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WELCOME TO THE USCG AUX INTERACTIVE UNIFORM GUIDE
AuxMan Section 10.A.1 - Auxiliary Surface Operators, PWC Operators, Paddlecraft Operators, Mobile Radio Facility Operators, and Shore-Side Harbor Patrol Operators and Aviators.
When engaged in patrol activity, Auxiliary surface operators, PWC operators, paddle craft operators, mobile radio facility operators, and shore-side harbor patrol operators are authorized to wear the Operational Dress Uniform (ODU), Coast Guard Working Uniform (CGWU), Alternative Work Uniform (AWU), Hot Weather Uniform (HWU, if regionally authorized), or Jump suit as appropriate to the climate. Appropriate foul weather gear shall be worn as circumstances warrant, and survival suits shall be worn when required. Aviators shall wear the flight suit or uniform authorized by the Order Issuing Authority (OIA).
Uniformity in appearance among a patrol’s crewmembers should be strived for to the maximum extent possible. Understanding there are different uniform options for patrol purposes, the preferred uniform for patrol activities is either the ODU or the CGWU (HWU versions, if regionally authorized, are also acceptable). The AWU is also an acceptable uniform. If a participant(s) is unable to wear the ODU or the CGWU (or HWU if regionally authorized) due to lack of availability or lack of availability due to sizing, then such participant(s) shall wear the AWU and shall not be prevented from inclusion in the patrol because of such limitation. Aviators shall wear the flight suit or other uniforms authorized by the Order Issuing Authority (OIA).
In all cases, the OIA shall have final approval authority regarding uniforms to be worn (e.g., an entire patrol crew may wear the AWU, regardless of whether or not some crewmembers are constrained to the AWU due to lack of ODU or CGWU availability or lack of availability due to sizing, if the OIA authorizes blanket AWU wear).
When the OIA has authorized more than one uniform for patrols but has not prescribed a uniform for a specific patrol, the lead Auxiliarist shall prescribe the uniform to be worn by all participating Auxiliarists from among those uniforms authorized by the OIA, understanding
that uniformity in appearance among a mission’s participants should be strived for to the maximum extent possible and that an Auxiliarist’s limitation to wearing the AWU, as it is authorized for wear, shall not prevent their inclusion for assignment to such duty.
AuxMan Section 10.A.2. - Vessel Examiners
When engaged in vessel examination activity, Vessel Examiners (VE) are authorized to wear the ODU, CGWU, AWU, HWU (if regionally authorized), or Jump suit as appropriate to the climate. When conducting Commercial Fishing Vessel Examinations (CFVE), VEs may wear Coast Guard-issued coveralls.
The white, navy blue, and powder blue Auxiliary VE polo shirt is an optional ODU, CGWU, AWU, and HWU (if regionally authorized) component. The shirt is not authorized for any other Auxiliary activity.
Pilots, Air Observers, and Aircrew
Instructors (IT) and Assistants
Tropical Blue. Men - Women.
Service Dress Blue Bravo. Men - Women.
Blue Blazer.
Military Air or Surface Travel
Auxiliarists traveling as passengers on any Coast Guard or military air or surface craft shall dress as prescribed by local commanders.
AuxMan Section 10.A.7. - Assignment to Duty
An OIA shall normally prescribe an Auxiliary uniform(s) for assignment to duty. When the OIA has authorized more than one uniform for assignment to duty but has not prescribed a uniform for a specific mission, the lead Auxiliarist shall prescribe the uniform to be worn by all participating Auxiliarists from among those uniforms authorized by the OIA, understanding that uniformity in appearance among a mission’s participants should be strived for to the maximum extent possible and that an Auxiliarist’s limitation to wearing the AWU, as it is authorized for wear, shall not prevent their inclusion for assignment to such duty.
Auxiliarists shall conform to Coast Guard unit policies regarding such uniform wear whenever executing the assignment to duty or interacting with, acting on behalf of, or representing the unit. If the ODU, CGWU, or their HWU (if regionally authorized) versions are authorized and a participant(s) is unable to procure the ODU, CGWU, or their HWU (if regionally authorized) versions due to size availability, then they shall wear the AWU (or its HWU version if authorized). The AWU is specifically not authorized to be worn for ceremonial or formal events (e.g., not to be worn as part of a color guard; in parade formation; paying a courtesy call upon a Sector or District Commander). Any unresolved questions, disputes, or misunderstandings regarding such uniform wear shall be referred to the Director.
Auxiliarists may wear the member insignia or the insignia of their highest office whenever engaged in the conduct of authorized activities that do not entail assignment to duty as part of a Coast Guard unit’s crew whether ashore or afloat.
When assigned to duty as part of a Coast Guard unit’s crew whether ashore or afloat Auxiliarists shall wear uniforms consistent with those of the unit’s crew unless another uniform is authorized by the unit’s Commanding Officer (e.g., the AWU). They shall wear the member insignia with such uniforms. The office insignia of their highest office may be worn on such uniforms for ceremonial events held by the unit and as otherwise authorized for wear by the unit’s Commanding Officer.
When an Auxiliarist’s assignment to duty, whether ashore or afloat, entails high-level engagement with Coast Guard and/or other agency counterparts (e.g., assignment to duty as a government Liaison Officer pursuant to stand-up of an Incident Command Post), they may wear the insignia of their highest office on such uniforms after consultation with and obtaining the approval of the cognizant geographical Director.
Individual uniform clothing items may be tailored to fit (e.g., trousers for the Dinner Dress White Jacket uniform). They may not be physically joined or combined with any other individual uniform clothing items or fabrics.
AuxMan Section 10.A.8. - Formal and Ceremonial Occasions
Wearing an appropriate Auxiliary uniform by active or retired Auxiliarists for formal and ceremonial occasions is authorized as follows:
a. At civilian, military, and Auxiliary ceremonies and events that are clearly military service-centric in nature (e.g., military changes of command; Auxiliary changes of watch; military and Auxiliary retirements; Coast Guard Foundation dinners; local community banquets in honor of military services; patriotic parades on national holidays; funerals of military veterans and Auxiliarists) and which require a uniform. Auxiliarists who do not own Dinner Dress Blue Jacket or Dinner Dress White Jacket may wear Service Dress Blue “Bravo” (or Service Dress Blue “Alpha” as may be prescribed) to such ceremonies and events for which such formal wear is prescribed.
b. Service Dress Blue “Bravo,” Service Dress Blue “Alpha,” or Service Dress White may be worn when prescribed for military personnel. However, Service Dress White is only authorized for wear by past and present District Commodores, past and present members of the National Executive Committee (NEXCOM), and Auxiliarists who are currently certified in the Auxiliary Chaplain Support (ACS) program when it is the prescribed uniform for the ceremony or event in which they have been invited to participate.
c. Social or other functions when the invitation has been clearly influenced by military service (e.g., an Auxiliarist who has been invited to be part of a bridal party for a military bride and/or groom may wear Service Dress White only if it is the prescribed uniform and the Auxiliarist is authorized to wear that uniform as authorized above).
d. If an Auxiliarist does not possess any of the aforementioned uniforms, then they may wear the Blue Blazer outfit or civilian wear comparable for such events (e.g., personal gown; personal tuxedo).
e. The Uniform Regulations, COMDTINST M1020.6 (series, CIM link), authorize retired Coast Guard personnel to wear the dress uniform that was prescribed at the time of their retirement, or any dress uniform that is currently authorized for military personnel, to certain formal and ceremonial events. The same holds true for Auxiliarists in retired status. Such events include:
Military ceremonies (e.g., retirements; changes of command; funerals).
Patriotic parades on national holidays or occasions in which military personnel are taking part.
Social or other functions when the invitation has been influenced by the Auxiliarist’s prior military service.
f. Due to the nature of certain formal Auxiliary events like changes of watch, conferences, and banquets, such events are recognized as falling within the general scope of military ceremony. They are nonetheless Auxiliary events, and Auxiliarists who are invited to them are so invited because of their Auxiliary membership status, not due to a retired military status as may be held by military retired or veteran personnel. Accordingly, Auxiliarists who are also military retired or veteran personnel are strongly encouraged and recommended to wear their Auxiliary dress uniform under such circumstances in lieu of any authorized military dress uniform.
Prohibited Occasions
Wearing of the Auxiliary uniform without proper authority is a violation of law. Prohibited occasions for wear include:
a. In places of dubious reputation where the uniform might be discredited or disgraced.
b. When engaged in political activities.
c. During paid employment or sports.
d. Aboard an Auxiliary vessel or aircraft facility unless the facility is on an authorized patrol.
e. Entry to or while present in a foreign country or territory unless specifically authorized by an appropriate Coast Guard authority.
Authorization may be granted in the following cases:
(1) A scheduled patrol or deployment that might enter foreign territories.
(2) An authorized SAR mission involving foreign borders or territories.
(3) Deployment or guest status aboard a Coast Guard cutter or aircraft that enters foreign territory.
(4) Visiting a foreign country as an Auxiliarist on official business.
Auxiliarists may not wear any distinctive part of the uniform or official Auxiliary insignia with civilian clothing when not assigned to duty. This includes Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) that is marked with wording that includes, “USCG Auxiliary” or any version thereof (e.g., life jackets, cold weather gear).
Auxiliary uniforms shall not be worn for any personal ceremony or event (e.g., an Auxiliarist shall not wear an Auxiliary uniform for their own wedding, college graduation, vacation, etc.).
AuxMan Section 10.A.10. - Other Auxiliary Activities
Understanding that uniformity in appearance among a mission’s participants should be strived for to the maximum extent possible, the Director, or elected leaders at any level, may require a specific uniform to be worn to participate in Auxiliary activities other than those listed above. This may include, but is not limited to, appearances at public affairs activities (e.g., boat shows, civic lectures, boating safety booths), participation in any recruiting mission, and attendance at national or district conferences. An Auxiliarist’s limitation to wearing the AWU, as it is authorized for wear, shall not prevent their inclusion for assignment to such duty.
If the ODU, CGWU, or their HWU (if regionally authorized) versions are specified and a participant(s) is unable to obtain the ODU, CGWU, or their HWU version due to availability or size availability, then they shall wear the AWU (or its HWU version if regionally authorized). However, the AWU is specifically not authorized to be worn for ceremonial or formal events (e.g., not to be worn as part of a color guard; in parade formation; paying a courtesy call upon a Sector or District Commander). Any unresolved questions, disputes, or misunderstandings regarding such uniform wear shall be referred to the Director for resolution.
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