District 1 Southern Region

Auxiliary Air Station Caldwell

Uniforms

One of the priveleges of being a member of the Coast Guard Auxiliary is the wearing of the Auxiliary uniform (AUXMAN 3.B.1.b(5)). For some activities, wearing of an appropriate uniform is a requirement to be able to participate. This guide is intended primarily for new Flotilla members who may not be familiar with the wearing of the Coast Guard uniform, and for those who have never worn a uniform.

Should you choose to wear the uniform, or are required to wear it in the performance of your duties, it is important to keep a few things in mind. Proper wearing of the uniform shows respect for the customs and traditions of the Coast Guard and the Coast Guard Auxiliary. How you wear the uniform reflects on you (at all times), the Auxiliary (when interacting with the Coast Guard), and the Coast Guard (when interacting with the public).

Uniform News

ODU now available to Auxiliarists

The Coast Guard-wide ODU roll-out is now complete in that ODU orders by Coast Guard Auxiliarists can be accepted and processed by the Coast Guard Uniform Distribution Center (UDC) in Woodbine, NJ. Due to initial supply constraints, orders should be limited to a maximum of two sets of ODUs per Auxiliarist. It is expected that Auxiliarists will be able to place unlimited orders by April 2005.

The UDC phone number for placing uniform orders is 1-800-874-6841. The UDC web site is http://www.uscg.mil/hq/g-w/g-wp/udc/index.htm Immediately upon accessing the UDC web site, Auxiliarists will see a special notice pertaining to their ODU orders. This notice has a link that will take them to the Standard Order form that should be used to generate an ODU order.

Auxiliarists are strongly encouraged to use the ODU sizing guide (available on the UDC web site under "ODU Uniform") because the ODU outfit is quite different from the working blue uniform. Additionally, working blue uniform items are still available through UDC at significantly reduced costs and they are authorized for Auxiliary wear until no longer serviceable.

Uniform Links

• U.S. Coast Guard Uniform Distribution Center, Woodbine, NJ
• Chief Director's website
• Uniform Regulations manual (large PDF file)

Which Uniform?

The uniforms we wear as Auxliarists are based on the Coast Guard officer's uniforms as described in the Uniform Regulations Manual (Commandant's Instruction M1020.6E), as modified by AUXMAN Chapter 10. The primary difference is the gold buttons, sleeve lace and cap chinstrap are replaced with Auxiliary components in silver. The gold Coast Guard shield is replaced by a silver outlined shield with a distinctive “A”. Metal collar devices use the same basic design as their “Gold Side” counterparts, but have a letter “A” superimposed. Finally, the nametag worn by Auxiliarists is white with blue lettering instead of blue with white.

Since it is a prescribed “uniform of the day” all year round, the Tropical Blue (Long) uniform (seen to the right) is usually the one that an Auxiliarist chooses to start with. It is appropriate for Flotilla meetings, VEs, Instructors, watchstanding, and many other duties. It is not appropriate, however for more formal situations where a coat and tie would be more appropriate, nor for working situations where an “undress” or working uniform is more appropriate.

The other year round uniform of the day is Service Dress Blue (Bravo). This is the most common uniform in the Auxiliary that has a coat. By changing the shirt, the tie, and accouterments, another uniform - Dinner Dress Blue (right) is created. The Service Dress Blue (left), and Dinner Dress Blue uniforms are worn to formal ceremonies and events.

The last uniform that uses the Service Dress Blue coat is the Service Dress Blue (Alpha). This uniform is worn after 1800 hours (that's 6:00 PM for the new members) to social and other formal events, unless another uniform is prescribed. The difference between this uniform and the Service Dress Blue (Bravo) is the shirt is changed from blue to white, and no insignia, devices or ribbons are worn on the shirt.

For women, these uniforms have an optional CG Blue skirt, and a tab tie.

If you do not plan, at least initially, to attend the more formal events, it is not necessary to obtain this uniform. If your Auxiliary career takes you up through the offices, you will probably want to assemble the components for at least one of these.

An interesting optional uniform is the Winter Dress Blue uniform (left). This is an authorized seasonal (meaning it cannot be worn year-round) variant on the Service Dress Blue (Bravo) uniform. The light blue long sleeve shirt is replaced with a dark blue long sleeve shirt (often called the ‘CPO’ shirt), and the Service Dress Blue coat is not worn.

The Operational Dress Uniform

The newest uniform in the Coast Guard is the Operational Dress Uniform or ODU. This is a Coast Guard specific version of the Battle Dress Uniform that is worn in our other armed services. Extensive testing was done at Coast Guard Units around the world (including the Middle East!) to ensure that the ODU worked for the Coast Guard. This single uniform will eventually replace no less than five different uniforms: Working Blue long- and short-sleeve; Summer Undress Blue Alpha and Bravo; and the winter Undress Blue.

The ODU is authorized for the Auxiliary to wear and purchase from all sources, though quantities may be limited. If you find yourself in need of the working blue uniform, you may wish to check with the organizer/supervisor of the activity you plan to participate in to see if the ODU is appropriate. The ODU will replace the working blue, and has for the Active Duty side, but Working Blue is still authorized for the Auxiliary.

Recently, a new option has been authorized for Auxiliarists to wear with the ODU for Boat Crew, Vessel Safety Checks, etc. This consists of a dark-blue all cotton polo shirt. The Auxiliarist's last name, and "USCG AUXILIARY" are sewn onto the shirt. These are avialable exclusively through the AUXCEN. Orders must be placed using this order form.

One important thing to remember is that there has been no change to the requirement that all members of a boat crew (or other small team, for that matter) wear the same uniform.

The UDC has a web page dedicated to the Operational Dress Uniform. You can go there for the most up-to-date information.

Let's Get to Work!

Note: The uniforms in this section are obsolete, and may no longer be used by the Active Duty side as of 30-September 2005. The ODU has taken the place of all of them. The Auxiliary is still authorized to wear them until further notice. UDC is currently (August, 2005) having a blow out sale of the working blue pants and shirts. The light blue shirts on the Undress uniforms is still the same as worn with Tropical Blue Long or Service Dress Blue Bravo.

There are two basic uniforms — Undress Blue & Working Blue — that are used for the day-to-day work in the Coast Guard and Auxiliary. Note that depending on the position you are working in, your job, and the office you are in, any uniform may be prescribed. Below are the thumbnail images of the uniforms.

The first two images are of the Winter Undress Blue uniform. This is also essentially what is worn with the Service Dress Blue coat, to create the Service Dress Blus (Bravo) uniform. The next two, with the garrison cap, show the Summer Undress Blue (Alpha) uniform. This uniform is basically the same as the Tropical Blue (Long) uniform, with the insignia changed.

On to the next two with the ball caps, we have the Summer Undress Blue (Bravo). With this uniform, the dress trousers (or skirt) are dropped in favor of the Working Blue trousers (no skirt), and the Dress Shoes dropped in favor of Boating shoes, in blue, brown or white. Lastly, we have the Working Blue in short- and long- sleeve varieties.

Uniform of the Day

Some of the uniforms listed above are Seasonal. That is, their wear is only authorized certain times of the year. The Winter Dress Blue, and Summer Undress Blue are two examples. This small chart should help you know when to wear or not to wear each uniform. A blue line indicates authorized wearng season. No line indicates the uniform should not be worn at that time.

Special and Formal Uniforms

The uniforms in this section are consderably less common than those shown above. The so-called “Dress Whites” (right) will likely only be needed by an Auxiliarist participating in official Coast Guard ceremonies. The Auxiliary uses two variations. “Service Dress White” and “Dinner Dress White”, and they correspond to the “Blue” uniform with the same name. White uniforms are worn in the summer only.

The “Dinner Dress Blue Jacket” and “Dinner Dress White Jacket” are seasonal variations on a uniform for formal “black tie” events, where the proper civilian dress would be a tuxedo. Formal Coast Guard events, and formal Auxiliary events, such as District Conference Banquets, may have this uniform prescribed. The “Blue Jacket” is worn in the winter, and the “White Jacket” the summer.

As far as whether a member should or should not purchase one or more of these uniforms, here is a personal guide from your webmaster. You can use it or modify it for yourself as you see fit.

Should you need to purchase one or more of these uniforms, they are not available from the UDC or Coast Guard Exchanges. You can get them from US Navy Exchange stores.

For the specific details of each uniform and it's components, consult the Chief Director's website, the AUXMAN Chapter 10 (PDF file), and the Uniform Regulations manual (large PDF file). These locations will have the latest information on uniforms.

Obtaining the Uniform

Obtaining the uniform can be a complex endeavor, but it doesn't have to be. In order to provide the member with plenty of options, a Uniform Sources page has been created. Check that out. If you find some location, some hidey-hole, or other out of the way place to reliably (key!) buy regulation Uniform items, let me know, and I'll post it there with your “review”. Please, no Wal-Marts or Sears stores. I'm sure it's good stuff, but it is anything but regulation.

Insignia, devices and ribbons are a complex subject, that is addressed on the Flotilla's Insignia page.

Tailoring

A.K.A. “How and Where do I get this stuff sewn on?”

Fortunately, most of the Auxiliary's uniforms do not require the services of a tailor or seamstress. You pin on many of the items, and the shoulder boards slip on, so there is really nothing there to worry about. However, when you come to the more formal uniforms, there is some work that will need to be done.

Buttons. When you buy the Service Dress coats (Blue or White), the Dinner Dress Jackets (also Blue or White), and if you can still find a Reefer Coat or Bridge Coat, you must remove the gold USCG or USN buttons and replace them with the appropriate (i.e. same) size silver USCG Auxiliary buttons. These buttons are avialable from either the UDC, or the District 1 SR store. On the white coats, and overcoats, this should be all you need. Make sure that they are sewn on properly, and they are oriented properly. Pocket buttons are often simply held with a toggle, and you can change them yourself. Lastly, if you purchase your combination cap from UDC, you will need to change the gold buttons that hold the chinstrap on to silver ones.

Sleeve Lace and Shields. All members wear a USCG Auxiliary shield on each sleeve of the Service Dress Blue and Dinner Dress Blue Jacket coats. There are two styles of shield, and each comes on two different backgrounds. There is an all-silver shield, which is used by members who have never held office, and elected officers, and a silver shield with a red “A” worn by appointed staff officers at all levels.

If you have never held an office in the Auxiliary, you place an all-silver shield on each sleeve of the Service Dress Blue and Dinner Dress Blue Jacket coats, centered on the outside of the sleeve, with the point two inches above the cuff. This is the only sleeve insignia worn.

If you hold an office in the Auxiliary, the sleeve lace goes between the cuff and the shield. The shield moves up the sleeve as you advance through the offices. The first stripe goes 2" above the cuff. Each successive stripe is 1/4" above the lower one. Finally, the shield point is 1/4 " above the top stripe. Take note of where the ends of the lace are sewn. There are two seams on the back of the Service Dress Blue Coat. The seam should be on the seam closest to the body of the coat (i.e. it should not be seen, if possible, when standing at attention).

Hard Shoulder Boards. Certain uniform jackets and overcoats will require that you have loops sewn on to them to accomodate the hard shoulder boards. The shoulder boards are attached to the loops, and are removed when the garment needs cleaning. Some garments do not come with these loops because the particular garment is authorized for enlisted as well as officers, and enlisted in general do not wear any form of shoulder boards. Not at al in the USCG, and only certain senior enlisted in the Navy. If I find any instructions at to how to do this, I shall post that information here.

As for where to go, that can be a tough question. Unless you know of or have a tailor that frequently does this kind of thing, they will either grossly overcharge you, or not get it quite right. Maybe both. If you live near a CG or Navy base, so much the better. Ask around at the Exchange, and I'm sure they can tell you where to go. I hear tell that there is a tailor at Sector NY on Fort Wadsworth. When I get more information, I shall let you know. And if any of you have a tailor that you recommend for this type of work, let me know, and I'll post it.

Wear the uniform properly, and with pride.

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Site designed by: Larry West, FSO-CS

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