Who is authorized to frock enlisted members in the Coast Guard?

The authority to frock enlisted members in the Coast Guard resides with the Commandant. Frocking is the practice of allowing an enlisted member to wear the insignia of a higher rank before officially being promoted, and it is a privilege granted at the highest levels of the command structure.

When the Commandant approves a frocking request, it serves several purposes, such as recognizing an individual's qualifications and providing them with leadership opportunities in a new position of responsibility while awaiting the formal promotion process. This authority is not typically delegated to lower ranks or unit commanders, underscoring the significance of the decision and the responsibility attached to it.

Other options, while relevant to the command hierarchy, do not possess the formal authority to authorize frocking across the service as a whole. Therefore, the Commandant's unique role at the top of the Coast Guard chain of command makes this the correct choice for who can authorize frocking.