What Uniform Should I Wear?

A couple of uniforms will take care of more or less all of your needs. Most of the "different" uniforms share components. For more in-depth information, see the uniforms chapter of the Auxiliary Manual, but here's a quick survival guide:

Members use the Tropical Blue Long at meetings and for Public Education.

The Tropical Blue Long uniform consists of the Coast Guard ("CG") blue wool pants, the short sleeved light blue (Air Force style) shirt with epaulets. Shoulder boards, the plastic pin-on name tag, and ribbons are worn on the shirt. Collar devices are not. When out of doors and not sitting, wear the garrison cap or combination cover (big round white hat). Only wear V-neck undershirts with this uniform - your undershirt should not be showing.

Note - this is called "tropical blue long." The long is for long pants. The Coast Guard (not auxiliary) has a tropical blue uniform with short pants, called "tropical blue short."

Women may wear the CG blue skirt in place of the pants. See the USCGAUX manual for specifics.

On patrol, use the Working Blue uniform or Summer Undress Blue Bravo uniform. The choice of uniform is up to the Coxswain. Also ask the Coxswain about shoes. Boat shoes or black military style boots are usually worn with this uniform. Some Coxswains prefer boat shoes to protect their boat's deck from excessive wear.

The Summer Undress Blue Bravo uniform consists of the Coast Guard ("CG") blue cotton/poly work pants, and the short sleeved light blue (Air Force style) shirt with epaulets. Wear collar devices and the pin-on name tag. Do not wear shoulder boards or ribbons. Wear the blue CG Auxiliary baseball cap with a collar device. Only wear V-neck undershirts with this uniform.

The Working Blue uniform consists of the Coast Guard ("CG") blue cotton/poly work pants, and the short sleeved CG (dark) blue shirt without epaulets. Wear collar devices and the pin-on name tag. You can replace the name tag with sewn on name cloth tapes with your name and "USCG AUXILIARY." Do not wear shoulder boards or ribbons. Wear the blue CG Auxiliary baseball cap with a collar device. Only wear V-neck undershirts with this uniform.

For both of these uniforms, consider removing your name tag before donning a PFD/Life Jacket. The name tag can get caught on the inside of the PFD, and if you are hit while wearing it (or collar devices) the pins in the back penetrate skin very well.

If you are unsure about what uniform to wear, ask. Your interest in keeping up the image of the Auxiliary will be appreciated.