USCG regulations on wearing uniforms
USCG Uniform Regulations
AULAUX 007/22 contains changes to Auxiliary uniform regulations.
1. The Uniform Regulations manual (Commandant Instruction Manual 1020.6 (series) was updated in July 2020 to incorporate changes recommended by Coast Guard Uniform Boards 47 and 48. Though targeting active duty and reserve personnel, most of those changes were also applicable to Auxiliarists. The following notes explain how these changes apply to Auxiliary uniform policies.
(1) Authorized Female Hair Accessories: Use of the hair claw is authorized. The hair claw shall be wingless; not to exceed 3 inches in length and 1 inch in width. The hair claw shall be black, navy blue, brown or a color similar to the individual’s hair color and shall not interfere with the proper wearing of head gear (and/or safety gear). Order issuing authorities or the activity lead may restrict the wear of hair accessories while engaged in operational environments where there is a risk for foreign object damage (FOD) hazards or for personnel safety.
(2) Female Hair Grooming Standards (bun size requirements): . Hair bun size has been increased to a maximum of 4 inches as measured out from the scalp. The circumference shall be no greater than the width of the member’s head as measured horizontally. This allows some members to form a looser bun, reducing headaches, hair breakage, and other issues caused by hair being placed in a tight bun. The bun may touch the collar, but may not fall below the bottom edge of the shirt collar or jacket collar, with exception to the foul weather parka.
(3) Female Hair Grooming Standards (authorized hairstyles): “Locks,” as defined in section 2.B. of the Uniform Regulations manual, are authorized. Hair bulk is increased to 3.5 inches as measured perpendicular to the scalp. This change takes into account the natural texture of various ethnicities’ hair, allowing it to be worn naturally All haircuts and styles shall present a balanced, neat, professional and well-groomed appearance.
(4) Female Hair Grooming Standards (hair styles requirements): Braids, cornrows, locks, and twists are authorized. Additionally, the diameter of braids, cornrows, locks and twists is increased from ¼ inch to ½ inch with no more than a ¼ inch space between rows.
(5) Female Hair Grooming Standards (pony tail requirements): Unpinned ponytails are authorized. Ponytails shall not extend beyond the bottom of the shirt collar, and if so are required to be pinned/fastened securely to the head in order to maintain this limit. This authorization gives female Auxiliarists another option over the bun and allows intermediate hair length to be pulled back without having to make a bun. Women may wear ponytails pulled through a ball cap rear opening.b. Female Fingernails: Fingernails shall be kept clean, shall have rounded or straight shaped nail tips, and their color choice shall present a professional appearance in a business environment. Only one color may be worn and all fingernails shall match. The wearing of florescent, or multi-colored polishes or nails is not authorized. 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. French nails are authorized with white tip only. The white tip shall be no wider than ¼ inch and must present a clean natural look.
c. Female Optional Footwear: Flats are authorized as an optional item for wear with the female skirt or slacks.
d. Female Maternity Uniform: The authorized female maternity uniform is updated and expanded to include an Operational Dress Uniform (ODU) post-partum nursing T-shirt. The T-shirt may be purchased on the economy (no CG-specific variant), shall be dark blue in color, and shall not extend below the lower edge of the ODU blouse when worn.
e. ODU Blouse Sleeves: The ODU blouse is authorized to be worn with sleeves up or down based on individual preference, unless greater uniformity is required by the order issuing authority or activity lead (e.g. a coxswain is authorized to specify all crewmembers to wear the ODU blouse with sleeves up).
f. Boonie Cap: The Boonie cap is authorized for wear while conducting operations in adverse environmental conditions, unless the order issuing authority or activity lead determines a greater degree of uniformity is required. The Boonie cap is only authorized for wear with the ODU and the Auxiliary Work Uniform (AWU).
g. Knit Watch Cap: The knit watch cap is authorized for wear with the ODU and the AWU during operational activities or as authorized by the order issuing authority or activity lead due to inclement weather.
h. Eyewear Retainers While in Uniform: Eyewear retainers (strap, cord, etc.) are authorized to be worn with the ODU, AWU, Tropical Blue, and Winter Dress Blue uniforms in a work environment. Retainers shall be either plain black or dark blue, and may be worn loose or tightly fitted to the head. The hanging of
eyewear loosely around the neck for short periods of time is authorized; eyewear shall not be worn on the top or back of the head or cover when not in use. Order issuing authorities or activity leads may restrict the wear of eyewear retainers, when greater uniformity is required except for tight fitting retainer straps as required for safety.
i. Tropical Blue Long Sleeve: A Tropical Blue Long (TBLS) sleeve has been approved for wear, year-round. The TBLS consists of a long sleeve light blue shirt with four-in-hand tie (double Windsor knot) and tie bar/tie tack, or the female blue tab tie. The TBLS consists of the name tag above the right pocket, no ribbons, a single insignia above the left pocket if earned, a single device above the name tag if earned, and only one badge on the pockets if earned. The remaining aspects of this uniform are the same as Tropical Blue Short Sleeve (e.g., shoulder boards vice collar devices). This change helps in climate-controlled spaces and allows members the flexibility of wearing a long sleeve shirt with identification without the Service Dress Blue (SDB) jacket in less formal situations. This uniform is not a substitute for situations that call for more formality and the wearing of the SDB jacket.
j. Grooming and Appearance Standards: Hairstyles that are lopsided, asymmetrical, unblended, un-tapered, or undercutting are not authorized and must be corrected to a properly authorized hairstyle.
k. Tie Bar/Tie Tack: A tie bar or tie tack is required to be worn with the four-in-hand tie.
l. Removal of the Boat Shoe from the Coast Guard Uniform Distribution Center (UDC) Inventory: The UDC no longer maintains boat shoes in its inventory. However, boat shoes available for purchase on the economy remain as authorized for Auxiliary uniforms.
m. Standard Blue ODU T-Shirt With Embroidery or Printed Lettering: The requirement for embroidery or printed "USCG AUXILIARY" lettering on the standard blue ODU crew neck t-shirt is removed. Embroidered or printed t-shirts are authorized until no longer serviceable or otherwise directed by higher
authority.
n. ODU Trouser With USCG Embroidered Emblem: The requirement for ODU trousers to have the CG emblem embroidered on the leg pocket flaps was removed. Embroidered ODU trousers remain authorized for wear until no longer serviceable or otherwise directed by higher authority.