New Changes to the
Coast Guard Auxiliary
Uniform Code
ALCOAST 291/11
COMDTNOTE 1020
SUBJ: HONORING OUR PROFESSION
UNIFORM GUIDANCE AND RESULTS OF UNIFORM BOARD
NO. 44 A. AUXILIARY MANUAL, COMDTINST M16790.1
(SERIES) B.
UNIFORM REGULATIONS, COMDTINST M1020.6 (SERIES)
C.
ALCOAST 291/11
COMDTNOTE 1020
THE COAST GUARD UNIFORM IS A SYMBOL OF
OUR UNIQUE HERITAGE AS AN ARMED SERVICE
AND MUST ALWAYS REFLECT THE PRIDE WE
SHARE AS COAST GUARDSMEN.
COMMON CONFIGURATION AND UNIFORMITY ARE
CORE TO MAINTAINING A PROFESSIONAL
MILITARY APPEARANCE BOTH INDIVIDUALLY AND
AS AN ORGANIZATION.
IT IS FIRST AND FOREMOST, THE MEMBERS
RESPONSIBILITY TO ALWAYS LOOK SHARP IAW
UNIFORM STANDARDS.
UNIFORM APPEARANCE IS
A LEADERSHIP PRIORITY.
LEADERS ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR
ENSURING PERSONNEL WEAR UNIFORMS
WITH CONSISTENCY, PROFESSIONALISM,
AND PRIDE.
UNDER THE COMMANDANTS GUIDING
PRINCIPLE OF HONORING OUR PROFESSION,
IN THE MONTHS AHEAD THE UNIFORM
BOARD WILL UNDERTAKE AN EFFORT TO
TIGHTEN UP UNIFORM STANDARDS AND
FIND WAYS TO PROMOTE CONSISTENCY IN
OUR UNIFORM REGULATIONS.
Changes to Auxiliary
uniform policies
Although considerable latitude was provided
to minimize the impacts of these changes on
Auxiliary uniform policies, several changes
to Auxiliary uniform policies are appropriate
in order to sustain a high degree of service
wide continuity.
The following provisions summarize the
main impacts on and resultant effective
changes to Auxiliary uniform policies
stemming from that ALCOAST.
Changes to Auxiliary
uniform policies
Due to the nature and breadth of uniform
policies, not all uniform policy impacts to
all sections of Chapter 10 of the Coast
Guard Auxiliary Manual, COMDTINST
M16790.1 (series) can be described in this
message.
Additional detailed changes will be
included in the forthcoming revision to
that manual
FOUR BASIC UNIFORMS
THE COAST GUARD HAS FOUR
BASIC UNIFORMS THAT MAKE UP
THE UNIFORM OF THE DAY:
TROPICAL BLUE UNIFORM (TBL)
OPERATIONAL DRESS UNIFORM (ODU)
SERVICE DRESS BLUE (SDB)
WINTER DRESS BLUE (WDB)
Tropical Blue uniform:
Tropical Blue uniform:
Tropical Blue (Long)
This uniform may be worn instead of the Service
Dress Blue (Bravo) uniform, except when a coat
and tie are more appropriate.
Trousers
Trousers shall be the same as those prescribed for
Service Dress Blue uniform.
Belt
A black web belt with a silver buckle and tip is worn.
The buckle may be plain or display the Auxiliary
emblem.
Shirt
The light blue Air Force style short sleeve shirt with a
stand-up collar with stays and epaulets is worn. With
this shirt, the collar is worn open, without a tie.
Tropical Blue uniform:
Socks
Socks shall be black, made of knitted or rib knit,
undecorated material.
Shoes
Shoes shall be black, with heels, made of smooth
leather or a synthetic material. Shoes shall be low cut
of plain style without decoration. There shall be no
stitching or seams across the toe. Heels shall be no
higher than 1 inch. Sole edges, heels and laces must
be black.
Insignia
Enhanced shoulder boards are worn on the epaulet
style shirt.
Breast Insignia/Devices
Name tag, ribbons, and qualification devices are worn.
Tropical Blue Uniform
Ball caps of any type are not authorized for wear with the Tropical
Blue uniform).
(1) May be worn year-round for appropriate assignments to duty. It may
be worn in lieu of the Service Dress Blue, But not to functions where
civilian dress is coat and tie.
(2) Authorized for wear in a travel status pursuant to Coast Guard
assignment to duty.
(3) Prescribed outer wear with the Tropical Blue uniform are the
windbreaker and trench coat with combination cap or garrison cap.
The overcoat, reefer coat, and work jacket will no longer be authorized for
Auxiliary wear with the Tropical Blue uniform as of December 31, 2012.
(4) The Foul Weather Parka may be worn with the Tropical Blue uniform if
adverse environmental conditions dictate the need for this heavier outer
wear.
Such wear shall be limited to necessary occasions or periods.
Auxiliarists shall otherwise conform to Coast Guard unit policies
regarding such wear whenever interacting with or representing the unit.
Operational Dress
Uniform (ODU):
Operational Dress
Uniform (ODU):
H.4.a. Trousers
ODU trousers bloused with boots, straight with
deck shoes are worn.
H.4.b Belt
Black web belt with subdued black open-faced
buckle is worn.
H.4.c. Shirt
Coast Guard blue ODU top with sleeves rolled
up accordion style, with only the cuff showing or
down.
Socks
Socks should be black, undecorated.
Operational Dress
Uniform (ODU):
H.4.e. Shoes
Shoe/boot, high top black lace up or
The optional boat shoe (dark brown leather)
low cut shoe of moccasin type construction with
functional rawhide lacing, brass eyelets, and
non-marking sole may be worn.
H.4.f. Insignia
Sew-on collar devices are worn.
H.4.g. Breast Insignia/Devices
Cloth nametape with “USCG AUXILIARY” is
sewn above left pocket. Direct embroidery on
shirts not authorized.
Operational Dress
Uniform (ODU):
H.4.h. Hat
A unit baseball cap with metal or sew-on
collar devices
Or
A knit watch cap (cold weather only) may
be worn with this uniform.
Operational Dress
Uniform (New ODU):
(1) May be worn year-round primarily as
a field utility and watchstanding uniform,
and may be worn in an office
environment.
Operational Dress
Uniform (New ODU):
(2) Auxiliarists shall carefully consider the
appropriateness of ODU wear in settings
that are highly representational in nature,
where the type of interaction with the public
dictates more formality, or settings in an
interagency environment.
In DoD, joint or inter-service environments,
wear of the ODU should align with the
equivalent uniform of the day.
Operational Dress
Uniform (New ODU):
The ODU should not be worn for visits to
civilian agencies or non-Coast Guard
organizations unless the prescribed
uniform of the day is the ODU or DoD
equivalent at the visit site.
Operational Dress
Uniform (New ODU):
In some cases the ODU may be appropriate
due to the operational nature of the visit or the
nature of the work to be performed.
It may be worn for commuting to and from duty
assignments, using either private or public
forms of transportation.
Auxiliarists shall otherwise conform to Coast
Guard unit policies regarding such wear
whenever interacting with or representing the
unit.
Operational Dress
Uniform (New ODU):
(3) Prescribed outer wear with the ODU is the
Foul Weather Parka with the standard Auxiliary
ball cap, a knit watch cap, or the Auxiliary sun
(Tilley) hat.
The windbreaker, work jacket, trench coat,
wooly-pully, cardigan sweater, and blue
working utility cap will no longer be authorized
for Auxiliary wear with the ODU as of
December 31, 2012.
Operational Dress
Uniform (New ODU):
(4) Shoes that are worn with the ODU shall
be well-blackened 8-inch or 10-inch safety
boots.
When worn in an office, boots shall be
shined.
Excess laces shall be tucked away so they
cannot be seen.
Operational Dress
Uniform (New ODU):
The boat shoe (dark blue or brown leather,
low cut of moccasin type construction with
functional rawhide lacing, brass eyelets,
and nonmarking sole) is an authorized
option for Auxiliarists, regardless of type
ODU that is worn (regular or Hot Weather
Uniform).
Operational Dress
Uniform (Relaxed ODU):
(5) Auxiliarists are authorized to remove the
ODU blouse when engaged in demanding,
prolonged operations in high temperatures.
In all such cases, the Coast Guard dark
blue crew neck T-shirt shall be worn
stenciled or embroidered with the words
“USCG AUXILIARY” across the front left
chest in white ¾-inch tall block-style letters.
Operational Dress
Uniform (Relaxed ODU):
The T shirt shall be in good condition with no
tears or stains. It may be 100 percent cotton
or may be made of a cotton-polyester blend
to facilitate moisture wicking.
This relaxed ODU wear is not intended for
routine wear in the office environment or
public.
Operational Dress Uniform
(Relaxed ODU):
The relaxed ODU is not authorized for
wear while commuting to and from duty
assignments, including in private vehicles.
Auxiliarists shall otherwise conform to
Coast Guard unit policies regarding such
wear whenever interacting with or
representing the unit.
Operational Dress
Uniform (ODU):
(6) All Auxiliarists shall pay particular attention
to appearance while wearing the ODU.
The ODU shall be serviceable, wellmaintained, clean, and not faded or
discolored.
(7) The tucked ODU shall remain authorized
for Auxiliary wear until no longer serviceable.
Hot Weather Uniform:
(New ODU)
(1) Though no longer authorized for active
duty personnel,
The Hot Weather Uniform remains
authorized for Auxiliary wear.
Hot Weather Uniform:
(New ODU)
(2) The prescribed shirt for the Hot Weather Uniform
is the Coast Guard dark blue crew neck T-shirt shall
be worn stenciled or embroidered with the words
“USCG AUXILIARY” across the front left chest in
white ¾-inch tall block-style letters.
It shall be in good condition with no tears or stains.
It may be 100 percent cotton or may be made of a
cotton-polyester blend to facilitate moisture wicking.
Hot Weather Uniform:
(New ODU)
The Auxiliary operations polo shirt may be
worn with this uniform as an alternative
(Note – the Auxiliary operations polo shirt may
be worn as an alternative to the Coast Guard
ODU top, and the Hot Weather Uniform shirt).
Additionally, the Vessel Examiner shirt may be
worn with this uniform as an alternative when
conducting vessel safety checks.
Hot Weather Uniform:
(New ODU)
The standard Coast Guard light blue (Air
Force) short sleeve shirt (undress blue)
and
the standard Coast Guard dark blue short
sleeve shirt (working blue) will no longer be
authorized for Auxiliary wear with the Hot
Weather Uniform as of December 31, 2012.
ALCOAST 291/11
Also conveyed the Coast Guard Uniform
Board’s concern about several other
items, as addressed:
Ball Caps:
(1) In support of the Uniform Board’s
determinations, only three sources of ball
caps for Auxiliarists are authorized:
Coast Guard Auxiliary Center (AUXCEN),
Coast Guard Uniform Distribution Center
(UDC)
Coast Guard Exchange System (CGES).
Ball Caps:
(2) The standard Auxiliary ball cap worn by
Auxiliarists shall conform to the provisions
of ALCOAST 291/11 that deal with
material, circumstances for wear, and
general appearance.
Ball Caps:
(3) Oak leaves and acorns (aka,
scrambled eggs) will no longer be
authorized for wear on any ball cap worn
by Auxiliarists as of December 31, 2012
Ball Caps:
(4) Insignia wear and markings on the
standard Auxiliary ball cap shall remain as
otherwise prescribed in the Auxiliary
Manual.
The Foul Weather
Parka FWP liner
Liners are not authorized as a standalone
jacket.
Both Men and Women
Men and Women Nails
Men and women shall keep their nails
clean.
Women may wear nail polish, but the color
shall be conservative and neutral in color.
Decorative nail art is not authorized while
in uniform
Eyewear Men and
Women
Frame and lens styles will be conservative
and in good taste.
Mirrored lenses are prohibited while in
uniform.
Hair Men and Women
The goal is for men’s hair to be neat and clean, not
touch the collar, and be away from the ears.
Women’s hair should not be below the collar or
extend below the eyebrows when the hat is
removed.
Miscellaneous Articles
Many articles should not be worn or carried
exposed on the uniform.
These articles include pencils, pens, watch
chains or fobs, pins, handkerchiefs, combs,
cigarettes, cigars, pipes and similar items.
Women Only
Women’s Uniform
Items:
(1) The tiara is not authorized as an
optional item for women’s dress uniforms.
(2) Pumps are an optional item for
women’s dress uniforms and shall be
worn in accordance with provisions of the
Auxiliary Manual.
Women’s Uniform Items:
Skirts and Handbags
Skirts
Except for formal uniforms, a female skirt hemline
will be no higher than the crease in the back of
the knee nor lower than 2 inches below the
crease.
Handbags
Women’s handbags may be carried in the hand or
worn over the shoulder with the strap. Women
may shorten the strap and carry the handbag
over the arm.
Women’s Uniform Items:
Rings and bracelets
Members in uniform may wear personal
display items such as
bracelets, necklaces, wristwatches, ID
bracelets and rings.
If visible while in uniform, these items must be
conservative, non-controversial, and in good
taste.
Women’s Uniform Items:
Rings and bracelets
There shall be no more than two rings on
each hand.
Eccentricities in color and manner of wear
(for example, rings on every finger) shall
not be worn when in uniform.
Women’s Uniform
Items: Earrings
Women may wear one pair of gold, silver,
or pearl earrings which should be small
(max. ¼ inch) and of the round ball style.
Women may wear diamond stud earrings
(max ¼ inch) with the Dinner Dress
uniforms.
Dangling and hoop earrings are prohibited
while in uniform.
Women’s Uniform
Items: jewelry
No articles, jewelry, or studs other than
those specified for women shall be through
or attached to the ear, nose, tongue, or any
other visible body part while in uniform.
Women’s cosmetics
Women’s cosmetics shall be of conservative
color and worn in good taste.
Eccentricities in color and manner of wear
shall not be worn while in uniform..
Men Only
Men Uniform items: Necklaces
Chains, earrings and suspenders
Necklaces and neck chains must not be
visible when wearing the uniform.
Suspenders may be worn under coats and
jackets, which prevent the suspenders from
being exposed.
In uniform, men are prohibited from
wearing earrings.
Facial Hair MEN
Beards, sideburns, or mustaches if worn,
shall be well groomed and neatly trimmed
at all times in order not to present a ragged
appearance. No portion of a mustache will
extend below the lipline of the upper lip.
Handlebar mustaches or other eccentric
styles are not appropriate while in uniform.
Facial Hair Men
Full and partial beards, van dykes, and
goatees are authorized. In uniform, patches
and spotty clumps of facial hair are not
considered beards and are not authorized.
The bulk of the beard (distance that the
mass of facial hair protrudes from the skin
on the face) shall not exceed 1 inch.
Service Dress Blue (SDB)
uniform:
Service Dress Blue
(SDB) uniform:
G.3. Service Dress Blue (Bravo)
The Service Dress Blue (Bravo) uniform is the official
Uniform of the Day appropriate for wear at all
meetings, in classrooms, and at all other similar
functions. (see Figure 10-20)
G.3.a. Service Dress Coast Guard Blue Blouse
The coat is the standard Coast Guard officer’s
blouse. The four gold Coast Guard buttons on the
patch pockets closures, are replaced with four small
silver Auxiliary buttons. The four gold Coast Guard
buttons down the forepart are replaced with four
large silver Auxiliary buttons. Air Force coats or
blouses will not be worn with the Coast Guard
Auxiliary uniform.
Service Dress
Blue (SDB) Bravo
uniform:
G.3.b. Trousers
The trousers shall be of conventional plain
design with no cuff and of the same material
and color as the coat. Air Force trousers will
not be worn with the Coast Guard Auxiliary
uniform.
G.3.c. Belt
A black web belt with a silver buckle and tip
is worn. The buckle may be plain or display
the Auxiliary emblem.
G.3.d. Shirt
The shirt is the Air Force style shirt with a soft
stand-up collar with stays, long or short
sleeves, one button convertible cuff, epaulets
and a patch pocket with button flap closure
on each breast.
Service Dress
Blue (SDB) Bravo
uniform:
G.3.f. Socks
A Coast Guard Blue four-in-hand tie of suitable
length is worn. Clip-on types are optional.
G.3.f. Socks
Socks shall be black, made of knitted or rib knit,
undecorated material.
G.3.g. Shoes
Shoes shall be black, with heels, made of smooth
leather or a synthetic material. Shoes shall be low
cut of plain style without decoration. There shall be
no stitching or seams across the toe. Heels shall be
no higher than 1 inch. Sole edges, heels, and laces
must be black.
Service Dress
Blue (SDB) Bravo
uniform:
G.3.h. Insignia
Appropriate silver sleeve lace mounted by the
appropriate Auxiliary shield is worn on the coat
sleeves and soft or enhanced shoulder boards
are worn on the shirt.
G.3.i. Breast Insignia/Devices
This uniform is worn with ribbons, breast
insignia, qualification devices, and name tag
Prescribed outer wear
(New)
Are the bridge coat or trench coat with
combination cap.
The overcoat, reefer coat, foul weather
parka (FWP), garrison cap, and Air Force
cold weather cap will no longer be
authorized for Auxiliary wear with the
SDB uniform as of December 31, 2012.
The windbreaker
(New)
May be worn in lieu of the SDB coat except
when the SDB coat is more appropriate for
an occasion.
Auxiliarists shall conform to Coast Guard
unit policies regarding such wear whenever
interacting with or representing the unit.
Dinner Dress Blue
G.6. Dinner Dress Blue
The Dinner Dress Blue uniform is worn for formal
evening occasions when the Auxiliarist does not
have Dinner Dress Blue or White jacket.
It is the same as the Service Dress Blue, except
miniature medals, miniature breast devices, and a
plain black bow tie are worn instead of ribbons,
name tag, and the four-in-hand necktie.
The AUXOP and past officer devices, for which
there are no miniatures, are also worn.
Winter Dress Blue
(WDB) uniform:
Winter Dress Blue
(WDB) uniform:
G.8. Winter Dress Blue
This winter uniform may be worn instead of
the Service Dress Blue (Bravo) uniform,
except when a coat and tie are more
appropriate. (see Figure 10-24)
G.8.a. Trousers
Trousers shall be the same as those prescribed
for the Service Dress Blue uniform.
G.8.b. Belt
A black web belt with a silver buckle and tip is
worn. The buckle may be plain or display an
approved Auxiliary emblem.
Winter Dress Blue
(WDB) uniform:
G.8.c. Shirt
A long sleeve, Coast Guard blue winter
shirt that matches the color and material
of the trousers is worn.
G.8.d. Tie
A Coast Guard blue four-in-hand tie of
suitable length is worn. Clip-on types are
optional.
G.8.e. Socks
Socks shall be black, made of knitted or
rib knit, undecorated material.
Winter Dress Blue
(WDB) uniform:
G.8.f. Shoes
Shoes shall be black, with heels, made
of smooth leather or a synthetic material.
Shoes shall be low cut of plain style
without decoration.
G.8.g. Insignia
Metal collar devices are worn.
G.8.h. Breast Insignia/Devices
Name tag, ribbons and qualification
devices are worn.
Winter Dress Blue
(WDB) uniform:
(1) May be worn between November 1 and
March 31 for general office wear, visits to
Coast Guard units, and appropriate
assignments to duty.
It is the basic cold climate, non-operational
uniform and may be worn in lieu of the
Service Dress Blue
But not to functions where civilian dress is
coat and tie.
Winter Dress Blue
(WDB) uniform:
(2) Authorized for wear in a travel status pursuant to
Coast Guard assignment to duty.
(3) Prescribed outer wear with the Winter Dress Blue
are
The windbreaker, bridge coat, or trench coat with
garrison cap or combination cap
Ball caps of any type are not authorized for wear
The overcoat, reefer coat, and Air Force cold weather cap
will no longer be authorized for Auxiliary wear with the SDB
uniform as of December 31, 2012.
Winter Dress Blue
(WDB) uniform:
(4) The Foul Weather Parka may be worn
with the WDB if adverse environmental
conditions dictate the need for this heavier
outer wear
Such wear shall be limited to necessary
occasions or periods.
Auxiliarists shall otherwise conform to Coast
Guard unit policies regarding such wear
whenever interacting with or representing the
unit.
Winter Dress Blue
(WDB) uniform:
(5) The developmental WDB shirt with
permanent silicone creases
Shall NOT be authorized for Auxiliary wear
until approved by the Coast Guard Uniform
Board as a standard seabag item.