Why the Auxiliary should reflect the Gold Side when it comes to uniforms. I have been a member of the CG Aux for about 3 years. I worked hard to get Boat Crew, then Coxswain and have my own Facility. I spend a lot of time on the water working for and with the Gold Side. This has cost me a lot of money to buy uniforms, and get my Facility equipped. Money well spent. I have found that this is the Best under paid job I ever had. I get the Honor of working with and beside the CG to help with Team Cost Guard. Team is the key word. As a team member we should look like we are a team. That is why we should reflect the Gold Side when it comes to uniforms. I know when I am working beside a Gold Side member they look at me as part of the team. And I should look that part. If you do not want to take pride in the way you look, and Honor the Gold Side. Then join the Power Squadron. A great group and No Uniforms. As a US Marine I know what a team should look like. I take the same pride wearing my CG Aux uniform as I did my Marine uniform.
I strongly agree. Coming from a strong military family, I was raised with high standards and while my Dad is fighting for our freedoms, I want to look my best and even though auxiliary, represent the Armed Forces to the best of my ability and not take the uniform for granted. I think it makes the entire Coast Guard look bad when people don't wear the uniform propperly and disgraces the nation. I had a floatilla member tell me last meeting that in my unit people can get away with wearing an ODU shirt and jeans. Now that's just wrong! If you can't afford the whole uniform, then wear civilian clothes!
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Originally posted by SgtBroomfield: Why the Auxiliary should reflect the Gold Side when it comes to uniforms. I have been a member of the CG Aux for about 3 years. I worked hard to get Boat Crew, then Coxswain and have my own Facility. I spend a lot of time on the water working for and with the Gold Side. This has cost me a lot of money to buy uniforms, and get my Facility equipped. Money well spent. I have found that this is the Best under paid job I ever had. I get the Honor of working with and beside the CG to help with Team Cost Guard. Team is the key word. As a team member we should look like we are a team. That is why we should reflect the Gold Side when it comes to uniforms. I know when I am working beside a Gold Side member they look at me as part of the team. And I should look that part. If you do not want to take pride in the way you look, and Honor the Gold Side. Then join the Power Squadron. A great group and No Uniforms. As a US Marine I know what a team should look like. I take the same pride wearing my CG Aux uniform as I did my Marine uniform.
Originally posted by SgtBroomfield: Why the Auxiliary should reflect the Gold Side when it comes to uniforms. I have been a member of the CG Aux for about 3 years. I worked hard to get Boat Crew, then Coxswain and have my own Facility. I spend a lot of time on the water working for and with the Gold Side. This has cost me a lot of money to buy uniforms, and get my Facility equipped. Money well spent. I have found that this is the Best under paid job I ever had. I get the Honor of working with and beside the CG to help with Team Cost Guard. Team is the key word. As a team member we should look like we are a team. That is why we should reflect the Gold Side when it comes to uniforms. I know when I am working beside a Gold Side member they look at me as part of the team. And I should look that part. If you do not want to take pride in the way you look, and Honor the Gold Side. Then join the Power Squadron. A great group and No Uniforms. As a US Marine I know what a team should look like. I take the same pride wearing my CG Aux uniform as I did my Marine uniform.
Originally posted by SgtBroomfield: Why the Auxiliary should reflect the Gold Side when it comes to uniforms. I have been a member of the CG Aux for about 3 years. I worked hard to get Boat Crew, then Coxswain and have my own Facility. I spend a lot of time on the water working for and with the Gold Side. This has cost me a lot of money to buy uniforms, and get my Facility equipped. Money well spent. I have found that this is the Best under paid job I ever had. I get the Honor of working with and beside the CG to help with Team Cost Guard. Team is the key word. As a team member we should look like we are a team. That is why we should reflect the Gold Side when it comes to uniforms. I know when I am working beside a Gold Side member they look at me as part of the team. And I should look that part. If you do not want to take pride in the way you look, and Honor the Gold Side. Then join the Power Squadron. A great group and No Uniforms. As a US Marine I know what a team should look like. I take the same pride wearing my CG Aux uniform as I did my Marine uniform.
It's about damn time someone posted something on uniforms other than accusations of impersonations, wannabeism, and the resulting shame you should feel for wearing the uniform that the members are *told* to wear....
Sorry. You want to look like an member of the USCG then join. If you can't or won't then you should wear a auxiliary specific uniform.
I understand that at this point you don't have much choice but as the uniforms that are authorized are USCG uniforms. If it were up to me (and its not) there would be a uniform and insignia specific to the Coast Guard Auxilliary.
Sorry. You want to look like an member of the USCG then join. If you can't or won't then you should wear a auxiliary specific uniform.
Two sides to every discussion. I agree with rvacoast on this one.
This position is due to the preponderance of Dunlap's Disease* in the Auxiliary. If you present the trim, military appearance that the AuxMan requires, then yes, wear the A/D uniform. If your beer gut looks like it needs a wheelbarrow to haul it around, then, no. You should not try to impersonate a CG officer.
Robert Carr
* Dunlap's Disease = My belly done lapped over my belt.
rvacoast Sorry. You want to look like an member of the USCG then join. If you can't or won't then you should wear a auxiliary specific uniform. No need to be sorry, or No need to join USCG. Just do what the rules say for the CG Aux. Not that hard. Be part of the TEAM or stay home. The Gold Side makes the rules so maybe you should join the USCG and try to change them.
As an old Marine, I still prefer that my ODUs are heavy starch and creased sharp enough to shave with. I believe this in contravention of policy but them's the breaks.
Hmmm...so you find it appropriate to brag that your uniform is in conflict with policy? And you wonder why people would rather have you any something different?
And SgtBroomfild, I am in the Coast Guard. I get to wear a uniform because I signed my life to the military. I would never dream of putting on Marine BDU's or an Air Force office uniform and will put my uniform up for good when I leave the guard.
I find it amazing that so many posts in the Aux section always seem to degrade so quickly. No matter what the topic the will eventually end in Active/Reservist/Self-Loathing Aux members talking down Aux members who are proud about their service. Yes I said service and not volunteering because there is a difference.
What is the real problem here? I think its great that the CG has an Aux branch. I wish the other services did also. I would love to spend time in a Naval Aux flotilla if one existed.
These people make use of their own time, money, equipment for the betterment of the CG and more importantly the greatest Nation ever yet many of you still feel the need to point out every issue with them over and over. Its kind of sad really!
I want to thank the CG Auxiliary members for their service that seems to be done under very hostile conditions!
Originally posted by rvacoast: Hmmm...so you find it appropriate to brag that your uniform is in conflict with policy? And you wonder why people would rather have you any something different?
Huh?
At any rate, when I wear the working blue or the ODU uniform in public I prefer that it be professionally maintained. Perhaps "out of the dryer and on your back" is appropriate for doing PT, changing the oil, mowing the lawn or being at sea. All well and good. We spend an inordinate amount of time in the public eye. Since the working uniforms are allowed in these scenarios I believe that individuals have not only the responsibility but the right to look as good as possible. Just because the bar is set low doesn't mean everyone should trip over it.
You do not "serve" in the USCGA, you volunteer. Thats a fact. I have no problem with the Coast Guard Auxiliary, in fact I truly appreciate what they do. That said there is a difference. I did not "serve" in the boy scouts even though I payed dues, bought uniforms, and put in many, many volunteer hours. This is not an auxie bash. I am simply of the opinion that the USCGA and the US Coast Guard should have seperate and distinct uniforms.
You do not "serve" in the USCGA, you volunteer. Thats a fact. I have no problem with the Coast Guard Auxiliary, in fact I truly appreciate what they do. That said there is a difference. I did not "serve" in the boy scouts even though I payed dues, bought uniforms, and put in many, many volunteer hours. This is not an auxie bash. I am simply of the opinion that the USCGA and the US Coast Guard should have seperate and distinct uniforms.
Your comparing the Boy Scouts to the Aux? I was a BS and this was not service in the same way as the AUX is. I still call what the Aux does service and the way people talk about them on here will put off prospective members.
I would agree with you on the uniform thing though. Maybe they should go back to the Sailors uniform and not the Air Force one? I also think they should have a distinctive ranking system.
I would be willing to bet that even with a uniform change there would still be the degrading talk. I could be wrong but I believe the constant Aux bashing that goes on here has more to do with the bashers than the bashies!
The USPS has about 8 uniforms, including a Blue Blazer. However, most members do not wear them.
I think its great that the CG has an Aux branch. I wish the other services did also.
For the record, the Civil Air Patrol (CAP) is by law, the Auxiliary of the US Air Force. There is much arguing on CAP boards about their "Aux On/Aux Off" status when it comes to missions. And CAPers argue about uniforms, appearance and weight standards even more then Auxies do. CAP even has two uniform 'sets', the USAF set and the CAP Corporate Uniform. The latter for the Infamous "old, fat, bald guys" and they still argue over both sets.
Just curious, what's your definition of serving vs. volunteering?
Can you not (be a) volunteer AND serve?
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Originally posted by rvacoast: Independence,
You do not "serve" in the USCGA, you volunteer. Thats a fact. I have no problem with the Coast Guard Auxiliary, in fact I truly appreciate what they do. That said there is a difference. I did not "serve" in the boy scouts even though I payed dues, bought uniforms, and put in many, many volunteer hours. This is not an auxie bash. I am simply of the opinion that the USCGA and the US Coast Guard should have seperate and distinct uniforms.
Originally posted by rvacoast: Sorry. You want to look like an member of the USCG then join. If you can't or won't then you should wear a auxiliary specific uniform.
I understand that at this point you don't have much choice but as the uniforms that are authorized are USCG uniforms. If it were up to me (and its not) there would be a uniform and insignia specific to the Coast Guard Auxilliary.
FYI, aux uniforms >>>are<<< aux specific, and the aux insignia are even more so. No AD or enlisted CG member would be caught dead wearing aux specific insignia with it's oddball scarlet letter A ......
If we want to get right down to it the difference is that you can quit. As a volunteer you have no legal obligation to go to meetings, stand a watch or take a boat out. You have no goverment mandated grooming standards and you are not force to move. You can hold public office, get your tongue pierced and get tattoos on your hands. If you CO tells you to do something you don't like, then you don't have to. At worst you'll be disenrolled.
I like the auxiliary, but I take exception when anyone tries to equate it to bona fide military service. If you're retired form the military then thanks for your service, but you are no longer serving.
Lastly when a person represents themselves as a member of the USCG by wearing the same (once again I understand that this isn't a member's choice but is directed from people who make more money than I do) uniform and driving the same (or similiarly adorned) boats, but does not have to meet the same level of training nor physical standards then I see a problem.
I like the auxiliary, but I take exception when anyone tries to equate it to bona fide military service. If you're retired form the military then thanks for your service, but you are no longer serving.
Have you ever looked for the expiration date on a retiree's military ID Card? Expiration Date: INDEFINITE
This simply means in the event of a National Emergency, All retiree's that can pass a physical regarless of age are re-called.
I myself don't meet the grooming standards (working on it!), and prefer to do activities that do not require a uniform until I do.
I disagree that just because one can quit, then they aren't serving. I spent two years of my life living in a West African village as a Peace Corps volunteer. Yep, I could technically quit whenever I wanted, but I did sign the papers saying I am making a two-year (plus 3 mos training) commitment.
I would say I was serving...it was the hardest (and most rewarding) thing I have ever done in my life - no running water, no electricity, constantly sick (sometimes seriously with no immediate aid), no communication with any other American (or other westerner for that matter) for weeks at a time, no communication with friends or family back in the states for sometimes two or three months at a time (no phones/email/or snail mail in my or the surrounding villages). I realize those who have been in the military overseas had it worse, but I'd still say that I made some sacrifices! Even the government says I've served: I get retirement credit, non-competitive eligibility, and my years of federal SERVICE dates reflect the two years overseas.
But all I was was a volunteer that could quit at any moment.
I admit I agree with some of your statements about the aux vs. active (including training - any aux who does a comparable job to the gold side should be trained to a comparable standard (or close to it)), but I don't agree with your characterization of a volunteer not serving.
An auxiliarist is serving the needs and requirements of the Coast Guard and the boating public on a volunteer basis.
It may be a different service than you do, but it is still service.
