The other night at a flotilla meeting a new member transferring from the San Francisco area mentioned that there was discussion at his old flotilla about the notion that the wearing of ribbons and devices on uniforms was "scary" to some of the people in that area.
Notwithstanding the implications of geography, it was San Francisco, a part of France, I have noted a lot of anti-military, anti-authoritarian comments on this site and would like to pose a question:
Would the performance of our mission be enhanced if we, the Coast Guard Auxiliary, reinvented ourselves as the American Lifesaving Service, similar to the organizations in other countries?
While we would still be part of the Coast Guard, in such that we would have the same mission responsibilities, would we really be more "user friendly" if we were to dump the uniforms, rank insignias, etc. and go about our business in monogrammed golf shirts and blue jeans?
What do you think?

Since I augment in the Marine Safety field, that idea would kinda be pointless for me.

I could care less what some "libtards" in San Francisco think..

I'm not in the Aux, but do think the CG has a tendency to try and adapt too much to the needs and whims of the locals.

Should some our members be allowed to not be stationed in SF area because they don't like some of the life-styles there? That would not float for long. It cuts both ways.

Our members wear their uniforms with pride and practice the Core Values. Maybe some of that will wear off on the locals? Prejudice and tolerance are equal opportunity employers.

We allow our members only one choice.

would we really be more "user friendly" if we were to dump the uniforms, rank insignias, etc. and go about our business in monogrammed golf shirts and blue jeans?

That was the exact rationale behind the optional VE Golf Shirt when it was introduced in 1999. Since then some districts have authorized the wearing of Auxiliary t-shirts, particularly when the weather gets hot. That was more of an issue pre-ODU when you weren't supposed to remove the WB shirt. The ODU 'jacket' can be removed and is often not worn at all by Auxies on patrol. They opt instead for the Operartions t-shirt or the PWC t-shirt.

About 2 years ago, Nat Aux made the Operations Golf Shirt, with embroided member name, available thru the AuxCen.

So shirt wise, what you asked is already an option.

You are also prohibited from putting any insignia on those polo shirts - nor can you put any on the Tilley Hat.

We allow our members only one choice.

That may or may not be true locally - it certainly isn't true nationally. There are a myriad number of uniforms and a variety of legal ways to put them together. Just as an example, aside from the shirt issue, a member on patrol has the option of the Tilley hat or the baseball cap. The baseball cap could be a Nat Aux hat, a district hat, a flotilla hat or even a CG unit hat. And with a large enough crew, you will probably have several different hats in use on the same patrol.

And here is an interesting thing to ponder. If you ever go to a NACON or an N-Train and participate in the events before the membership meetings that take place on the weekend, you will discover that almost no one wears a uniform. The dress code, pre-member meetings is casual. Some departments have come up with departmental golf shirts but hardly anyone is in uniform. I don't have a problem with that per se - but then Nat Aux should get off the members backs about wearing unis. If it's own staff cannot, will not or does not have to wear working unis to working sessions then it shouldn't expect the Bilge Mice to either.

The uniform only defines the service that we represent. The individual inside of the uniform delivers the positive or negative message. Think about police officers, they get the good and bad reputation based on local events. The person in the uniform still only wants a safer place for members of the community.

Except if the individual is wearing a sword at his side.