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Uniform Etiquette
We all took an oath when we
joined the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary and with
that oath we agreed to “wear the uniform neatly, proudly
and correctly”. Many members were never in the
military and so uniform etiquette is a bit new to us.
Full detail on uniform etiquette can be found in the
Auxiliary Manual - M16790.F1 (this is a 20MB+
file be prepared for a long wait if you have a dial-up connection)
Chapter 11 (Chapter 10 in the old addition of the Auxiliary
Manual) with additional information in The Coast Guard manual
Uniform Regulations - COMDTINST M1020.6.
Flotilla 10-20
has an excellent section on uniforms on their site.
Including pictures, notes on tailoring, and schedules for
what uniforms are appropriate for what times of the year.
They also list a number of places to purchase uniforms and
uniform accessories.
Click here
to have a look.
November 2008 -
ALAUX From: CHDIRAUX Subj: AUXILIARY UNIFORM ITEMS
-33/08.
This is a
clarification notice from CHDIRAUX regarding proper
procedures for wearing Auxiliary vs. Coast Unit Ball
caps [including proper lettering and insignias to be
worn], plastic name tags [with and with out first name], and the new "Untucked" ODU.
Use this link to view full details of this notice.
November 2008 -
Want to freshen up that ribbon rack? Check out
the UltraThin web site at
http://www.ultrathin.com/ . You can build your
rack of ribbons (Auxiliary and military) and the will
ship you the ribbons permanently racked up in the
correct order of precedence with all the stars and
ribbon devices you need. They can provide the
standard type rack with the pins, or for use on uniform
shirts a magnetic one that will not put holes in your
shirts. A little more pricey than getting ribbons
and rack from national. Ribbons are $1.70 each
(vs. $0.90) and devices are either 50 or 75 cents which
is a little less than the Auxiliary store. The
down side is if you get a new ribbon or another star or
device for a current ribbon, you can not just add it.
You need to order a whole new rack.
 October
2008 -
TO: ALAUX - [CHDIRAUX-L] FEMALE OVERBLOUSE
DRESS SHIRT -29/08.
The Female Overblouse Dress Shirt
is available for ordering through the Coast Guard
Uniform Distribution Center (UDC). It is authorized as
optional wear for Auxiliary females as an alternative to
the light blue dress shirt worn with the Tropical Blue
uniform only. Further information, particularly
concerning the placement of accoutrements on the shirt,
can be found in ALCOAST 531/08 at the Coast Guard
general message web site:
http://www.uscg.mil/announcements/alcoast/531.txt
October 2008 -
Fabric adhesive. Need a quick simple way to
attach 'sew on' devices to your ODU uniform. Try
Fabri-Tac from Beacon Adhesives at about $5 a bottle.
Permanent and washable. Do an online search on
Google or Yahoo for an online store. Also saw this
at michaels.com so it may be available in a craft store
such as Michael's.
March 2008 -
ALCOAST from CHDIRAUX RE: AUXILIARY UNIFORM MATTERS
-007/08 Prior Military Service Insignia and ODUs and sew-on
devices:
- ALCOAST message 056/08 of February 6, 2008 announced
results of the recent Coast Guard Uniform Board 42 (UB42).
Past National Commodore Henry G. Pratt, III served as
the Auxiliary representative to UB42.
- Since the ALCOAST was issued, several questions
have been asked about certain Auxiliary uniform matters.
Having worked with the Coast Guard's Uniform Systems
Manager (CG-1221A) and Auxiliary National leadership,
the following guidance addresses these matters for Auxiliarists:
- Prior Military Service Insignia. One of UB42's
determinations was that Coast Guard personnel are
not authorized to wear prior military service insignia
if not earned while in the Coast Guard (i.e. - a
prior service Army officer who now serves in the
Coast Guard cannot wear his/her combat infantry
badge on Coast Guard uniforms). This determination
does not apply to Auxiliarists, therefore provisions
in the Auxiliary Manual regarding Auxiliarists'
wear of prior military service insignia other than
Coast Guard still apply.
- ODUs.
(1) Active duty personnel are authorized to use
Velcro to fasten name tapes and "U.S. Coast Guard"
tapes over their right and left breast pockets,
respectively. This authorization is granted because
of the likelihood and frequency of their involvement
in direct law enforcement operations. It does not
apply to Auxiliarists.
(2) Active duty personnel are required to wear
sew-on rank insignia on their collars. Such a requirement
could pose a considerable personal funding impact
on some Auxiliarists who frequently encounter situations
in which it is more appropriate to wear the Auxiliary
membership insignia rather than elected/appointed
office insignia (i.e. - necessitating multiple ODU
tops that have Auxiliary office insignia and the
Auxiliary membership insignia sewn-on). This potential
impact must be balanced against the requirement
to maintain a clean, professional uniform appearance
at all times. Accordingly, Auxiliarists who frequently
encounter situations in which it is more appropriate
to wear the Auxiliary membership insignia rather
than elected/appointed office insignia are authorized
to use Velcro to fasten sew-on insignia to the collar
as an option to actually sewing them to the collar.
This authorization remains in effect through January
2009.
A final determination of permanency or revocation
of this authorization will be made in February 2009.
(3) Metal collar insignia are still authorized
for Auxiliarists until sew-on standards are developed
(this is not expected until the summer season, 2008).
When sew-on standards are developed and stocks produced,
then metal collar insignia will no longer be authorized
for wear on Auxiliary ODU tops.
(4) The sew-on Auxiliary coxswain insignia is
still the only qualification insignia authorized
to be sewn on the ODU top (metal qualification insignia
are not authorized for wear). Sew-on standards for
other Auxiliary qualification insignia are being
developed and will be authorized for wear when stocks
are produced. Sew-on insignia from prior military
service other than the Coast Guard are not authorized
to be worn on Auxiliary ODUs (or any other Auxiliary
uniform).
September 2007 -
ALCOAST from Cmdr
Young,
RE: OPERATIONAL DRESS UNIFORM (ODU) CARE AND WEAR POLICY.
Operational Dress Uniform (ODU) Care and Wear Policy
- ALCOAST 427/07
This ALCOAST clarifies the proper wear of the ODU. The
ODU is a general purpose everyday uniform intended for wear
in any situation that does not require a dress uniform.
In addition, since this uniform may be worm in many operational
situations, and in order to maintain safety and consistency
in appearance, metal devices or attachments will no longer
be authorized.
For complete details, visit
http://www.uscg.mil/hq/cg3/cg3pcx/publications/alcoast/alcoast-427-07.asp
April 2007 -
Subj: OPERATIONAL
DRESS UNIFORM (ODU) CARE AND WEAR POLICY -011/07.
The ODU is a general purpose everyday uniform that is intended
for wear in any situation that does not require a dress
uniform. In addition, since this uniform may be worn in
many operational situations, and in order to maintain safety
and consistency in appearance, metal devices or attachments
will no longer be authorized.
http://www.uscg.mil/hq/cg3/cg3pcx/publications/alcoast/alcoast-223-07.asp
December 2006 -
Uniform Distribution Center now has online ordering
of uniforms. See ALCOAST
from 27 November 2006.
October 2006 -
Uniform update. The
"Reservist", the magazine of the Coast Guard
Reserve has produced a
special issue (Vol 53 Special Issue 2006) on Uniforms.
While the Auxiliary is not authorized to wear all the uniforms
contained in this issue, the majority of uniforms are authorized,
along with most of the accoutrements. Always double-check
with the
Auxiliary Manual.
July 2006
- Revised
Uniform Procurement Guide now available.
If you
already know what you are looking for, there are a couple
places go. For uniforms, the
uniform distribution center is one place to
look to place an order. For uniform parts (hats, sleeve
lace, collar, shoulder devices & insignias, civilian logo
clothing, etc.) check out the
1st district on-line store (button in the column
to the left), or
AUXCEN, the site for the Auxiliary Association Store.
Or check
out the
uniform sources page, also on the Flotilla 10-20
web site.
Don't
know what uniform to where when for the next occasion?
Take a look at
this page. Also, ask if there is a designated
'uniform of the day' specified for the occasion.
Want
to know more about the new ODU (Operational Dress Uniform)
and how to wear it, take a look at
this slide show.
Need
to get your ribbons squared away for the Change of Watch,
or Awards Conference. Stop by the Chief Director's
ribbon checker page. Check off the awards you
have, hit the button at the end, and see a picture of the
proper sequence of your awards. The colors are not
as good as they could be, but there is a written list below
the picture of the order of precedence of the ribbons and
if you place your mouse over any ribbon you will see the
name of that ribbon pop up. Or just bring your ribbons
and ribbon mount to a flotilla meeting and turn them over
to Ken Hall our resident 'Ribbons Master' and he will help
you arrange them in the proper order of precedence.
For
just a quick view picture of the various uniforms take a
look at the
District 8 Uniform page. Point to the image of
the uniform you want to wear and click the left mouse button.
A verbal description of the uniform will pop up.
8/10/2006
- HOT WEATHER
UNIFORM AUTHORIZED - Cut off those ODU Pant legs!
Members are immediately authorized to wear the uniforms
as outlined below. Use of the Hot Weather uniform and also
optional polo shirt is authorized for Auxiliarists operating
under orders for SEC NY. [Source: CDR Elizabeth D. Young,
July 26, 2006.] Hot weather uniform:
A. ALCOAST 380/04 1. REF A PROVIDED REVISED POLICY GUIDANCE
ON WEARING THE OPERATIONAL DRESS UNIFORM (ODU). THIS MESSAGE
CLARIFIES POLICY FOR CGDONE REGARDING THE OPTIONAL HOT WEATHER
UNIFORM DESCRIBED IN PARA 6 OF REF A, WHICH INCLUDES ODU
SHORTS HEMMED AT THE KNEE OR 1 INCH ABOVE THE KNEE, THE
DARK BLUE CREW NECK T-SHIRT (WITH "U. S. COAST GUARD" WHITE
LETTERING ON LEFT CHEST), AND LOW-TOP BLACK SAFETY SHOES
OR BROWN BOAT SHOES WITH WHITE CREW LENGTH SOCKS.
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