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These are links to Uniform info and where to buy your Uniforms.

•  USCGAUX National Uniform Presentation 01/08/2019

• Coast Guard Exchange (CGX)
• For assistance with your online order or account:
  Toll Free: 1-800-572-0230 Ext. 1
• UNIFORM QUESTIONS
  For questions regarding Uniforms, sizing, availability, and returns, please contact the Uniform Distribution Center. Toll Free:1-800-874-6841
  Items available:
•  Tropical Blue, Service Dress Blue & ODU uniforms Coats,
•  Foul Weather Parkas, Windbreakers, and Sweaters
  
• USCG AUXILIARY nametapes Garrison and Combination caps
  
• Shoes & boots

• Lighthouse Uniform Company
• 1532 15TH AVENUE WEST
  PO BOX 19213
  SEATTLE, WA 98119
  PHONE: 1-800-426-5225
  FAX: (206) 282-5662
  E-Mail: [email protected]
• The Lighthouse Signature Line has many sizes available in all uniforms

 CARE AND MAINTENANCE OF AUXILIARY UNIFORMS

. Uniforms are a big investment, and with conscientious care, they can truly last for years and can be a pleasure to wear. The best way to make uniforms last and keep them looking sharp is to give them proper care. Keep them cleaned, and on hangers when possible. No matter how well a new uniform fits, it will soon lose its shape—especially the coat—if the pockets
bulge with odds and ends. Trousers should never be tossed over a chair but hung to keep the press in. Use hangers specially made for pants. And hang them with empty pockets and no belt. As a rule of thumb, clean your tailored trousers every second or third wearing. More casual pants (cotton) could use a more frequent cleaning. Brush them in between cleanings. We recommend turning cotton trousers inside out before washing and drying to cut down on
undue abrasion. Damp clothing should be carefully hung and smoothed out to avoid wrinkles as it dries.

SILVER LACE, CAP DEVICES, AND BUTTONS
Silver lace, or braid, will tarnish and is best cleaned by an experienced tailor.
However, most uniform shops sell a commercial cleaner that will remove light tarnish.
Embroidered cap devices and other insignia may be kept bright by light brushing with a small brush and ammonia diluted in water. This should be done at the first signs of tarnish. After heavy discoloration, the device cannot be restored to its original condition. Metal cap devices can be kept bright by using soap and water or polishing the silver with any silver polish.

SINGE MARKS
A singe mark can be removed by rubbing vigorously with the flat side of a silver coin. Some singe marks can be removed by sponging with a 3 percent solution of hydrogen peroxide and drying in direct sunlight. Never use this treatment on wool or dyed fabrics. Cuts, burns, or moth holes can be rewoven by a skillful tailor, who takes thread from another part of the garment; the shiny spots on serge can be removed by first sponging with a 1:20 solution of ammonia, then covering with a damp cloth, pressing with a hot iron, and rubbing gently with “00” sandpaper or emery cloth, but it’s best to let an experienced tailor do this.

MEDALS
The surfaces of decorations are protected with an oxidized satin finish and a lacquer coating. They will not tarnish, and need no polishing; polishing may remove the finish. Medals may be cleaned with soap and water. The ribbons may be dry-cleaned, or replaced.

MOTHS
The best way to discourage moths is to brush clothing frequently and expose it to sunshine and fresh air when possible. If clothing is to be stored for any time, pack items in airtight plastic bags with camphor balls, naphthalene, or cedar wood.

MILDEW
New mildew can be washed out with cold water. Old stains in white cotton can be removed with a household laundry bleach.

STAINS
It is possible to stain a uniform with anything from alcohol to zinc chromate, but if you know what made the stain, an expert cleaner can remove it. In the way of first aid to a uniform before it goes to the cleaner, try soap and water—cool water for wool and warm water for cotton.
Dress uniforms should always be professionally dry-cleaned. Never apply a hot iron directly to dress uniforms; if pressing is required between dry-cleaning, place a damp cloth over the area to be pressed prior to ironing. When caring for all uniforms, always look for care and cleaning instructions on the label, and follow them strictly. The following specific hints may assist you in the general care of uniform items:

A. OIL OR GREASE
Put clean cloth or absorbent paper under the garment, apply commercial cleaning
fluid (or lighter fuel) to the stain, and tamp it, driving the oil or grease through to the cloth or paper. If the stain is heavy, shift the cloth to a clean place and use more cleaning fluid. To avoid a ring around the stain, wet a clean cloth with cleaning fluid and sponge lightly, working outward from the center of the area.

B. PAINT
Fresh paint should be handled as if it were oil or grease. Once it is dry and hard,
the uniform should be sent to a professional cleaner. If this is not possible, apply
turpentine and let it stand for an hour, then use a spoon or some other blunt object to break up the paint and flush it out as done for oil and grease. (Never rub when spotting fabric; this will leave a chafed area, with subsequent damage to color and weave. Always use a tamping action with a brush.)

C. PARAFFIN OR WAX
Put blotting paper over the spot and apply a hot iron. Continue, using clean blotting paper, until the spot is soaked up

CARE OF OPERATIONAL DRESS UNIFORM SHIRTS
Pre-shrink U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Tapes and Name Tapes before sewing them onto your ODU or Working Blue uniforms. Rinse each tape in warm water for 2 minutes and lay them out flat to dry. In other words, if you get a new shirt and new name tape, throw both into the
washer/dryer a few times before you actually get the tapes affixed to the shirt. The reason for this is that the shirt and tape may not wear the same way, and you might end up with a nametape that makes the shirt all wrinkly around the edges. The wash process should be done at least 3-4 times before you sew-on the tapes

DEVICES: USE AND MAINTENANCE TRICK FROM MEMBERS
Nametags, ribbons, and certain devices can be prevented from “flopping” by using a backing. This makes your uniform shirts look “high speed”. Exchanges carry backing material, which you wear inside the shirt, cut to the device size. As an alternative, use thin white cardboard or plastic, such as that from a margarine container lid.

SHIRTS: PUTTING CREASES IN YOUR SHIRTS
Military creases may be worn at the member’s option.
For military creases, you do not need the dry cleaner! It’s easy! On the front of the shirt, iron a crease straight up and down centered through the pocket flap buttons from the collar to the tails/bottom. Thus, you will end up with 2 creases down the front of the shirt. Needless to say the “point” of the crease faces outwards. For the back of the shirt, find the center of the shirt, and crease from about 2 inches below the collar (the yoke) to the bottom. Once that is ironed, carefully pick up the shirt and align the two side seams, which help you find the exact center of the shirt. That is dampened and ironed. The two side seams are established as near to half way between the center crease and the sleeve seam as possible. A quick spray (use spray bottle with tap water), and
then fold a line parallel to the center crease. Repeat for the other side of the shirt. The“secret” is to only iron the crease, about 1 inch of material, not the entire area. This helps you avoid over ironing a part of the shirt that might be under the area that you are ironing. Another version is to take a dollar bill and place it spread out lengthwise to each side to find the side creases. These creases will begin about an inch lower than the primary creases and go to the bottom. Thus, you will end up with three back creases.
NOTE: Sewn-in military creases are not authorized. Don’t forget to press the sleeves

SHOES/BOOTS:
Keep your black shoes shiny! Total investment under 5 dollars. Here’s how: The Exchanges should have a few things you need: Polish, a Shoe Brush, and a Rag. Read the directions on whatever black polish you pick. If they differ, follow their directions, not mine. Basically, you apply a thicker layer first, allow it to dry for a few minutes, then brush that layer to create the base. Not much shine will appear after this layer. Then, you apply a thin layer. You don’t need to let it dry. By gently sprinkling water on the new layer, then buffing it with a soft cloth,
you will begin to develop a nice shine. You can repeat a few times if necessary. The only caveat in this process is, if you go too crazy with the buffing, you’ll actually over buff your shoes, lose the shine, and have to start over.

UNIFORM: “CONSISTENCY and CONFORMANCE”
It is important to keep a sharp military appearance when in uniform. A poor uniform may reflect poorly on you, but that’s the least of the reasons for wearing a properly coordinated uniform. An uncoordinated uniform reflects poorly on the United States Coast Guard, the Reserve, the Auxiliary, and the military in its entirety. Pencils, pens, watch chains, pins, combs, smoking material, or jewelry (i.e. necklace/chains except for rings) are not to be worn or carried exposed on a uniform. Wristwatches and identification bracelets are permitted. Earrings are prohibited for men in uniform under any circumstances, and are prohibited in civilian clothing aboard any vessel, aircraft, or on any military installation, or when directed to wear civilian clothing while on official duty. No other type of body piercing ornamentation is authorized for men or women. Women can wear only one (not multiple) pair of earrings at a time, 1⁄4 inch maximum size round ball-style in gold, silver or pearl are authorized with all uniforms: when formal or dinner
dress uniform is worn, 1⁄4 inch maximum, diamond earrings are authorized.
The bottoms of trousers or slacks should touch the shoe tops from instep rearward.
The socks must not be exposed when the wearer is standing. Men’s hair should be neat and clean, not touch the collar, (not square-back) and be away from the ears. Back of women’s hair may touch but not fall below the bottom edge of
the collar. Women’s hair shall not show under the front brim of the cap or extend below the eyebrows when headgear is removed. A single ponytail is authorized for female members, as long as it does not detract from the uniform, extend beyond the top of the collar, exceed
the bulk limit, or interfere with the wearing of headgear. No more than one braid shall be
worn in the hair. Afro, natural, bouffant, and other similar hairstyles are permitted, but
exaggerated styles, including those with excess fullness or extreme height are not
authorized. Eccentric styles or colors may not be worn while in uniform or in a duty status.
Varying hairstyles are permitted provided these styles meet the criteria of bulk and do not
interfere with the proper wearing of military headgear.
Throughout your Auxiliary career, there will be many opportunities to wear your
uniform. You must have a clean, pressed uniform and meet personal appearance standards.
Women’s skirt hemline should end at crease in back of knee but can go no lower than 2
inches below the crease. Handbag style should be hand/over shoulder but can be shortened
to wear over arm.
Windbreaker jackets are authorized for use with the tropical, winter dress, undress,
and working uniforms. When worn, the jacket shall be zipped at least 2⁄3 the way up.
Wooly Pully and Cardigan Sweaters may be worn with Service Dress Blue, Tropical
Blue, Undress, and working uniforms. They cannot be worn as OUTER WEAR, on
commercial transportation, parade, etc. They may be worn inter-office or inter-building only.
Men should wear only V-neck white undershirts with the Tropical Blue, and working blue
uniform. With all open neck shirts (except flight suits and the ODU) your undershirt or
garment should not be showing. ODUs require a blue crew neck undershirt that does show.
It is available for purchase from the UDC. Are all your buttons buttoned (dress jackets are
only worn buttoned, never open and hanging loose); is your hair too long and untidy; are your
shoes shined; your hands should not be in your pockets; are your trousers pressed to show
the crease front and back; if outdoors—is your cap or hat on (it should be)?

TO PONDER:
You represent the United States Coast Guard, Coast Guard Reserve, Coast Guard Auxiliary,
and the Civilian Coast Guard Family. This is a huge responsibility as a member of the Coast
Guard Auxiliary to live up to. The public (our customers) will be watching, and your
appearance will affect people’s attitudes toward you, your mission, and, more importantly, the
United States Coast Guard Mission.