Flotilla 5-4 Uniform Information

A NOTE FROM THE FLOTILLA COMMANDER  

Shipmates,

Wearing the Coast Guard Auxiliary uniform is a privilege. The Auxiliary uniform is, essentially, a modified version of the Coast Guard uniform and, as such, you should always be mindful that your appearance in uniform projects an image to the public of not only you as an individual but also the Auxiliary and the Coast Guard as a whole. Over the last few years, Coast Guard Headquarters has pushed hard for raising uniform/appearance standards in the Auxiliary and I expect each member of Flotilla 54 to do his/her part. Accordingly, it is important that you pay careful attention to, and abide by, all uniform regulations and guidelines. 

Below you will find links to various uniforms-related resources, including to a slideshow promulgated by the National Staff as a guide to proper uniform wear. Please use these materials as your primary reference and consult the COLM if you require further guidance.

Please also remember that you are not required to buy/maintain uniforms as a condition of Auxiliary membership. While active duty and reserve Coast Guardsmen are supposed to maintain a “full seabag” (i.e., a specified minimum number of uniform items), no such regulation applies to the Auxiliary. Uniforms are encouraged (but not required) for flotilla meetings, and business casual civilian attire is appropriate and acceptable for these and many other Auxiliary activities. In fact, professional civilian attire is almost always preferable to an incomplete, incorrect, or ill-fitting uniform.

That said, uniforms are required for a variety of Auxiliary activities and you will be expected to wear the correct uniform in order to participate in these activities. Generally, Tropical Blue ("Trops") is the prescribed Uniform of the Day for flotilla meetings, public education courses, ceremonies, etc., while the Operational Dress Uniform ("ODU") is the working/operational uniform (though the Hot Weather Uniform may also be prescribed).

Additionally, for those of you who choose not to adhere to Coast Guard grooming standards, or otherwise would prefer not to wear military-style uniforms, I encourage you to choose one of the two optional alternative uniforms available--the Auxiliary Blue Blazer Outfit and the Auxiliary Alternative Working Uniform (“AWU”), to be worn in lieu of Trops and ODU’s respectively. Both are described in the materials below. 

Sincerely, 

Christopher R. Fernandez | Flotilla Commander
USCG Auxiliary Flotilla 5-4 (Delray-Boynton Beach)

UNIFORM RESOURCES 

Coast Guard Auxiliary National Human Resources Directorate, Uniforms Division

Provides official guidance regarding the correct wear of Coast Guard Auxiliary Uniforms. This link includes a slideshow summarizing applicable uniform regulations that includes helpful tips and graphics.

Coast Guard Exchange

The Coast Guard Exchange's online store is your primary source for uniform items. Login required.

Any Auxiliary-specific uniform items not carried by the Coast Guard Exchange will be available from the Coast Guard Auxiliary Association's online store. Login required.  

Instructional Videos

Available on YouTube using the hashtag #CGHowTo, including: How to Blouse Trousers; How to Roll ODU Sleeves; and How to Starch Uniforms. 

COMMON UNIFORM MISTAKES

Missing or incorrect headgear.  Please remember that the hats/caps prescribed for each uniform are required parts of the uniform, not optional accessories. Be sure the appropriate insignia is affixed to each cap. Caps should be worn squarely on the head any time you are outdoors and removed anytime you are indoors.

Ribbons missing, out of order.  Like caps, for those uniforms wear ribbons are prescribed (i.e., Trops), they are required; they are not optional accessories.  You have the option of wearing: (1) all ribbons earned; or (2) the top three ribbons earned. Ribbons must be worn in the correct order of precedence. Ribbons earned during prior military service may be worn. Please consult the AUXMAN regarding the proper wear of ribbons, qualification insignia, and badges. 

You may want to purchase a Pin-It card (or something similar) to help you properly affix your ribbons, devices, and insignia. You may also want to use ribbon backers (or an index card or piece of foam rubber) to make your ribbons, devices, and name tag sit flush against your shirt for a smarter appearance.

Incorrect footwear.  Black oxford dress shoes are required to be worn with Trops; other styles of dress shoe, sneakers, and boots are not acceptable. Shoes should be polished to a high shine or made of patent leather (or similar material) that does not require shining.  

Black safety boots are the prescribed footwear for the ODU. Boat shoes are authorized to be worn with ODU in lieu of boots for on-the-water activities where appropriate. Most Auxiliary coxswains prefer crew members to wear boat shoes to avoid scuffing the decks of their boats. Many Vessel Examiners also choose to wear boat shoes for the same reason. However, boat shoes are not to be worn with the ODU outside of these environments.  If worn, boat shoes must be a “dark brown leather, low cut shoe of moccasin type construction, with functional rawhide lacing with 6 to 10 brass eyelets . . . [the] sole will be white, slip resistant, and made of a non- marking material.” Any commercially available boat shoe that meets this description is acceptable. 

Mixing civilian attire, especially outerwear.  You may not wear non-uniform jackets, sweaters, raincoats, etc., with your uniform. You should purchase either the “wooly pully” sweater or the windbreaker for wear with Trops. For ODU, it should be enough to simply layer a long-sleeve t-shirt (also available from the Coast Guard Exchange) and/or the “wooly pully” sweater underneath the ODU top and keep the sleeves rolled down. Given the infrequency of cold weather in South Florida, it obviously does not make sense to invest too much in cold weather items (parka, trench coat, etc.).

Improper grooming.  While active duty grooming and appearance standards are relaxed for the Auxiliary, that does not mean that anything goes, and Auxiliarists are encouraged to strive to attain the same standards as active duty members. The following minimum standards apply. 

• Men’s hair to be neat and clean, not touch the collar, and be away from the ears. Women’s hair should not be below the collar or extend below the eyebrows
  when the hat is removed.
  
• Beards, sideburns, or mustaches if worn, shall be well groomed and neatly trimmed at all times in order not to present a ragged appearance. No portion of a mustache will extend below the lip line of the upper lip. Handlebar mustaches or other eccentric styles are not appropriate while in uniform. Full and partial beards, van dykes, and goatees are authorized.
• Women’s cosmetics shall be of conservative color and worn in good taste. Eccentricities in color and manner of wear shall not be worn while in uniform.
  
• Fingernails shall not extend more than ¼ inch beyond the fingertip. Ornate decorations (such as gems) or ornamentation of the fingernail polish (such as painted pictures or designs) are not authorized.
  

Unauthorized jewelry/accessories.  Again, while Auxiliarists to strive to attain the active duty standards, the following minimum standards apply.

• Men are prohibited from wearing earrings. Women may wear one pair of gold, silver, or pearl earrings which should be small (maximum 1⁄4 inch) and of the round ball style. Women may wear diamond stud earrings (maximum 1⁄4 inch) with the Dinner Dress uniforms. Dangling and hoop earrings are prohibited while in uniform. No articles, jewelry, or studs other than those specified for women shall be through or attached to the ear, nose, tongue, or any other visible body part while in uniform.
• Members in uniform may wear personal display items such as bracelets, necklaces, wristwatches, ID bracelets and rings. If visible while in uniform, these items must be conservative, non-controversial, and in good taste (necklaces and neck chains must not be visible). There shall be no more than two rings on each hand. Eccentricities in color and manner of wear (for example, rings on every finger, a large number of bracelets, and large chains) shall not be worn when in uniform.