A male member of our flotilla asked the question that I thought I'd post to the forum. Is the blue blazer and gray trousers considered uniform
items? Is this the only Auxie uniform that the DHS lapel pin can be worn on? If so which side of the lapel may it be worn on?
(Is there a blue blazer equivalent outfit for women? If so I have never seen it worn by a female.)

I know what it says in the manual but it's not clear to me specifically, can you take any blue blazer and simply attach the Auxie silver buttons to it ordinarily worn on the uniform? Or is the blue blazer suppose to have special buttons on it that are non-Auxie uniform
item buttons?

Also about the Auxie crest to be sewn on the blazer, no one in creation that I know, knows where to get that item from? Or what it looks like? Or what side of the blazer it is suppose to be sewn on?

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"Chapter 10 - Uniforms"

Blue Blazer Outfit:
The blue blazer may be single breasted, two or three button, with civilian or Auxiliary buttons, and with pockets (any kind).
The outfit is ornamented with an Auxiliary patch. Material is dark blue flannel, tropical worsted, or similar commercial blend. The
official blazer patch is round in shape and contains the Auxiliary logo with stars around it. The Auxiliary blue blazer outfit may be
substituted for all Auxiliary uniforms except the undress blue summer and working blue uniforms. It is NOT authorized for wear on patrols, while performing VSCs or on duty at CG units. Auxiliary blue blazer outfits are authorized as follows:

Men's blue blazer outfit:
1) The coat may be worn with white or medium gray trousers. They are made of flannel or tropical worsted material. The trousers are full
cut, straight, hanging without cuffs.

2) A white dress shirt is worn. A dark blue necktie is worn for normal occasions, and black bow tie for formal occasions. Black socks and shoes complete the outfit.

c) Civilian outer garments (topcoats, raincoats etc.) worn with the blue blazer shall match the blazer in general color and style to avoid
garish mismatches."

(Citation: US Coast Guard Auxiliary, Dept of Training, New Member Reference Guide 2001/2 - Chapter 10 Uniforms, page 16)

AuxieM,

Nice to hear from you after a dry spell and you do appear in a pot stirring mode.

First of all, although you wrote:

quote:

I know what it says in the manual

you actually cited the an out-of-date publication. Also a bit of history may be in order since policy changes that the officers did not keep up on may be the source of some of the confusion.

At one time, the Aux Blue Blazer had some very specific restrictions as to the number, size and color of buttons. The number and location of pockets was specified etc. It had to have a single vent back etc.

Pretty much all of that has gone by the boards.

Let us see what the AuxMan 10.E.2. Blue Blazer Outfit says (this does pretty much match up to your cite):

quote:

The Blue Blazer may be single-breasted, two- or three-button, with civilian or Auxiliary buttons, and with pockets (any kind). The Blue Blazer outfit is highly recommended to be worn when an Auxiliarist in uniform does not present an appearance in keeping with organizational standards of wear, or if the UDC does not stock or have properly fitting sizes. (see Section C of this chapter) The Auxiliary patch is sewn on the left breast pocket. Material is dark blue flannel, tropical worsted, or similar commercial blend. The official blazer patch is round and contains the Auxiliary logo with stars around it. The Auxiliary Blue Blazer outfit may be substituted for all Auxiliary uniforms, except the Undress Blue Summer, Working Blue, and OD uniforms. The Auxiliary Blue Blazer outfit may be authorized by unit Commanding Officers for wear in office spaces while on duty at Coast Guard units. Auxiliary Blue Blazer outfits are authorized as follows:

We can take away from that the fact that the number of buttons, size of buttons and even color of buttons no longer matter. The buttons do not have to be the old required Aux buttons nor are they even required to be silver. About the only remaining restriction from the "old days" is it must be single breasted - no double breasted blazers are allowed.

You asked if it was allowed for women. The very next section of the AuxMan is 10.E.2.a. Women’s Blue Blazer Outfit.

It says:

quote:

The Blue Blazer may be worn with white or gray dress slacks, white or gray skirts, pleated or straight. Skirt and slacks are to be made of tropical worsted or polyester blend. Dress slacks are full cut, straight hanging, and without cuffs. Neutral nylon hose and plain unadorned black shoes with 1- to 2⅝-inch high heels complete the outfit. Black socks may be worn with slacks. The blouse is white, buttoned front, of simple design, without ruffles or ornamentation. The blue tab tie is worn for normal occasions and the black tab tie for formal occasions

For completeness AuxMan 10.E.2.b. Men’s Blue Blazer Outfit

quote:

The Blue Blazer may be worn with white or gray dress trousers. They are to be made of tropical worsted or polyester blend. The trousers are full cut, straight hanging and without cuffs. Black socks and black dress shoes complete the outfit. A white dress shirt and a dark blue necktie are worn for normal occasions, and black bow tie for formal occasions.

Going back thru your questions:

Is the blue blazer and gray trousers considered uniform

Obviously yes - it is described in the uni section of the AuxMan.

Is this the only Auxie uniform that the DHS lapel pin can be worn on?

I beleive so. It is not authorized for any other uni. There are also special versions of the member device that have officer stripe 'tags' below the device that can also be worn as lapel pins.

If so which side of the lapel may it be worn on?

That is not specified, but most men's jackets (and my blue blazer) have a button hole in the left lapel for this sort of thing.

Also about the Auxie crest to be sewn on the blazer, no one in creation that I know, knows where to get that item from?

Your district store or Lighthouse Uniform Company

Or what it looks like?

Auxiliary Blazer Patch

Or what side of the blazer it is suppose to be sewn on?

Per the AuxMan, cited above:

quote:

The Auxiliary patch is sewn on the left breast pocket.

However, I would recommend something else. Take a look at the blazer patch page at Lighthouse Uniform. For a modest fee, you can upgrade the patch to a slide pocket mount. This allows you to put the patch on the slide. You then can add/remove the patch at will, so you can use the Blue Blazer for Auxie stuff or regular civilian stuff.

Since I wore my blue blazer for the Aux and the USPS, I had a slide mount for each org and only one blue blazer.

quote:

If so which side of the lapel may it be worn on?

That is not specified, but most men's jackets (and my blue blazer) have a button hole in the left lapel for this sort of thing.

I thought that hole was for the red, white and bender blue carnation we may want to wear. . .


...gjd

In re: Is there a similar dress item for women?
There are several women in this District that wear the blazer and slacks, but with hose and flats. Can't get much more similar than that

ID pins such as the DHS pin you mention are tradionally worn on the left lapel by both men and women. It can be worn on any suite or blazer, it is not restricted to the "blue blazer uniform" as specified in the AuxMan.

I happen to be in DC just now and I was probably the only person in the restaurant at lunch today not wearing some sort of DHS or other FedGov Agency lapel pin on my suite jacket.

BTW, if you wear both a flag pin and a unit pin, the US flag goes on top.

I have never read of nor seen a DHS lapel pin. Is it mentioned in the AUXMAN? Why/when is it worn? What does it look like?

I doubt I would need it. Just curious.

I have never read of nor seen a DHS lapel pin.

I believe it looked like this but in a solid bronze color. I have no connection with the seller of that item. I linked to it for the graphic.

The pin was given to every member of the Aux who was 'present at the creation' of DHS. They also got a ***** WARNING WARNING WILL ROBINSON - DEAD HORSE ALERT - WARNING **** Plank Owners Certificate.

Is it mentioned in the AUXMAN?

It isn't mentioned since it is not an official award.

Why/when is it worn?

Only on civilian clothes and the Blue Blazer Outfit - whenever the owner of the pin feels like it. It is no different in that regard then any other lapel pin you might own.

Never wear your DHS pin at an airport, the TSA people think you're a spy and do even sillier stuff than usual.

Good luck with that- I'm shopping for a sensible women's blazer to fit requirements as we speak. This is why I want to learn how to sew- they get far too fanciful with women's clothes. Be creative if you want to, just provide me with something I can wear with a straight face, please!

quote:

Originally posted by FL51D7:
There are also special versions of the member device that have officer stripe 'tags' below the device that can also be worn as lapel pins.

Do you have a link to these?

quote:

quote:
Originally posted by FL51D7:
There are also special versions of the member device that have officer stripe 'tags' below the device that can also be worn as lapel pins.



Do you have a link to these?

I believe FL is referring to the "civilian lapel pin." I know two places you can find it.

1. On the AUXCEN site, in the Uniform Accessories section, on page 2. You have to go thru the Shop Auxiliary page, click <district materials stores>, and then sign-in.

2. Its also listed on the District 7 online store, under "lapel pins"

Thanks Bosco!

Here's the official DHS patch:

Be advised; the wearing of the blueblazer outfit with ODU boots is restricted to wannabees only!

quote:

Be advised; the wearing of the blueblazer outfit with ODU boots is restricted to wannabees only!

LOL

Also, wearing of the blue blazer outfit with a white belt and a white leather shoes should be avoided unless in D7

ROFLMAO

How about these?

in blue and white, of course.

...gjd

But, at one time quite dapper in the USCG, and I believe still current in the USN.

Holy Great Gatsby, Batman!