The National Commodore (NACO) of the Coast Guard Auxiliary is elected to the office through a vote by the members of the Auxiliary’s National Board, which besides the NACO includes the Chief Director of the Auxiliary, the Vice National Commodore (VNACO), four Deputy National Commodores (DNACO), the immediate past National Commodore (IPNACO), every District Commodore in the Auxiliary, and a President of the National Association of Commodores (NAC is allowed this vote as long as the Association’s standing rules and board of officers are approved by the Auxiliary’s Chief Director). A NACO serves for a single term of two years, with elections being held at the Auxiliary National Convention.
When worn as a coat device on the epaulettes of the Trench Coat, Raincoat, and Windbreaker, the three stars of the NACO insignia are configured “point to center,” with a single ray from each star pointing to another star’s center between two of its rays. The insignia is configured in a point to point configuration when worn as a collar device, with the tips of the stars’ rays touching and a single ray pointing upward to the top of the collar.