Uniform Service Dress Khaki cir 1969

Originally introduced during World War II, the Service Dress Khaki (SDK) uniform was worn throughout the Vietnam era, with the heavy cotton twill of the original uniform being replaced by light wool or a wool-blend in the 1960s.

From the 1955 Auxiliary Manual the uniform is described as follows;

Uniform, Dress Khaki. The summer uniform for the Auxiliary shall be the same basic design as the dress khaki uniform worn by officers of the Coast Guard, with gilt Auxiliary buttons and appropriate Auxiliary insignia but without shoulder boards and tabs.

From the 1969 Auxiliary Uniform, Awards, and Flag Code Manual CG-404 we see the following description:

Service Dress, Khaki

COAT -- Shall be of khaki tropical worsted wool gabardine, rayon gabardine, or similar lightweight tropical fabrics presenting the same appearance. It shall be single breasted with notched lapels and rolled collar; to have four outside patch pockets with flaps, fastened with twenty-four (24) line Auxiliary silver buttons. Three thirty-six (36) line silver Auxiliary buttons down right forepart; all buttons to button. Belt of same material; 2 “wide sewed down all around. Bellows pleat in side seams of back optional. Two loops on each shoulder for shoulder marks.

TROUSERS -- Shall be conventional, plain design of the same material as the coat without cuffs.

SHIRT -- Shall be of plain khaki cotton or lightweight tropical fabrics of conventional design with collar attached. Two outside patch pockets with flaps, fastened with small plain khaki color buttons. No shoulder straps. Collar insignia shall be worn with this shirt.

NECKTIE -- Shall be a plain black four-in-hand tie of conventional design. Socks. Shall be black; made of plain knitted or rib knit material; undecorated.

SHOES -- Shall be black; made of leather, laced type; of plain style without decoration, and with no stitching or seam across the toe. Cap Cover. Detachable, khaki, either plain cotton or new type, authorized plastic cover

Summary

Basically, the Service Dress Khaki uniform was utilized for the Auxiliary from approximately 1944 to 1980. In 1975, the “Bender Blues” Service Dress Blue uniform replaced it however the Auxiliary was permitted a changeover period that ended on 1 January 1981. Over nearly 30 plus years, the uniform had several changes take place. Most notably was the change of the Auxiliary Office insignia sewn on the right sleeve to the use of shoulder boards and silver buttons occurring in 1968. The uniform photographed reflects the changes of 1968.

Uniform courtesy of the 5NR Historical Collection