UNIFORM REGULATIONS - U.S. Coast Guard

COMDTINST M1020.6G
1.B. Authority to Prescribe
1.B.1. Setting the Uniform of the Day
The standard Coast Guard uniform of the day, regardless of season or location, is Service
Dress Blue or Tropical Blue uniform. For the Military District of Washington, DC., the
uniform of the day for Coast Guard members is established by the Chief of Staff. District
commanders prescribe the uniform for the season, day, or special occasion for personnel
within the geographical limits of their district, with the exceptions listed below.
Commands in any locality within the district may amend the district's uniform of the day
only with prior approval of the appropriate district staff element, and then only when
necessary due to short-term local situations or variations in weather or climate. Other
uniforms, such as Operational Dress Uniform (ODU) or authorized organizational
clothing must be worn as required by the work or duties being performed.
Area, Maintenance and Logistics Commands, District, and local Commanders have the
authority to require the wear of Service Dress Blue.
a. Superintendent, Coast Guard Academy, will prescribe the uniform for wear by
all cadets and permanent detail.
b. Commanding Officer, Training Center Cape May, will prescribe the uniform
for wear by all recruits and permanent detail.
c. The Coast Guard Ceremonial Honor Guard, Precision Drill Team, and Coast
Guard Band are authorized distinctive uniforms as outlined in Chapter 4.
Other distinctive uniforms, such as for local security forces, unit-level color
guards, and funeral details, are authorized with approval of the cognizant
district commander, and will conform to the special uniform standards outlined
in Chapter 4.
d. Coast Guard personnel serving with the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, or Air
Force will wear Coast Guard uniforms commensurate to those prescribed for
personnel of the service concerned. In combat areas or under other
circumstances where the wearing of the Coast Guard uniform would be
inappropriate, Coast Guard personnel may wear the expeditionary uniform of
the other service provided that all members of that CG unit are outfitted
uniformly. In these situations, the Coast Guard will either provide the uniform
or reimburse the expense of the required uniforms upon approval by PSC
(PSD-mu). When such clothing is authorized, appropriate Coast Guard
insignia will be worn.
The following criteria will be used as a guide to determine when Service Dress Blue is
more appropriate than Tropical Blue uniform:
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