Shipmates,
Here is the full text of ALAUX 015/11 which discusses the application of the recent ALCOAST (291/11) to the Auxiliary.
I have done a bit of annotation to highlight a few significant points.
Changes that impact our standard practice locally or are of particular importance as reminders are in BOLD BLUE.
Changes that have significantly less impact but are still notable are in purple.
Please pass any questions that arise to your chain of leadership. We are all working to meet the expectations laid out by the Commandant.
As previously communicated we are a uniformed component of the Coast Guard. Attention to detail in our uniform wear is one of the duties we owe ourselves, our shipmates, and the Nation we serve.
01JUL2011 Update: The first of a series of videos on these changes is available
here - this first video focuses on covers.
Very respectfully,
Daren
AUXILIARY UNIFORM GUIDANCE -015/11
1. Coast Guard uniform policies were recently changed as described in ALCOAST 291/11. Although considerable latitude was provided to minimize the impacts of these changes on Auxiliary uniform policies, several changes to Auxiliary uniform policies are appropriate in order to sustain a high degree of servicewide continuity. The following provisions summarize the main impacts on and resultant effective changes to Auxiliary uniform policies stemming from that ALCOAST. Due to the nature and breadth of uniform policies, not all uniform policy impacts to all sections of Chapter 10 of the Coast Guard Auxiliary Manual, COMDTINST M16790.1 (series) can be described in this message. Additional detailed changes will be included in the forthcoming revision to that manual.
2. Primary Uniform Policy Changes
a. Service Dress Blue (SDB) uniform:
(1) May be worn year-round for business within the Coast Guard and for special occasions where the civilian equivalent is coat and tie.
(2) Authorized for wear in a travel status pursuant to Coast Guard assignment to duty.
(3) Prescribed outer wear with the SDB are the bridge coat or trench coat with combination cap. The overcoat, reefer coat, foul weather parka (FWP), garrison cap, and Air Force cold weather cap will no longer be authorized for Auxiliary wear with the SDB uniform as of December 31, 2012.
(4) The windbreaker may be worn in lieu of the SDB coat except when the SDB coat is more appropriate for an occasion. Auxiliarists shall conform to Coast Guard unit policies regarding such wear whenever interacting with or representing the unit.
b. Tropical Blue uniform:
(1) May be worn year-round for appropriate assignments to duty. It may be worn in lieu of the SDB, but not to functions where civilian dress is coat and tie.
(2) Authorized for wear in a travel status pursuant to Coast Guard assignment to duty.
(3) Prescribed outer wear with the Tropical Blue uniform are the windbreaker and trench coat with combination cap or garrison cap (ball caps of any type are not authorized for wear with the Tropical Blue uniform). The overcoat, reefer coat, and work jacket will no longer be authorized for Auxiliary wear with the Tropical Blue uniform as of December 31, 2012.
(4) The FWP [foul weather parka] may be worn with the Tropical Blue uniform if adverse environmental conditions dictate the need for this heavier outer wear (such wear shall be limited to necessary occasions or periods). Auxiliarists shall otherwise conform to Coast Guard unit policies regarding such wear whenever interacting with or representing the unit.
c. Winter Dress Blue (WDB) uniform:
(1) May be worn between November 1 and March 31 for general office wear, visits to Coast Guard units, and appropriate assignments to duty. It is the basic cold climate, non-operational uniform and may be worn in lieu of the SDB, but not to functions where civilian dress is coat and tie.
(2) Authorized for wear in a travel status pursuant to Coast Guard assignment to duty.
(3) Prescribed outer wear with the WDB are the windbreaker, bridge coat, or trench coat with garrison cap or combination cap (ball caps of any type are not authorized for wear with the WDB uniform). The overcoat, reefer coat, and Air Force cold weather cap will no longer be authorized for Auxiliary wear with the SDB uniform as of December 31, 2012.
(4) The FWP may be worn with the WDB if adverse environmental conditions dictate the need for this heavier outer wear (such wear shall be limited to necessary occasions or periods). Auxiliarists shall otherwise conform to Coast Guard unit policies regarding such wear whenever interacting with or representing the unit.
(5) The developmental WDB shirt with permanent silicone creases shall not be authorized for Auxiliary wear until approved by the Coast Guard Uniform Board as a standard seabag item.
d. Operational Dress Uniform (ODU):
(1) May be worn year-round primarily as a field utility and watchstanding uniform, and may be worn in an office environment.
(2) Auxiliarists shall carefully consider the appropriateness of ODU wear in settings that are highly representational in nature, where the type of interaction with the public dictates more formality, or settings in an interagency environment. In DoD, joint or inter-service environments, wear of the ODU should align with the DoD equivalent uniform of the day. The ODU should not be worn for visits to civilian agencies or non-Coast Guard organizations unless the prescribed uniform of the day is the ODU or DoD equivalent at the visit site. However, in some cases the ODU may be appropriate due to the operational nature of the visit or the nature of the work to be performed. The ODU may be worn for commuting to and from duty assignments, using either private or public forms of transportation. Auxiliarists shall otherwise conform to Coast Guard unit policies regarding such wear whenever interacting with or representing the unit.
(3) Prescribed outer wear with the ODU is the FWP with the standard Auxiliary ball cap (or Coast Guard unit ball cap, if authorized due to the nature of support provided to the Coast Guard unit), knit watch cap, or the Auxiliary sun (Tilley) hat. The windbreaker, work jacket, trench coat, wooly-pully, cardigan sweater, and blue working utility cap will no longer be authorized for Auxiliary wear with the ODU as of December 31, 2012.
(4) Shoes that are worn with the ODU shall be well-blackened 8-inch or 10-inch safety boots. When worn in an office, boots shall be shined. Excess laces shall be tucked away so they cannot be seen. The boat shoe (dark blue or brown leather, low cut of moccasin type construction with functional rawhide lacing, brass eyelets, and non-marking sole) is an authorized option for Auxiliarists, regardless of type ODU that is worn (regular or Hot Weather Uniform).
(5) Auxiliarists are authorized to remove the ODU blouse when engaged in demanding, prolonged operations in high temperatures. In all such cases, the Coast Guard dark blue crew neck T-shirt shall be worn stenciled or embroidered with the words “USCG AUXILIARY” across the front left chest in white ¾-inch tall block-style letters. It shall be in good condition with no tears or stains. It may be 100 percent cotton or may be made of a cotton-polyester blend to facilitate moisture wicking. This relaxed ODU wear is not intended for routine wear in the office environment or public. It is not authorized for wear while commuting to and from duty assignments, including in private vehicles. Auxiliarists shall otherwise conform to Coast Guard unit policies regarding such wear whenever interacting with or representing the unit.
(6) All Auxiliarists shall pay particular attention to appearance while wearing the ODU. The ODU shall be serviceable, well-maintained, clean, and not faded or discolored.
(7) The tucked ODU shall remain authorized for Auxiliary wear until no longer serviceable.
e. Hot Weather Uniform:
(1) Though no longer authorized for active duty personnel, the Hot Weather Uniform remains authorized for Auxiliary wear.
(2) The prescribed shirt for the Hot Weather Uniform is the Coast Guard dark blue crew neck T-shirt shall be worn stenciled or embroidered with the words “USCG AUXILIARY” across the front left chest in white ¾-inch tall block-style letters. It shall be in good condition with no tears or stains. It may be 100 percent cotton or may be made of a cotton-polyester blend to facilitate moisture wicking. The Auxiliary operations polo shirt may be worn with this uniform as an alternative (note – the Auxiliary operations polo shirt may be worn as an alternative to the Coast Guard working blue uniform shirt, the ODU top, and the Hot Weather Uniform shirt). Additionally, the Vessel Examiner shirt may be worn with this uniform as an alternative when conducting vessel safety checks. The standard Coast Guard light blue (Air Force) short sleeve shirt (undress blue) and the standard Coast Guard dark blue short sleeve shirt (working blue) will no longer be authorized for Auxiliary wear with the Hot Weather Uniform as of December 31, 2012.
3. ALCOAST 291/11 also conveyed the Coast Guard Uniform Board’s concern about several other items, as addressed below:
a. Ball Caps:
(1) In support of the Uniform Board’s determinations, only three sources of ball caps for Auxiliarists are authorized: the Coast Guard Auxiliary Center (AUXCEN), the Coast Guard Uniform Distribution Center (UDC), and the Coast Guard Exchange System (CGES).
(2) The standard Auxiliary ball cap worn by Auxiliarists shall conform to the provisions of ALCOAST 291/11 that deal with material, circumstances for wear, and general appearance.
(3) Oak leaves and acorns (aka, scrambled eggs) will no longer be authorized for wear on any ball cap worn by Auxiliarists as of December 31, 2012.
(4) Insignia wear and markings on the standard Auxiliary ball cap shall remain as otherwise prescribed in the Auxiliary Manual.
b. Liners: The Foul Weather Parka FWP liner or other liners are not authorized as a standalone jacket.
c. Women’s Uniform Items:
(1) The tiara is not authorized as an optional item for women’s dress uniforms.
(2) Pumps are an optional item for women’s dress uniforms and shall be worn in accordance with provisions of the Auxiliary Manual.
#
