Types of Uniforms
Auxiliary members have the privilege of wearing official uniforms of the U.S. Coast Guard, with subtle differences to distinguish volunteers from active-duty or reserve forces.
Generally, Auxilary uniform buttons and insignia are silver and bear the letter "A"; while active-duty and reserve forces are gold - thus the term the "gold-side" of the Coast Guard.
Nevertheless, to the general public the Auxiliary is virtually indistinguishable from the gold-side; thus Auxiliary members are held to the same high-standards of dress, grooming, and conduct as their active-duty and reserve shipmates.
Therefore, wear your Auxiliary uniform with pride, and give it the respect that serving in uniform is due.
There are nine different types of Auxiliary uniforms depending upon the occasion.
- Operational Dress Uniform (similar to the military-style Battle Dress Uniform)
Operational Dress Uniform (ODU)
Generally, this type of uniform is worn during operational missions
(.e.g, patrols, watchstands, annual outdoor events such as Harbor
Clean-Up, Boat Shows, Tall Ships Festivals, and other non-Public Affairs
events.
The Flotilla Commander will always indicate the uniform-of-the-day when members are assigned to duty.
ODU
Alternative Working Uniform(AWU)
Alternative Working Uniform (AWU)
The Alternative Working Uniform Pilot Program (AWUPP) was conducted in the 1st Southern and 8th Coastal Regions of the USCG AUX from 1 OCT 2021, through 31 DEC 2022.
The Program's purpose is to introduce the new Alternative Working Uniform that any members may opt to wear instead of ODs or the Coast Guard CGU being rolled out over the next two years to active duty.
For further information please Click Here
NOTE: While AWU is approved for use on missions previously designated for the ODU, it can only be worn if all members of the mission are wearing the AWU. We suggest for now holding off on any additional purchases until the AWU becomes our primary operational uniform..
- Hot Weather Uniform (Optional to ODUs)
Hot Weather Uniform
- This uniform is authorized as an optional uniform for Auxiliarists only at the discretion of their DIRAUX.
- No USCG equivalent.,
- The Director (DIRAUX) shall prescribe the proper season for its wear.
- It is not appropriate for routine office wear.
- Shorts are modified Coast Guard modified blue utility or ODU trousers, cut and hemmed at knee or 1 inch above knee.
- Any shirt worn, must be tucked into the shorts with this uniform.
- The Coast Guard dark blue crew neck T-shirt (stenciled or embroidered with the words “USCG AUXILIARY” across the front left chest in white 3⁄4-inch tall block-style letters) is the prescribed shirt with this uniform.
- Plain blue ODU T-shirt is now authorized per UB 47).
- The Auxiliary Operations Polo Shirt may be worn with this uniform as,an alternative for patrol activities.
The optional VE shirt may be worn when conducting vessel safety checks (VSCs).
- Well-blackened 8-inch or 10-inch safety boots, boat shoes (dark blue or brown leather) or all white or all black, low top, athletic shoes with nonskid/non-marking soles are authorized for Auxiliarists wearing the hot weather uniform.
- Socks shall be all white, athletic type, crew length.
- Belt is black web belt with silver buckle and tip or the optional basic riggers belt.
- The Auxiliary ball cap, or the Tilley hat, are the prescribed hats to be worn with this uniform.
- No insignias are worn on the ODU T-shirt, the Operations Polo Shirt,,or the VE polo shirt.
- Two Service Undress - Tropical ("Trops") or Winter Blue
Service Undress Uniforms
Generally, this type of uniform is worn in non-operational mission
situations (.e.g, Flotilla Meetings and Public Affairs events.
Tropical Blue
Winter Blue
Note: the official season for the optional Winter Dress Blue is Nov. 1 to Mar. 31 annually.
- Two Service Dress - Blue or White
Service Dress Uniforms
Generally, this type of uniform is worn in formal situations equivalent to those that indicate a civilian coat and tie, or suit.
Equivalent to Civilian Coat & Tie, or Suit
- Two Dinner Dress - Blue or White
Dinner Dress Uniforms
Generally, this type of uniform is worn in formal situations equivalent to those that indicate a civilian black tie event.
Eqivalent to Civilian Black Tie
- Two Dinner Dress Jacket - Blue or White
Dinner Dress Jacket Uniforms
Generally, this type of uniform is worn in formal situations equivalent to those that indicate a civilian tuxedo event.
Equivalent to Civilian Tuxedo
Note: This list is ordered from least formal to most formal uniform types - Auxiliary members typically procure ODUs and Trops. The rest of the uniforms are optional.
Click here for link to USCG Auxiliary Uniform Guidelines
Where to Purchase
Unfortunately there is no one-stop shop for complete uniform purchases. Providers for uniforms, accessories, devices, caps, etc, are spread across several sites and vendors.
NOTE: If at any time you have questions or issues locating what you are looking, please contact your FSO-MA(Materials Officer) for assistance
Purchasing & Procurement Links & Information:
NOTE: ShopCGX requires a login account to view prices and some clothing items. If you do not have an account, you'll need to register for one on the web site.
ODU - Click to view
Hot Weather Uniform - Optional for VEs To ODUs - Click to view
Service Dress - Trops - Click to view
