Auxiliarists wear essentially the same uniform as Coast Guard officers.  Auxiliary insignia and buttons are different, with active duty Coast Guard having gold insignia while the Auxiliary uses silver insignia. You'll sometimes hear the terms "gold side" and "silver side" used to refer to active duty and Auxiliary. It is important to wear the uniforms properly.  It is important to know and follow proper courtesy and protocol...link such as saluting Coast Guard officers and saluting the National Ensign and the Officer of the Day (OOD) when going aboard a Coast Guard vessel.  We'll talk later about training opportunities where you can take a class on military courtesies.

 

The (1) Operational Dress Uniform (ODU), (2) Tropical Blue, and (3) Dress Blue are the three uniforms routinely worn by the Auxiliary, and just the first two need be obtained initially. The ODU is sturdy dark blue work clothes.  Name tags and other insignia are made of cloth as a safety feature.  Boots are usually worn although Auxiliarists can wear boat shoes when they are working on private boats.  The Tropical Blue uniform is worn in an office or training situation.  It has dark blue slacks (skirt optional) and a light blue blouse.  The Dress Blue uniform is rather like a suit and tie and is worn for more formal occasions such as change-of-watch ceremonies.  If you don't yet have Dress Blues, you can in fact wear a suit and tie (or equivalent).

 

Here are some useful pictures...link of Coast Guard Uniforms. There is also a good article on uniforms in the Coast Guard Reserve Magazine.  Just remember to change the buttons and insignia from gold to silver.  If you have gone to a few Auxiliary activities, you will have actually seen ODUs and Tropical Blues and have a good idea of what you need.  When you go on your first shopping trip to Coast Guard Island, take someone with you who knows their way around and has an Auxiliary ID card.  The first stop is the "Lucky Bag" (hours Monday and Wednesday 1030-1300).  When people leave active duty, they often turn in surplus uniforms at the Lucky Bag.  If you are lucky, you can find much of your uniforms at very attractive prices.  The second stop is the Exchange where you can purchase ODUs, Tropical Blues, and steel-toed boots.  The last stop is Dee Bee's Tailors next to the Exchange, where in addition to tailoring you can get belts, an Auxiliary baseball cap to go with the ODUs, a plastic name tag to go with the Tropical Blues, and Auxiliary insignia.  Here you can have the cloth tapes with your name and "USCG Auxiliary" made and sewn onto the ODU blouse.

 

If you don't live in the Bay Area you will probably have to get your uniforms by mail.  Ask other people in your flotilla where they got their uniforms.  Sometimes a flotilla will have some uniform items that have been turned in by other members.  Some other sources for these items are Shop Auxiliary...link, District 7 Store...link, and District 11NR Store.

Operational Dress Uniform (ODU)  (Men and Women)	Tropical Blue Uniform   (A skirt is optional for women.)