Flotilla 10-20 - Uniform Sources

It is not difficult to obtain the uniform, and your choice does not have to be particularly expensive. But there can seem to be too many choices to the uninitiated, when, in fact, there isn't as much choice as you think! As shown on the Uniform page, several uniforms share components, meaning that the simple substitution of one or two components can give you two or more different uniforms.

Substitution of uniform components from non-authorized sources is generally not permitted, and generally saves you little money. There will be color mismatches, style differences, and other differences. Plus, you'll stand out like a sore thumb amongst other Auxiliarists and Coast Guard.

U.S. Coast Guard Sources

The Coast Guard's Uniform Distribution Center (UDC) is located in Woodbine, NJ, Exit 17 from the Garden State Parkway. Their Website contains everything you would want to know about the UDC. Pay particular attention to hours of operation and payment methods.

Woodbine Airport (1N4) is a short distance from the UDC, and could make for a good cross-country trip. A few members have used this method to get there. If you can, offer a ride to another Auxiliarist!

The best reason to go to the UDC is that you can try on the uniform items before buying. It's not an off-the-rack situation, but they have plenty of items to try on.

The UDC sells uniform items to the Auxiliary at the same cost as for active duty. A Service Dress blue Coat, is only $ 90.10, and dress trousers $ 31.50. There are precious few places where one can buy a suit for under $ 125 these days!. As an example, a complete Tropical Blue (long) uniform would cost $ 82.70 for men, and $ 92.50 for women for the basics from the UDC (shirt, trousers, socks, shoes, garrison cap), plus $ 47.90 each for Auxiliary-specific items (shoulder boards, cap device, belt & buckle) from the District Store (mid 2005 prices, subject to change).

Auxiliary-Specific uniform items, such as insignia, nametags, and the Auxiliary Combination Cap, are sold through the District Store. You can download a copy of the 2003 order form, or you can shop Online at the District Store.

Some Coast Guard stations have exchanges where you can shop for uniform items and general merchandise (see the AUXMAN for specifics). Beware, however, as the exchanges do not keep anywhere near the inventory that the UDC does. But, if you can wear sizes close to what young, active duty Coasties can, you can assemble a basic Tropical Blue uniform (less some auxiliary-specific items) by shopping at an exchange. Flotilla member Larry West has prepared a brief table of the exchanges he has visited since November, 2003. You generally will not find the more expensive, or limited use items at these exchanges. This includes the Service Dress Blue Coat.

USCG Exchanges "near" Flotilla 10-20 Uniform and Auxiliary items
Exchange	Size	Uniform Items	Auxiliary?
Activities New York, Fort Wadsworth, Staten Island, NY	Average	Yes. Has some larger size shirts.	None.

Station Sandy Hook Sandy Hook, NJ	Very small.	Minimal.	Yes.

U.S.C.G. Uniform Distribution Center, Woodbine, NJ	N/A	This is the place where all uniform items that go out to the field come in to first. If it is in the books, and in stock, here is where it's at. Not a "browsing" store, just a small counter in the front of the warehouse. Stop on by and they have try-on sizes so you can find out your official Coast Guard size (which may be different from your "real world" size). Shirts, jackets, shoes, socks, all of the major uniform items. Auxiliary selection is only sufficient to change a uniform from a “Gold-Sider” to a “Silver-Side” one — buttons, cap chinstrap, belt, etc. No insignia beyond the raw silver braid for the Service Dress Blue coat.	Minimal (see right).

TRACEN Cape May Cape May, NJ	Average.	Minimal. Proximity of the UDC (Woodbine, up the road about 20 miles, and a store on the TRACEN) keeps uniform inventory very low. There is a monthly "Lucky Bag" sale open to Auxiliarists. Here you will find lightly used uniform items at cheap prices. These are uniform items from recruits who were washed out of the training. 4th Thursday was the last information I received.	None.

U.S. Coast Guard Academy New London, CT	Large.	Three locations: Academy Bookstore, Uniform shop and Main Exchange. Bookstore: A few uniform items. Some University Bookstore type items. Uniform Shop: This is where the recruits purchase their uniform items, so if you fit into that size range, you're golden. Not sure on how well they stock other sizes. They also have a "lucky bag" for the sale of lightly used uniform items from cadets who leave the Academy. Only open weekdays during the academic year (i.e. closed summer) Main Exchange: Some uniform items here, including the ODU. Extensive active duty and Auxiliary insignia racks. You should be able to find it here. Open 7 days (early closings on weekends).	Yes, in the Main Exchange.

Air Station Cape Cod Otis ANGB, MA	Large.	Good selection, including ODU.	Good selection.

Group South Portland Portland, ME	Large.	Extensive. You should be able to find most of what you need, including the ODU.	Also extensive.

Other Military Sources

Auxiliarists are authorized to patronize AAFES (Army-Air Force Exchange System) and Navy Exchanges (NEX) to purchase uniform items. How often an Auxiliarist will need to do this is open to debate. But they can be useful sources. The Air Force shirts are the exact same thing the USCG now uses, and the Cardigan Sweater is an Air Force item. And the Service Dress White, Dinner Dress White, Dinner Dress White Jacket and Dinner Dress Blue Jacket are all Navy uniform items, which are stocked at many Navy Exchanges.

Locally (well, sort of...), we have several options for purchasing from non-CG exchanges. Here is a table listing the ones your Webmaster has checked out:

AAFES and Navy Exchanges "near" Flotilla 10-20
Base/Exchange	Description, Uniform Items
AAFES Fort Hamilton, Fort Hamilton, Brooklyn, NY	Fort Hamilton is located at the Brooklyn end of the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge. The AAFES exchange here caters to the greater NYC Army community. Pretty good selection of ribbons and medals to replace the old set you had since you were discharged so many years ago.

Tri-Service Uniform Shop Fort Dix, NJ	A large place, catering to the Army and Air Force stationed at and transiting Fort Dix and McGuire AFB (literally the other side of the road). This shop has probably everything for those branches of service, but for the CG, the Air Force Cardigan Sweater is about it. Extensive selection of ribbons, medals, ribbon holders, particularly the holders for those of you who have ribbons which are hiding behind the lapel of the jacket.

AAFES Exchange McGuire AFB, NJ	Located across the road from the Fort Dix store, this is a large exchange, but with little to no uniform items. Use the store above.

Navy Exchange Navy Lakehurst Lakehurst, NJ	Very small store. If we still wore khakis or summer whites, we'd be fine, but the downsizing of the active duty component here, and the proximity of the big exchange at Fort Dix make for a very small store. But it might be worth the visit to look at the huge airship hangars, and the small Hindenburg memorial. The Exchange is about 1/2 mile past the main gate, on the right. The Hindenburg memorial is slightly further on and off to the left.

Navy Exchange NAS/JRB Willow Grove Willow Grove, PA	Willow grove was hit by one of the rounds of base closures a while back, hence the name NAS/JRB with JRB referring to Joint Reserve Base. There is a small exchange here, but the good thing is it has a good uniform area. You can purchase: Service Dress White Coat $ 120.00 (this is the Officer's coat with the stand-up collar) Service Dress White Trousers $ 55.00 (for above) Dinner Dress Blue Jacket $ 160.00 (black short coat) Dinner Dress White Jacket $ 160.00 (white short coat - out of stock at the present) Dinner Dress trousers $ 62.00 (for both of the "jacket" uniforms) Accessories for the above (White belt, shoes, etc.)

Navy Exchange NAS Pensacola Pensacola , FL	Ok, it is 894.1 miles by air from CDW, but since we've got people going there monthly for training, it's a good one to recommend. Huge store in an old hangar (near the gas station), catering to the countless thousands of Navy enlisted and officers stationed there, and on our carriers, plus Coast Guard, Air Force, and anyone else in the area. Very large uniform section. Had the Dinner Dress White Jacket coats in stock.

District 1 Southern Region

Auxiliary Air Station Caldwell

Obtaining the Uniform

U.S. Coast Guard Sources

Other Military Sources

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