What Uniform Do I Need?

This is probably one of the biggest questions we get from new members.  Reading the Auxiliary manual uniform chapter can be intimidating - there are so many!  For new members we recommend purchasing an Operational Dress Uniform (ODU).  Along with the shirt and pants you'll need an Auxiliary t-shirt, ball cap, and brown boat shoes or either white or black tennis shoes.  You'll also need to order insignia and a name tape and USCG Auxiliary tape (name tapes are the lettering on the ODU top).  This is the least expensive uniform to start with and can be worn to meetings, on operations, and to most events like vessel inspections and boat shows.

After some time in the Auxiliary you may want to purchase a more formal uniform, and this is when you should buy the Tropical Blue uniform.  This uniform consists of tropical blue trousers, a short-sleeved, light blue uniform shirt, and garrison cap.  This uniform can also be worn to meetings, is often worn in classroom settings for delivering public education courses, and is the standard uniform for Auxiliary conferences and other activities.  Because it is more expensive and less functional than ODUs we recommend that new members wait to make this purchase until you really need one.

There are many other uniform options but dress uniforms are optional and many Auxiliarists rarely have the opportunity to wear them.  If you want a dress uniform Service Dress Blue is the best choice as it uses the trousers from the Tropical Blue uniform and is the most frequently worn dress uniform in the Auxiliary.  Auxiliarists are privileged to wear the Coast Guard uniform and we want to represent the Coast Guard proudly but we are also aware that as a volunteer service we all have limited means to invest in uniforms that are rarely worn.  So, start with your ODUs and as you need more formal uniforms you can buy them over time.

Information about ordering uniforms is available at http://hdept.cgaux.org/uniform.htm.