Flotilla 10-13 Uniform Information

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 of the Auxiliary were never in the military and so uniform etiquette may a bit new to us, but it is very important.  The general public does not distinguish us from the regular Coast Guard and we own them the courtesy to wear the uniform correctly at all times.  Full detail on uniform etiquette can be found in the Auxiliary Manual - M16790.1G (this is a 20MB+ file be prepared for a long wait if you have a slow broad band connection) Chapter 11 (Chapter 10 in the old addition of the Auxiliary Manual) with additional information in The Coast Guard manual Uniform Regulations - COMDTINST M1020.6K. (also a very large file)

Here is additional uniform info on our D1SR site, including videos on how to roll your ODU blouse and how to blouse your boots. Lets get this right.

The H-Directory page for uniforms is at this links

Protocol and how to salute in the Coast Guard. Auxiliary members are volunteers and as such are not required to solute other auxiliary members.  However it is a simple courtesy to salute senior members in the Coast Guard and/or any other branches of the military.  It is also a simple courtesy to return the salute of any lower ranking Coast Guard and/or Military personal who might solute you when you are in uniform.  This is especially true for any member with a title of Flotilla Staff officer or higher.  Many members of the military and even some newer Coast Guard guardians do not notice that we have silver stripes not Gold.  They see those stripe(s) (or collar devices) and automatically salute.  So whenever possible, especially if you are an FSO or higher in uniform keep your right hand free to return any salute. This will often happen if you are at the CG academy in CT or at any CG sector or station.

Recognize the rank of our partners on the active duty side. 

Protocol on Saluting (when in uniform) for boarding a Coast Guard or Navy ship. Today’s custom in the U.S. Navy and U.S. Coast Guard is that upon boarding the vessel, the boarder first salutes the National Ensign (the flag if it is flying).  This is typically at the stern of the vessel even if you cannot see it from the boarding ramp.

You then salute the Officer of the Day or Junior Officer of the Day (whichever happens to be standing watch on the brow at the moment). The OOD/JOOD “returns” both salutes.  If there is no personnel standing at the top of the ramp just salute the stern of the vessel. You also say “I request permission to come aboard, sir/ma’am.”

Protocol on Saluting when leaving a Coast Guard or Navy ship. Reverse the process. Salute OOD/JOOD first and say “I request permission to leave the ship, sir/ma’am. Once they give permission salute the National Ensign (the flag if it is flying). 

Want to freshen up that ribbon rack? Check out the UltraThin web site at http://www.ultrathin.com/.  (There are other companies that do this so this is not a formal endorsement of Untrathin) You can build your rack of ribbons (Auxiliary and military) and they will ship you the ribbons permanently racked up in the correct order of precedence with all the stars and ribbon devices you have earned.  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 but a much neater appearance.  As of 2024, ribbons are $2.15 each (vs. $1.10) and devices are 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 yourself.  You can send the rack back to UltraThin and they will add additional devices for you so you do not need to buy a whole new rack.  However if you need to add a ribbon, you will need to purchase again all the ribbons below the new ribbon in the order of precedence.  They will re-use all your devices so you do not need to purchase them again.

 This is from an older version of the manual.  Always check the most current Auxiliary manual for any changes to uniform items and protocol.

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:

See page 51 in the UDC order catalog at this link

ALCOAST from CHDIRAUX RE: AUXILIARY UNIFORM MATTERS -007/08 Prior Military Service Insignia and ODUs and sew-on devices:Male Auxiliarist in ODU Uniform.

1. 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.

2. 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:

a. 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.

b. 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).