To:   ALAUX
From: CHDIRAUX
Subj: AUXILIARY UNIFORM MATTERS -007/08

1.  ALCOAST message 056/08 of February 6, 2008 announced results of the
recent Coast Guard Uniform Board 42 (UB42).  Past National Commodore Henry
G. Pratt, III served as the Auxiliary representative to UB42.

2.  Since the ALCOAST was issued, several questions have been asked about
certain Auxiliary uniform matters.  Having worked with the Coast Guard's
Uniform Systems Manager (CG-1221A) and Auxiliary National leadership, the
following guidance addresses these matters for Auxiliarists: 

a.  Prior Military Service Insignia.  One of UB42's determinations
was that Coast Guard personnel are not authorized to wear prior military
service insignia if not earned while in the Coast Guard (i.e. - a prior
service Army officer who now serves in the Coast Guard cannot wear his/her
combat infantry badge on Coast Guard uniforms).  This determination does not
apply to Auxiliarists, therefore provisions in the Auxiliary Manual
regarding Auxiliarists' wear of prior military service insignia other than
Coast Guard still apply.

b.  ODUs.    

(1)  Active duty personnel are authorized to use Velcro to
fasten name tapes and "U.S. Coast Guard" tapes over their right and left
breast pockets, respectively.  This authorization is granted because of the
likelihood and frequency of their involvement in direct law enforcement
operations.  It does not apply to Auxiliarists. 

(2)  Active duty personnel are required to wear sew-on rank
insignia on their collars.  Such a requirement could pose a considerable
personal funding impact on some Auxiliarists who frequently encounter
situations in which it is more appropriate to wear the Auxiliary membership
insignia rather than elected/appointed office insignia (i.e. - necessitating
multiple ODU tops that have Auxiliary office insignia and the Auxiliary
membership insignia sewn-on).  This potential impact must be balanced
against the requirement to maintain a clean, professional uniform appearance
at all times.  Accordingly, Auxiliarists who frequently encounter situations
in which it is more appropriate to wear the Auxiliary membership insignia
rather than elected/appointed office insignia are authorized to use Velcro
to fasten sew-on insignia to the collar as an option to actually sewing them
to the collar.  This authorization remains in effect through January 2009.
A final determination of permanency or revocation of this authorization will
be made in February 2009.

(3)  Metal collar insignia are still authorized for
Auxiliarists until sew-on standards are developed (this is not expected
until the summer season, 2008).  When sew-on standards are developed and
stocks produced, then metal collar insignia will no longer be authorized for
wear on Auxiliary ODU tops. 

(4)  The sew-on Auxiliary coxswain insignia is still the
only qualification insignia authorized to be sewn on the ODU top (metal
qualification insignia are not authorized for wear).  Sew-on standards for
other Auxiliary qualification insignia are being developed and will be
authorized for wear when stocks are produced.  Sew-on insignia from prior
military service other than the Coast Guard are not authorized to be worn on
Auxiliary ODUs (or any other Auxiliary uniform). 

3.     The purpose of this list is to keep Auxiliarists as well as all other
interested parties abreast of current developments, policies, manuals, etc.
All information contained herein and linked is OFFICIAL policy and
information.

4.     Internet Release and Distribution is Authorized.

5.     CG-542, sends