The Command at Sea insignia is a highly regarded military badge of the United States Navy. It designates senior officers below flag rank (captain and below) who have commanded either a ship or operational fleet air unit. It is worn over the right pocket while holding the command at sea billet (incumbent), and on the left pocket (under warfare insignia) after successful completion of the tour (post tour; COs who are detached for cause do not rate this privilege). A similar badge that is worn in the same manner is the Command Ashore insignia.
The six stars represent the first six ships of the United States Navy: USS United States, USS Constellation, USS Constitution, USS President, USS Congress, and USS Chesapeake.
The U.S. Coast Guard uses an equivalent insignia called the Command Afloat Badge. The Command Afloat insignia is a gold and silver metal device with a miniature officer cap device superimposed on a ribbon of gold with 13 stars to represent the 13 original colonies. The Command Afloat insignia is worn in the same manner as the Command Ashore insignia and is considered superior to the Officer-in-Charge Afloat insignia.