Uniform Cliff Notes

When you put on the uniform, you represent the United States Coast Guard.   You have a duty to look professional and project a positive image of the organization.

Uniform Buying Guide:

Buy now: ODU, Tropical Blue

Buy later: Service Dress Blue (converts to Dinner Dress with addition of Bowtie)

Buy when you become a VDCR or Higher:  Dinner Dress Blue Jacket / Mess Dress Blue

Purely Optional: Winter Dress Blue, Service Dress Whites, Mess Dress Whites, Flight suit (AUXAIR only)

Before spending your money on uniforms check with your Flotilla FC, VFC etc., to see what free uniforms and uniform attachments are available!

Buy your uniforms at any CG Exchange, or online at shopcgx.com

All uniform items are tax-deductible. 

Operational Dress Uniform (ODU)

The ODU is the basic working uniform. ODU's are worn during operational missions, such as on-the-water activities or vessel safety checks. For a complete description of the ODU, see Chapter 10, Section H.4 of the AUXMAN. ODU Wear Notes (Based on common mistakes): The Ballcap MUST be worn.  No exceptions. The t-shirt MUST be coast guard blue. All tapes (i.e. nametape) MUST extend completely across the width of the pockets. Boots MUST be bloused. Sleeves may be rolled up, but it MUST be done only during proper times of the year, and MUST be done using the "official" sleeve-rolling method. Boat shoes may be worn, but only when underway on an Auxiliary Facility.

Undress Uniforms

Undress Uniforms are worn at Flotilla and Division meetings,  public affairs events, classroom courses and Auxiliary Conferences.  The civilian equivalent is business casual.

Tropical Blue ("Trops"), above right

Trops are worn more than any other uniform, and should be the first uniform you ever buy. Trops are worn with enhanced shoulder boards and ribbons. For a complete description of the Trops, see Chapter 10, Section I.7 of the AUXMAN.

Trops Notes:

• No wrinkled clothing.
• The pants MUST be USCG-issue.  NO BLUE DICKIES.
• The following are NOT ALLOWED on Trops: Soft Shoulder Boards, Ballcaps, no shoulder boards, collar insignia
• Name tags are not optional.
• Ensure all ribbons and devices are in the correct location.  If you are not sure, ASK.
• DO NOT EVER MIX CIVILIAN CLOTHING WITH UNIFORM ITEMS.
  

Winter Dress Blue, above left

Winter Dress Blue is actually an undress uniform.  It is completely optional, and is worn during the USCG "Winter" season (Generally from October to March). It is worn with collar devices, the four-in-hand tie, and ribbons. Aside from the tie and collar devices, it is worn similar to Trops.

Service Dress Uniforms

Service Dress Uniforms may be worn at Flotilla and Division meetings, public affairs events, classroom courses and Auxiliary Conferences, and must be worn at more formal occasions or ceremonies where the civilian equivalent is coat-and-tie. Service dress uniforms may be converted to "Dinner Dress" variations with a few minor changes to the uniform.

Service Dress Blue,above right

Service Dress Blue is worn infrequently, however is the appropriate uniform for occasions that are more than "casual."  Rather than shoulder boards or collar devices, the SDB employs sleeve stripes ("lace.") The ribbons and devices are the same as on the Trops, and the tie is the same as worn on the Winter Dress Blue. For a complete description of the SDB, see Chapter 10, Section I.3 of the AUXMAN.

Dinner Dress Variation, 2nd from right - Remove nametag. Replace four-in-hand tie with black bowtie. Replace ribbons with miniature medals. Replace devices with miniature devices.

Mess Dress/Dinner Dress Jacket

Mess Dress Uniforms are worn at formal ceremonies such as Change-Of-Watch, where the civilian equivalent is black tie.  

Mess Dress Blue, above left

Mess Dress Blue, also known as "Dinner Dress Blue Jacket", is not blue... it's black. This uniform is worn with a waistcoat, bowtie, cummerbund and miniature devices. For a complete description of the Mess Dress, see Chapter 10, Section G.1 of the AUXMAN. 

Mess Dress White, above right

Mess Dress White, also known as "Dinner Dress White Jacket", is exactly like the Mess Dress Blue, except the waistcoat is white and the sleeve lace is replaced by hard shoulder boards. It may be worn between April and September. 

Covers

Outerwear