is placed on the wearer’s left side of the Garrison Cap using the same rules for positioning.
On Auxiliary and USCG unit ball caps, only the ADSO leadership-position insignia is worn. It is centered horizontally and vertically between the inscription “U.S. COAST GUARD” near the top of the hat and the first inscription below it (“AUXILIARY” or a Coast Guard unit name). Wear of Coast Guard unit ball caps by an Auxiliarist is authorized by a Coast Guard command only if the Auxiliarist is providing direct and recurring support (this is defined by the USCG command), and that authorization ends when the Auxiliarist is no longer providing that support.