. 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.
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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).
