Though it supports many Coast Guard missions and is closely related to the Coast Guard (it was originally formed in 1939 as the United States Coast Guard Reserve), the Coast Guard Auxiliary is a civilian auxiliary and, as such, has its own distinct seals, insignias, and awards.
The design of the Auxiliary’s cap device draws heavily from its Coast Guard counterpart, with a spread eagle facing right and its outstretched wings extending above its head and the Coast Guard shield on its chest. But the Auxiliary version emphasizes the peaceful, non-military aspects of its service by encircling the eagle and shield in a laurel wreath.
Cap devices come in a large size for the Combination Cap and Cold Weather Cap and in a smaller version for wear on the Garrison Cap. On the Combination Cap, the device is attached to the mount that is part of the cap band (note the different shape of the device mount. For Garrison Caps, which are typically worn with the Tropical Blue, Winter Dress Blue, Undress Blue, and Flight suits, the device is the cap device is worn vertically upright on the wearer’s left, with the device’s center two inches from the front crease and 1-1/2 inches from the bottom of the cap.