Just graduated from Cape May on Friday, left as a Seaman with orders to Station Gloucester.
The question I have is this. My younger brother's college graduation is on May 17th. Since I'll be around doing hometown recruiting at that time, my mother wanted to know if I could wear my Bravo or Trops to the graduation. I guess my parents are kind of proud of the fact that I'm a Coastie or something, they're wearing Coast Guard apparel everywhere showing off that they've got a son in the Coast Guard. Who'da thunk it?
Anyway, what I recall from my class on OPSEC and identification security, uniforms are not to be worn when using public transportation to and from duty stations, that we have to change out into civvy clothing to avoid being tagged as a member of the military. I don't recall a regulation saying we could not wear our military uniform to a college graduation, and since we're driving there, no public transportation is being utilized. Basically, our CC's always said that if it feels wrong, don't do it. Part of this feels wrong, but I'm still a stinkin' non-rate, and figured I should ask before making a firm decision.
I'm of two minds on the issue. First of, I don't think any claim could be made against wearing the uniform. CIM 1020 6E is the manual you want to look at. The Table under 1.B.2 "When the Uniform is Optional or Prohibited" is your best bet. If you're on liberty, you have the option of wearing your uniform, providing you look good and aren't doing anything prohibited in uniform.
However, if I had the opportunity to go to my twin brother's graduation next month, I wouldn't go in uniform. In a wedding, the bridesmaids don't wear white; it takes the attention away from the bride on her special day. I can imagine how my brother would feel if it was his special graduation day and my parents were all wearing CG stuff with me in my uniform, it seems like they would be more excited about me than him. (Then again, my dad seems to wear his USCGA hat wherever he goes these days...) Just a personal preference though, if your brother wants you to, I'd say go for it.
As a side note; it seems like you OPSEC instructor was ... very thorough... about possible dangers. However, the uniform manuals state in multiple places that uniforms can be worn both in daily travel to work (with short stops) and while on official orders. As with most security, the key is being aware of your surroundings.
I see your point. The surroundings will be St. Lawrence University in Canton, NY, a couple hours from the Canadian border as far up in NY as you can go. Not much to worry about there as far as I know.
Other than that, I don't think it would violate OPSEC, I'm just worried I wouldn't be authorized to wear it. I'll check the link you posted later today though.
As for taking the attention off my brother, that's another good point. My parents and family won't be wearing Coast Guard apparel at his graduation, they'll be wearing St. Lawrence apparel, showing they're proud of him graduating. I guess I should call him and ask if he wants me there in uniform or not, probably the most responsible action to take.
I went to my sisters college graduation last month and the thought of wearing any uniform never even crossed my mind. I would say no for a variety of reasons, some which are listed above.
Congratulations on your completion of recruit training and your orders to STA G-town. I was born and raised in the GLO. Stay out of trouble at fiesta in june . hehe
Good points all, and to black_hull_coastie, I'll be sure to be careful. I turned 25 while I was in Cape May though, so I don't think I'll have that problem. I'm already an old man.
I guess it doesn't make much sense to attend my brother's graduation in uniform, it would steal his thunder, as much as my mom would love it. My decision is made. Simple ****.
If you're doing hometown Recruiting, what better way than to show the CG in it's best light? You are there supporting your brother, it won't steal his thunder as you won't be on the stage, just in the audience.
Ask your LPO at the Rec office and see what they say. Don't miss up a chance to share the CG to those who might be interested...HS grads.
OK, slightly off the question here, but if nobody else is going to say it, wearing of a uniform has absoloutly nothing, NADA, ZIP, ZERO to so with OPSEC. OPSEC is OPERATIONAL SECURITY. It is not FORCE PROTECTION. If you are commuting to work in Bagdad or San Francisco, it might be a personnal safety concern. Otherwise, there should be NO ISSUE of wearing a uniform on public transportation. Just follow the standards.
Great points about possibly stealing thunder in different situations.
Anyone who's ever visited the DC area will note the hundreds of military uniforms on the metro, many of which are O-6s. There's no OPSEC issue with wearing of the uniform in public. As a matter of fact, I wish more people would wear their uniforms in public, as was commonplace back in the '40s. Theres nothing wrong with being proud of your uniform.
I had a military wedding, whites, swords, all that. My friends who weren't in the ceremony still came in uniform. Some of my in-laws friends who were long since retired came in thier various mess dress uniforms. Everyone thought it was great.
I too am from the G-LO haha age doesn't matter when Fiesta rolls around for us locals it seems as though the law stops for those few days and the times get pretty wild. I haven't been to Fiesta since I joined the Guard a few years ago but man I miss those times. Anyway congrats on the orders you'll stay pretty busy with the local fisherman needing to get saved and boardings keeping the squam river safe from drunk boaters heading to Wingaersheek for some brewskis on the weekend. I know my friends will be out there giving the Coast Guard a hard time haha. Just keep away from the local dive bars where the fisherman congregate and stick to the Harbor House or Latitudes and you'll have a good time.
I too am from the G-LO haha age doesn't matter when Fiesta rolls around for us locals it seems as though the law stops for those few days and the times get pretty wild. I haven't been to Fiesta since I joined the Guard a few years ago but man I miss those times. Anyway congrats on the orders you'll stay pretty busy with the local fisherman needing to get saved
Good info. I figure there has to be at least some tension between the Coasties and the fisheries, particularly in terms of quotas and such things. Probably isn't smart as a Coastie walking into a fisherman's bar and saying, "Hey, how's it hangin'?" I value my *** not being beaten to a bloody pulp.
. hehe
