COMDTINST 3510.11 — National Strike Force (nsf) Qualification Insignia

COMDTINST 3510.11 governs policies and standards for earning the National Strike Force (NSF) Qualification Insignia.

Search COMDTINST 3510.11

  • Publication number: COMDTINST 3510.11
  • Title: NATIONAL STRIKE FORCE (NSF) QUALIFICATION INSIGNIA
  • Date: 5/23/2025
  • Proponent: CG-721

View COMDTINST 3510.11 on armypubs.army.mil


It identifies eligible Coast Guard members, civilian employees, and Coast Guard auxiliary personnel who may be awarded the insignia. It sets temporary and permanent entitlement criteria, issuing authority, and documentation requirements.

Applies to: All Coast Guard unit commanders, commanding officers, officers-in-charge, deputy/assistant commandants, and chiefs of headquarter directorates must comply with the provisions of this Instruction.

Topics covered

  • National Strike Force Qualification Insignia
  • Temporary entitlement
  • Permanent entitlement
  • Qualifying competencies
  • Qualifying experience
  • Issuing authority
  • Insignia documentation

Questions and answers

Who can be awarded the NSF Qualification Insignia?

Enlisted members (E-4 and above) and Officers of the Coast Guard and Coast Guard Reserve, Coast Guard civilian employees, and Coast Guard auxiliary who meet the criteria outlines in this Instruction may be awarded the NSF Qualification Insignia.

How long can the temporary NSF insignia be worn?

The temporary insignia may only be worn while actively serving in a billet of qualifying experience for which the issuing authority approved the insignia. Upon transfer to a new billet, the insignia must be removed from the uniform. If the new billet is also a billet of qualifying experience, approval to wear the temporary insignia must be granted by the issuing authority. Only one temporary insignia may be worn at a time.

How much qualifying experience is required for permanent entitlement?

Completed five (5) years of qualifying experience as outlined in Appendix B.

Who are the issuing authorities for the NSF Qualification Insignia?

The issuing authorities for the NSF Qualification Insignia are unit commanders, commanding officers, and Coast Guard Headquarters Office Chiefs of the unit types outlined in Appendix B.

What documentation is required for NSF insignia entitlement?

For Insignia entitlement, the National Strike Force (NSF) Qualification Insignia Certificate, maintained electronically by Commandant (CG-7214), must be signed and issued by the issuing authority.

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