Changes to the Coast Guard Auxiliary Uniform Code

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Changes to the Coast Guard Auxiliary Uniform Code

• Kathryn Katey Bernstein
• Connie Walters

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ALCOAST 291/11 COMDTNOTE 1020

• SUBJ HONORING OUR PROFESSION
• UNIFORM GUIDANCE AND RESULTS OF UNIFORM BOARD NO.
  44 A. AUXILIARY MANUAL, COMDTINST M16790.1
  (SERIES) B.
• UNIFORM REGULATIONS, COMDTINST M1020.6 (SERIES)
  C.
• MARITIME LAW ENFORCEMENT MANUAL, COMDTINST
  M16247.1 (SERIES)

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ALCOAST 291/11 COMDTNOTE 1020

• THE COAST GUARD UNIFORM IS A SYMBOL OF OUR UNIQUE
  HERITAGE AS AN ARMED SERVICE AND MUST ALWAYS
  REFLECT THE PRIDE WE SHARE AS COAST GUARDSMEN.
• COMMON CONFIGURATION AND UNIFORMITY ARE CORE TO
  MAINTAINING A PROFESSIONAL MILITARY APPEARANCE
  BOTH INDIVIDUALLY AND AS AN ORGANIZATION.
• IT IS FIRST AND FOREMOST, THE MEMBERS
  RESPONSIBILITY TO ALWAYS LOOK SHARP IAW UNIFORM
  STANDARDS.

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UNIFORM APPEARANCE IS A LEADERSHIP PRIORITY.

• LEADERS ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR ENSURING PERSONNEL
  WEAR UNIFORMS WITH CONSISTENCY, PROFESSIONALISM,
  AND PRIDE.
• UNDER THE COMMANDANTS GUIDING PRINCIPLE OF
  HONORING OUR PROFESSION, IN THE MONTHS AHEAD THE
  UNIFORM BOARD WILL UNDERTAKE AN EFFORT TO TIGHTEN
  UP UNIFORM STANDARDS AND FIND WAYS TO PROMOTE
  CONSISTENCY IN OUR UNIFORM REGULATIONS.

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Changes to Auxiliary uniform policies

• 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.

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Changes to Auxiliary uniform policies

• 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

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THE COAST GUARD HAS FOUR BASIC UNIFORMS THAT MAKE
UP THE UNIFORM OF THE DAY
FOUR BASIC UNIFORMS

• TROPICAL BLUE UNIFORM (TBL)
• OPERATIONAL DRESS UNIFORM (ODU)
• SERVICE DRESS BLUE (SDB)
• WINTER DRESS BLUE (WDB)

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Tropical Blue uniform
9
Tropical Blue uniform

• G.9. Tropical Blue (Long)
  This uniform may be worn instead of the Service
  Dress Blue (Bravo) uniform, except when a coat
  and tie are more appropriate.
• 
  G.9.a. Trousers
• Trousers shall be the same as those prescribed
  for Service Dress Blue uniform.
• G.9.b. Belt
  A black web belt with a silver buckle
  and tip is worn. The buckle may be plain or
  display the Auxiliary emblem.

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Tropical Blue uniform

• G.9.c. Shirt
  The light blue Air Force style
  short sleeve shirt with a stand-up collar with
  stays and epaulets is worn. With this shirt, the
  collar is worn open, without a tie.
• G.9.d. Socks
  Socks shall be black, made of
  knitted or rib knit, undecorated material.

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Tropical Blue Uniform

• G.9.e. Shoes
  Shoes shall be black, with heels, made of
  smooth leather or a synthetic material. Shoes
  shall be low cut of plain style without
  decoration. There shall be no stitching or seams
  across the toe. Heels shall be no higher than 1
  inch. Sole edges, heels and laces must be black.
  
• G.9.f. Insignia
  Enhanced shoulder boards are worn on
  the epaulet style shirt.
• G.9.g. Breast Insignia/Devices
  Name tag, ribbons, and qualification
  devices are worn.

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Tropical Blue Uniform

• (1) May be worn year-round for appropriate
  assignments to duty. It may be worn in lieu of
  the Service Dress Blue,
• 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.

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Tropical Blue Uniform

• (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.

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Tropical Blue Uniform

• (4) The 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.

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Operational Dress Uniform (ODU)
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Operational Dress Uniform (ODU)

• H.4.a. Trousers ODU
  trousers bloused with boots, straight with deck
  shoes are worn.
• H.4.b Belt
  A black web belt with subdued black
  open-faced buckle is worn.
• H.4.c. Shirt
  Coast Guard blue ODU top with sleeves rolled up
  accordion style, with only the cuff showing or
  down.
• H.4.d. Socks
  Socks should be black, undecorated.

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Operational Dress Uniform (ODU)

• H.4.e. Shoes
  Shoe/boot, high top black lace up
  or
• The optional boat shoe (dark brown leather) low
  cut shoe of moccasin type construction with
  functional rawhide lacing, brass eyelets, and
  non-marking sole may be worn.
• H.4.f. Insignia
  Sew-on collar devices are
  worn.
• H.4.g. Breast Insignia/Devices
  Cloth nametape with USCG AUXILIARY is sewn
  above left pocket. Direct embroidery on shirts
  not authorized.

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Operational Dress Uniform (ODU)

• H.4.h. Hat
• A unit baseball cap with metal or sew-on
  collar devices
• Or
• A knit watch cap (cold weather only) may be
  worn with this uniform.

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Operational Dress Uniform (New ODU)

• (1) May be worn year-round primarily as a field
  utility and watchstanding uniform, and may be
  worn in an office environment.

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Operational Dress Uniform (New ODU)

• (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 equivalent
  uniform of the day.

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Operational Dress Uniform (New ODU)

• 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.

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Operational Dress Uniform (New ODU)

• 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.
• It 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.

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Operational Dress Uniform (New ODU)

• (3) Prescribed outer wear with the ODU is the
  Foul Weather Parka with the standard Auxiliary
  ball cap, a 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.

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Operational Dress Uniform (New ODU)

• (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.

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Operational Dress Uniform (New ODU)

• The boat shoe (dark blue or brown leather, low
  cut of moccasin type construction with functional
  rawhide lacing, brass eyelets, and nonmarking
  sole) is an authorized option for Auxiliarists,
  regardless of type ODU that is worn (regular or
  Hot Weather Uniform).

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Operational Dress Uniform (Relaxed ODU)

• (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.

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Operational Dress Uniform (Relaxed ODU)

• The T shirt 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.

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Operational Dress Uniform (Relaxed ODU)

• The relaxed ODU 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.

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Operational Dress Uniform (ODU)

• (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.

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Hot Weather Uniform (New ODU)

• (1) Though no longer authorized for active duty
  personnel,
• The Hot Weather Uniform remains authorized for
  Auxiliary wear.

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Hot Weather Uniform (New ODU)

• (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.

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Hot Weather Uniform (New ODU)

• 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 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.

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Hot Weather Uniform (New ODU)

• 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.

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ALCOAST 291/11

• Also conveyed the Coast Guard Uniform Boards
  concern about several other items, as addressed

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Ball Caps

• (1) In support of the Uniform Boards
  determinations, only three sources of ball caps
  for Auxiliarists are authorized
• Coast Guard Auxiliary Center (AUXCEN),
• Coast Guard Uniform Distribution Center (UDC)
• Coast Guard Exchange System (CGES).

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Ball Caps

• (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.

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Ball Caps

• (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

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Ball Caps

• (4) Insignia wear and markings on the standard
  Auxiliary ball cap shall remain as otherwise
  prescribed in the Auxiliary Manual.

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The Foul Weather Parka FWP liner

• Liners are not authorized as a standalone jacket.

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• Both Men and Women

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Men and Women Nails

• Men and women shall keep their nails clean.
• Women may wear nail polish, but the color shall
  be conservative and neutral in color. Decorative
  nail art is not authorized while in uniform

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Eyewear Men and Women

• Frame and lens styles will be conservative and in
  good taste.
• Mirrored lenses are prohibited while in uniform.
  

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Hair Men and Women

• The goal is for mens hair to be neat and clean,
  not touch the collar, and be away from the ears.
• Womens hair should not be below the collar or
  extend below the eyebrows when the hat is
  removed.

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Miscellaneous Articles

• Many articles should not be worn or carried
  exposed on the uniform.
• These articles include pencils, pens, watch
  chains or fobs, pins, handkerchiefs, combs,
  cigarettes, cigars, pipes and similar items.

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• Women Only

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Womens Uniform Items

• (1) The tiara is not authorized as an optional
  item for womens dress uniforms.
• (2) Pumps are an optional item for womens dress
  uniforms and shall be worn in accordance with
  provisions of the Auxiliary Manual.

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Womens Uniform Items Skirts and Handbags

• Skirts
  Except for formal
  uniforms, a female skirt hemline will be no
  higher than the crease in the back of the knee
  nor lower than 2 inches below the crease.
• Handbags
  Womens handbags may be carried in the
  hand or worn over the shoulder with the strap.
  Women may shorten the strap and carry the handbag
  over the arm.

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Womens Uniform Items Rings and bracelets

• Members in uniform may wear personal display
  items such as
• bracelets, necklaces, wristwatches, ID bracelets
  and rings.
• If visible while in uniform, these items must be
  conservative, non-controversial, and in good
  taste.

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Womens Uniform Items Rings and bracelets

• There shall be no more than two rings on each
  hand.
• Eccentricities in color and manner of wear (for
  example, rings on every finger) shall not be worn
  when in uniform.

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Womens Uniform Items Earrings

• Women may wear one pair of gold, silver, or pearl
  earrings which should be small (max. ¼ inch) and
  of the round ball style.
• Women may wear diamond stud earrings (max ¼ inch)
  with the Dinner Dress uniforms.
• Dangling and hoop earrings are prohibited while
  in uniform.

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Womens Uniform Items jewelry

• No articles, jewelry, or studs other than those
  specified for women shall be through or attached
  to the ear, nose, tongue, or any other visible
  body part while in uniform.

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Womens cosmetics

• Womens cosmetics shall be of conservative color
  and worn in good taste.
• Eccentricities in color and manner of wear shall
  not be worn while in uniform..

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• Men Only

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Men Uniform items Necklaces Chains, earrings
and suspenders

• Necklaces and neck chains must not be visible
  when wearing the uniform.
• Suspenders may be worn under coats and jackets,
  which prevent the suspenders from being exposed.
  
• In uniform, men are prohibited from wearing
  earrings.

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Facial Hair MEN

• Beards, sideburns, or mustaches if worn, shall be
  well groomed and neatly trimmed at all times in
  order not to present a ragged appearance. No
  portion of a mustache will extend below the
  lipline of the upper lip.
• Handlebar mustaches or other eccentric styles are
  not appropriate while in uniform.

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Facial Hair Men

• Full and partial beards, van dykes, and goatees
  are authorized. In uniform, patches and spotty
  clumps of facial hair are not considered beards
  and are not authorized.
• The bulk of the beard (distance that the mass of
  facial hair protrudes from the skin on the face)
  shall not exceed 1 inch.

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Service Dress Blue (SDB) uniform
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Service Dress Blue (SDB) uniform
G.3. Service Dress Blue (Bravo) The Service
Dress Blue (Bravo) uniform is the official
Uniform of the Day appropriate for wear at all
meetings, in classrooms, and at all other similar
functions. (see Figure 10-20) G.3.a. Service
Dress Coast Guard Blue Blouse The coat is the
standard Coast Guard officers blouse. The four
gold Coast Guard buttons on the patch pockets
closures, are replaced with four small silver
Auxiliary buttons. The four gold Coast Guard
buttons down the forepart are replaced with four
large silver Auxiliary buttons. Air Force coats
or blouses will not be worn with the Coast Guard
Auxiliary uniform.
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Service Dress Blue (SDB) Bravo uniform

• G.3.b. Trousers
• The trousers shall be of conventional plain
  design with no cuff and of the same material and
  color as the coat. Air Force trousers will not be
  worn with the Coast Guard Auxiliary uniform.
• G.3.c. Belt
• A black web belt with a silver buckle and tip is
  worn. The buckle may be plain or display the
  Auxiliary emblem.
• G.3.d. Shirt
• The shirt is the Air Force style shirt with a
  soft stand-up collar with stays, long or short
  sleeves, one button convertible cuff, epaulets
  and a patch pocket with button flap closure on
  each breast.

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Service Dress Blue (SDB) Bravo uniform

• G.3.f. Socks
• A Coast Guard Blue four-in-hand tie of
  suitable length is worn. Clip-on types are
  optional.
• G.3.f. Socks Socks shall be
  black, made of knitted or rib knit, undecorated
  material.
• G.3.g. Shoes Shoes shall
  be black, with heels, made of smooth leather or a
  synthetic material. Shoes shall be low cut of
  plain style without decoration. There shall be no
  stitching or seams across the toe. Heels shall be
  no higher than 1 inch. Sole edges, heels, and
  laces must be black.

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Service Dress Blue (SDB) Bravo uniform

• G.3.h. Insignia
• 
  Appropriate silver sleeve lace
  mounted by the appropriate Auxiliary shield is
  worn on the coat sleeves and soft or enhanced
  shoulder boards are worn on the shirt.
• G.3.i. Breast Insignia/Devices
• 
  This uniform is
  worn with ribbons, breast insignia, qualification
  devices, and name tag

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Prescribed outer wear (New)

• 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.

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The windbreaker (New)

• 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.

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Dinner Dress Blue
G.6. Dinner Dress Blue
The Dinner Dress
Blue uniform is worn for formal evening occasions
when the Auxiliarist does not have Dinner Dress
Blue or White jacket. It is the same as the
Service Dress Blue, except miniature medals,
miniature breast devices, and a plain black bow
tie are worn instead of ribbons, name tag, and
the four-in-hand necktie. The AUXOP and past
officer devices, for which there are no
miniatures, are also worn.
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Winter Dress Blue (WDB) uniform
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Winter Dress Blue (WDB) uniform

• G.8. Winter Dress Blue
  This winter uniform may
  be worn instead of the Service Dress Blue (Bravo)
  uniform, except when a coat and tie are more
  appropriate. (see Figure 10-24)
• G.8.a. Trousers
  Trousers shall be the same as
  those prescribed for the Service Dress Blue
  uniform.
• G.8.b. Belt
  A black web belt
  with a silver buckle and tip is worn. The buckle
  may be plain or display an approved Auxiliary
  emblem.

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Winter Dress Blue (WDB) uniform

• G.8.c. Shirt
  A long sleeve, Coast Guard
  blue winter shirt that matches the color and
  material of the trousers is worn.
• G.8.d. Tie
  A Coast Guard blue
  four-in-hand tie of suitable length is worn.
  Clip-on types are optional.
• G.8.e. Socks
  Socks shall be black, made of
  knitted or rib knit, undecorated material.

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Winter Dress Blue (WDB) uniform

• G.8.f. Shoes
  Shoes shall be black, with heels, made of smooth
  leather or a synthetic material. Shoes shall be
  low cut of plain style without decoration.
• G.8.g. Insignia
  Metal collar devices are worn.
• G.8.h. Breast Insignia/Devices Name
  tag, ribbons and qualification devices are worn.
  

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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 Service
  Dress Blue
• But not to functions where civilian dress is coat
  and tie.

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Winter Dress Blue (WDB) uniform

• (2) Authorized for wear in a travel status
  pursuant to Coast Guard assignment to duty.
• (3) Prescribed outer wear with the Winter Dress
  Blue are
• The windbreaker, bridge coat, or trench coat with
  garrison cap or combination cap
• Ball caps of any type are not authorized for wear
  
• 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.

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Winter Dress Blue (WDB) uniform

• (4) The Foul Weather Parka 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.

72
Winter Dress Blue (WDB) uniform

• (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.