How to Properly Wear the Operational Dress Uniform (ODU) By LCDR C How to Properly Wear the Operational Dress Uniform (ODU) By LCDR C. Dixon TRACEN Petaluma U.S. Coast Guard February 2004

Purpose: This information is intended for use by TRACEN personnel and serves as a quick reference for the ODU standards of wear. This material is in no way intended to replace Coast Guard policy. Personnel are to adhere to the latest official guidance as prescribed by appropriate authority. Where applicable, chapter, section, and paragraph has been cited from the Uniform Regulations, COMDTINST M1020.6 (series).

Uniform of the Day: “The standard Coast Guard uniform of the day, regardless of season or location, is Service Dress Blue (bravo) or Tropical Blue Long.” COMDTINST M1020.6 (series) The District Commander or the TRACEN Commanding Officer may prescribe alternatives as necessary for specific work assignments or inclement weather.

Responsibility: “Commands and personnel in leadership positions at every level are responsible to promote and enforce high standards for uniform appearance.” COMDTINST M1020.6 (series) All uniform items shall be worn in accordance with applicable directives.

8” – 10” plain black, safety boots* Footwear (3.C.9): 8” – 10” plain black, safety boots* Boots shall be well blackened and in good condition (2.A.1). Boots may be all leather or a combination of synthetic and leather as shown (3.C.9). * Safety boots must have a safety toe that conforms with ANSI standards Z41-1999

Black, undecorated plain or ribbed knit Socks (3.C.9): Black, undecorated plain or ribbed knit Socks can be knee length or mid calf but any portion above the boot must be black in color. With trousers properly fitted and bloused, socks will not be visible.

Bloused atop boots with blousing bands Trousers (3.C.6): Bloused atop boots with blousing bands Attach the “band” around the top of the boot. Pull the trouser cuff over the band and roll the cuff inward, underneath the band. Once the cuff is in place, position the band just above the second eyelet of the boot. Blousing bands and socks should not be visible. Cord style (shown) and Velcro bands are authorized (dark colors).

Belt - Black webbing with black metal tip Belt / Buckle (3.C.7): Belt - Black webbing with black metal tip Buckle - Black subdued, open-framed The ODU belt & buckle are to be worn by both men and women in the same manner as the men’s standard CG belt. The metal tip is run through the belt loops beginning on the left side of the zipper. Once fastened, the metal tip will extend from 2” to 4” beyond the buckle. 2” – 4”

Belt / Buckle (continued): The right side of the buckle (as viewed by wearer) shall be aligned with the right side of the shirt opening and the right side of the zipper to form a straight line as shown (both men and women). Dotted lines indicate alignment of ODU top, buckle, and trousers (gig line).

Coast Guard blue, short sleeve crew neck T – Shirts (3.B.13): Coast Guard blue, short sleeve crew neck

Dotted lines indicate alignment of tapes with pockets ODU Top : Worn with sleeves neatly rolled up accordion style or down. Top must be tucked into the trousers Cloth tapes are centered over the pockets as shown with the width of the tape running the width of the pocket flap. The member’s last name goes over the right pocket and U.S. COAST GUARD over the left. Velcro tapes are optional. Direct embroidery and plastic name tags are prohibited (3.F.2). Dotted lines indicate alignment of tapes with pockets

Dotted lines indicate alignment of tapes with pockets ODU Top (continued): Cloth tapes will consist of background color matching ODU material with white block letters between ½” to ¾” high. Only member’s last name is permitted. Tapes will be of the same size and shall be sewn on with matching blue thread at six (6) stitches per inch (3.F.2). Dotted lines indicate alignment of tapes with pockets

ODU Top - Sleeves Sleeves may be worn down with cuffs buttoned (or) with sleeves neatly rolled. When properly rolled, the cuff should be approximately 2” above the elbow (mid-bicep) with only the cuff visible (3.C.3). To properly roll the sleeves takes some patience and a little practice, but once mastered can be achieved without difficulty. Depending on an individual’s size and sleeve length some sleeves may be rolled with one fold while others will take two. Cuff

ODU Top – Sleeves (continued) Fully extend and flatten the sleeve on a level surface. Starting at the cuff turn sleeve inside out to armpit as shown. Take care to flatten the sleeve to remove any irregular folds or creases. To form the fold, roll the sleeve in half again to form two equal segments the width of the “cuff”. (continued on next slide)

ODU Top – Sleeves (continued) Next, turn the cuff down over the fold (Pinching the outer edge of the sleeve to begin the fold will help to keep the fabric from slipping). Once in place, take care to flatten the sleeve to remove any irregular folds or creases. When properly done, only the cuff should be visible. To remove the roll, simply pull the lower edge of the cuff downward toward the wrist.

Dotted lines included to indicate alignment of collar devices ODU Top (continued): Both Officer and Enlisted: Metal collar devices are standard while sew-on cloth devices are optional. Both are to be centered on the collar along an imaginary line bisecting the angle of the collar point (3.D.1.d; 3.D.2.a). Dotted lines included to indicate alignment of collar devices

Qualification Insignia, Devices, & Badges (3.E.1): Officer and Enlisted: Only the current or most recent embroidered qualification insignia is to be worn on the ODU. It is sewn centered, directly above the U.S. COAST GUARD tape. Thread will match the insignia background color and shall be a minimum of six stitches per inch. Direct embroidery is not authorized. Gray oval indicates location for embroidered qualification insignia

Insignia, Devices, & Badges (continued): Officer and Enlisted: An embroidered miniature device is authorized for incumbent CO’s/OINC’s. Metal is optional when safety is not an issue for concern. The device is to be centered directly above name tape (3.B.13). Gray circle indicates location for embroidered miniature device

Insignia, Devices, & Badges (continued): Small Badges (metal) authorized during & following assignment when not a safety concern (men): Office of the Secretary of Defense (2) Office of the Secretary of Homeland Security (1) Office of the Secretary of Transportation (1) Joint Chiefs of Staff (2) Commandant’s Staff Identification (1) Previous Command Master Chief, Senior Chief and Chief will wear the applicable small badge (1). The incumbent Command Master Chief, Senior Chief and Chief will wear the applicable large badge (2) (3.E.3). 1 2 Numbers in gray represent location for wear to corresponding badge.

Insignia, Devices, & Badges (continued): Small Badges (metal) authorized during & following assignment when not a safety concern (women): Office of the Secretary of Defense (2) Office of the Secretary of Homeland Security (1) Office of the Secretary of Transportation (1) Joint Chiefs of Staff (2) Commandant’s Staff Identification (1) Previous Command Master Chief, Senior Chief and Chief will wear the applicable small badge (3). The incumbent Command Master Chief, Senior Chief and Chief will wear the applicable large badge (1) (3.E.3). 1 2 3 Numbers in gray represent location for wear to corresponding badge.

References: Uniform Regulations, COMDTINST M1020.6 (series) http://www.uscg.mil/hq/g-w/g-wp/udc/index.htm U.S. Coast Guard Headquarters (G-WPM-1)