1972 – The Coast Guard Uniform is Changed

Admiral Chester R. Bender became Commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard in 1970. He felt that the Coast Guard should create a distinctly different uniform from that of the Navy and solidify the fact that the Coast Guard was a separate organization. Admiral Bender also felt that the traditional bluejacket enlisted uniform was demeaning for older enlisted personnel and that it detracted from the authority of petty officers engaged in law enforcement duties.  A board was established to consider the uniform change. The board proposed a uniform similar in style to the old Surfman’s uniform. The distinctive color was suggested by the Army’s Nattic Research Laboratory as it was different from any other military or government service. The board recommended an enlisted uniform similar to that proposed for officers.   

The Commandant circulated a questionnaire and photographs of the newly designed uniform throughout the service. The Coast Guard Blue uniform was approved by the Secretary of Transportation John A. Volpe in 1972. It was several years in getting to the field and would be lamented by some for a considerable time afterward. The uniform became known as “Bender Blues.”

Coast Guard Auxiliary Manual CG-305 Dated 1978

Basic Description:
Auxiliary uniforms are similar to those worn by Coast Guard officers but are distinguished by silver braid and buttons in lieu of gold braid and buttons, and distinctive emblems, insignia, and ribbons.

The Commandant authorized Auxiliarists to buy uniform and insignia items in all Coast Guard Exchanges and other Coast Guard outlets. Many Auxiliary uniform accessories are available through the Auxiliary National Store.

Illustrations were provided for each Auxiliary uniform and variations noted in the manual. For the Service Dress Blue, silver buttons, the use of hard shoulder boards and collar devices on the shirt along with name tag having a white background made it different than active-duty officers.

From Navigator Magazine Summer 1987 issue

Commandant Paul Yost at the suggestion of RADM T.T. Matteson, has authorized Auxiliarists to wear sleeve striping on the Service Dress Blue uniform in lieu of shoulder boards to designate the office held, or highest past office held, by the Auxiliarist wearing the uniform, effective October 1, 1987.

This change will result in all Auxiliary uniforms conforming to corresponding Coast Guard uniforms, from work uniforms to Dinner Dress Blue and Dinner Dress White.

Although wearing sleeve striping will be authorized beginning October 1, shoulder boards may continue to be worn until October 1, 1989, at which time sleeve striping only may be worn.