The three-stars and blue “A” design that designates the wearer as the National Commodore (NACO) is the only one in the pantheon of Coast Guard Auxiliary leadership-position insignias that does not have an equivalent featuring a red “A.”
Though elected to the office through a vote held by members of the Auxiliary’s National Board, regulations concerning qualifications ensure anyone elected to the office has a thoroughgoing knowledge of all things Auxiliary and Coast Guard-related. In fact, to even be considered, a NACO candidate must either be serving in the second year of a regular term as a Vice National Commodore (VNACO) or Deputy National Commodore (DNACO) by the date on which he/she would be sworn in, or have a completed a full term in one of those offices within the past eight years.
A small version of the NACO insignia is worn on the right side of the Garrison Cap, oriented with a single ray from each star facing up and the center of the leading star spaced two inches from the front crease and an inch-and-a-half from the bottom of the cap. It also serves as a cap device on Auxiliary ball caps and U.S. Coast Guard unit caps, where it is centered below the “U.S. COAST GUARD” letting on top and above the next line.