I have a uniform question.. I am former active duty now in the aux and I received the coxswain pin while on active duty years ago. For the past few years I've been wearing my active duty coxswain pin on my auxiliary uniform and I thought this was authorized since my ribbons are. Someone recently suggested this might not be the case; any word on this? I see guys wearing air force wings in my flotilla all the time so I figured I was fine...
Another issue arose from the same meeting discussion - if an active duty/reserve coastie is also a simultaneous member of the auxiliary, and earns an auxiliary pin (such as trident or aviator/flight crew), can the coastie wear the aux pin on his active/reserve uniform? One of our guys just got the auxiliary air crew pin but he was told he can't wear it since he wears his active duty uniform to our meetings/events. If he got this while in the CG at the same time does it change anything? Or can he only wear it on his uniform during auxiliary events?
You may wear your Real Coast Guard Coxswain pin on your Auxie uniform. The cite (emphasis added):
AuxMan 10.F.9.k. Other Devices
quote:
Auxiliarists may wear only two breast devices at one time and these are worn on the uniform’s left side only. Breast devices include the following qualification devices: coxswain, aviator, air crew and PWC operator. Other authorized devices include those earned during U.S. military service, such as the combat infantryman and medic badge, aviation wings, Air Force specialty badges, pathfinder, airborne and air assault badges, submariner dolphins, etc. The wearer may select any two and decide their precedence. Auxiliarists wear the first device on the left centered directly above the ribbons or miniature medals. Auxiliarists wear the second device centered on the pocket flap immediately below the ribbons or miniature medals. For example, wearing Auxiliary aviator wings centered on the left, above the ribbons, and an Auxiliary coxswain insignia centered below the ribbons. Sew-on patches, strips, Auxiliary unit designations, honor guard, ranger, special forces, and other cloth patches, not otherwise approved for wear, are not authorized on the Auxiliary uniform.
I would not rely on an Auxie to tell you what a Coastie may wear on his Real Coastie uniform. Most Auxies have trouble with their own rules & regs. I think you should ask (or wait for a response from) a Coastie. But as a guess, you cannot wear anything earned as an Auxie on a Coastie uniform.
The CG UNiform Regulations cover what can be worn on the CG uniform. Auxiliary awards and insignia are not military and not worn. You can download or search the uniform regs here. Manual 1020.6F
Goes back to when the insignia was originally earned. At one time, up to the not so distant past, once earned was all it took to full time wear.
Earned mine in 1972. Wore it until appointed Warrant Officer in 1980 when it had to be removed. Was reinstatet for prior enlisted wear back in the mid - late 80s. Got to wear it for retirement.
I bought a sew-on coxswain device some time ago from Bent Needle and it came in a gold/blue color scheme. I ordered one from UDC the other day and it is embroidered with white thread. Is this the A/D coxswain device? I notice several coxswains in our unit wearing the white-on-blue sew-on device on the ODU.
Apparently correct. They do offer Auxiliary Specific Items, but on further examination, those seem to be limited to a few miscellaneous buttons and bows. Somehow, I thought the site detected that I was an Auxiliarist and would only sell me things I was authorized to purchase. Obviously, I inferred too much capability from the software.
Back to the original question: The sew-on coxswain device for the ODU uniform embroidered with white thread is A/D?
I can't speak with too much authority here because I'm just currently going through my coxswain quals. It was explained to me that with the coxswain badge it's the opposite of normal; the Gold Side wears silver and the Silver Side wears gold. Looks like you can get Auxiliary coxswain devices at "USAMilitarymedals.com".
Interesting change over the past 25 years. When the Aux. Coxn. insignia was introduced, I was the 1st District Warrant in the Diraux office. The insignia was under a tight control and only issued from my office after the boat training check offs were completed. Couldn't purchase one outside. As I recall, you had to submit a letter request if you needed a replacement.
Originally posted by KD8FQM: I bought a sew-on coxswain device some time ago from Bent Needle and it came in a gold/blue color scheme. I ordered one from UDC the other day and it is embroidered with white thread. Is this the A/D coxswain device? I notice several coxswains in our unit wearing the white-on-blue sew-on device on the ODU.
Yes, the all white (Silver) sew on coxswain is the USCG Active/Reserve sew on. The AUX sew-on is gold/blue.
The other sew-ons that may confuse are the Boat Forces Devices. Basic Boat Forces Qual is Pewter colored or silver thread, the Advanced is Pewter/Gold or Silver/Gold thread.
Thanks for the insight. I know the pin had a golden hue, but I wondered about the embroidery for the ODU's. It's now clear as a bell, and thanks again. I think I now get to impart some insight to some of our senior members.
Originally posted by vftb: It was explained to me that with the coxswain badge it's the opposite of normal; the Gold Side wears silver and the Silver Side wears gold.
Actually the AUX coxn device is bronze not gold, although some of our brethren have them gold plated (unofficially).
quote:
Originally posted by cg2er410: The other sew-ons that may confuse are the Boat Forces Devices. Basic Boat Forces Qual is Pewter colored or silver thread, the Advanced is Pewter/Gold or Silver/Gold thread.
The Boat Force Qual is a CG device which is awarded to AUX earning it with the same quals as AD. There is no AUX version of this qualification.
, learn something new every day.
. Nowadays, if you looked hard enough, you could probably buy a MOH online.
