U.S. Navy
Wear Either is worn centered over the right pocket while the wearer is holding an active command at sea billet as an incumbent, and is worn centered on the upper portion of the left pocket flap, under the warfare insignia and ribbons, after completion of the command tour. A post tour officer wears the insignia on the left breast 1/4 inch below the top of the pocket/flap. If a warfare or qualification insignia is already occupying that position, it is then worn 1/4 inch below that insignia, or on uniforms with pocket flaps, 1/4 inch below the flap. Women in full dress will wear post tour command insignia 1/4 inch above the left pocket, medals or primary breast insignia. Men in full dress will wear their post-tour insignia below the bottom row of medals, or below their second qualification or warfare badge if they have one. Only one post-tour command insignia was worn until September 2018, after which both can be worn, the sea version inboard of the ashore version.
Wear by flag officers Prior to late 2015, U.S. Navy officers previously awarded the Command at Sea pin were not allowed to wear it upon promotion to
rear admiral, lower half. In 2015, wear by U.S. Navy flag officers was authorized, but only in the post-tour position, below the ribbon bars on a dress or service uniform. In August 2021, the regulations were further modified to permit flag officers to wear command insignia in the incumbent position if currently holding an eligible command.
History The Command at Sea insignia was established in the U.S. Navy in 1960 and is for commissioned officers between the ranks of lieutenant (O-3) and captain (O-6) who are in or have been in command of a commissioned warship or submarine, an operational fleet air unit, or a
SEAL command at the O-5 or O-6 level. The
Command Ashore/Project Manager insignia, designates senior officers who are in command of, or have previously commanded, a
ship,
submarine, operational/deployable fleet air unit in
naval aviation, or a special warfare (
SEAL) unit. ==U.S. Coast Guard==