How to Properly Wear the How to Properly Wear the Operational Dress Uniform (ODU)Operational Dress Uniform (ODU)

By LCDR C. DixonBy LCDR C. DixonTRACEN PetalumaTRACEN Petaluma

U.S. Coast Guard February 2004

Purpose:Purpose:

This information is intended for use by TRACEN This information is intended for use by TRACEN personnel and serves as a quick reference for the personnel and serves as a quick reference for the ODU standards of wear. ODU standards of wear.

This material is in no way intended to replace Coast This material is in no way intended to replace Coast Guard policy. Personnel are to adhere to the latest Guard policy. Personnel are to adhere to the latest official guidance as prescribed by appropriate official guidance as prescribed by appropriate authority.authority.

Where applicable, chapter, section, and paragraph Where applicable, chapter, section, and paragraph has been cited from the Uniform Regulations, has been cited from the Uniform Regulations, COMDTINST M1020.6 (series). COMDTINST M1020.6 (series).

Uniform of the Day:Uniform of the Day:

““The standard Coast Guard uniform of the day, The standard Coast Guard uniform of the day, regardless of season or location, is Service Dress regardless of season or location, is Service Dress Blue (bravo) or Tropical Blue Long.”Blue (bravo) or Tropical Blue Long.” COMDTINST M1020.6 (series)COMDTINST M1020.6 (series)

The District Commander or the TRACEN The District Commander or the TRACEN Commanding Officer may prescribe alternatives Commanding Officer may prescribe alternatives as necessary for specific work assignments or as necessary for specific work assignments or inclement weather.inclement weather.

Responsibility:Responsibility:

““Commands and personnel in leadership Commands and personnel in leadership positions at every level are responsible to positions at every level are responsible to promote and enforce high standards for uniform promote and enforce high standards for uniform appearance.” appearance.” COMDTINST M1020.6 (series)COMDTINST M1020.6 (series)

All uniform items shall be worn in accordance with All uniform items shall be worn in accordance with applicable directives.applicable directives.

Footwear (3.C.9):Footwear (3.C.9):

8” – 10” plain black, safety boots*8” – 10” plain black, safety boots*

* Safety boots must have a * Safety boots must have a safety toe that conforms with safety toe that conforms with ANSI standards Z41-1999ANSI standards Z41-1999

Boots shall be well Boots shall be well blackened and in good blackened and in good condition (2.A.1).condition (2.A.1).

Boots may be all leather Boots may be all leather or a combination of or a combination of synthetic and leather as synthetic and leather as shown (3.C.9).shown (3.C.9).

Socks (3.C.9):Socks (3.C.9):

Black, undecorated plain or ribbed knitBlack, undecorated plain or ribbed knit

Socks can be knee length Socks can be knee length or mid calf but any portion or mid calf but any portion above the boot must be above the boot must be black in color. black in color.

With trousers properly With trousers properly fitted and bloused, socks fitted and bloused, socks will not be visible.will not be visible.

Trousers (3.C.6):Trousers (3.C.6):

Bloused atop boots with blousing bands Bloused atop boots with blousing bands

Attach the “band” around Attach the “band” around the top of the boot. Pull the the top of the boot. Pull the trouser cuff over the band trouser cuff over the band and roll the cuff inward, and roll the cuff inward, underneathunderneath the band. Once the band. Once the cuff is in place, position the cuff is in place, position the band just above the the band just above the second eyelet of the boot. second eyelet of the boot. Blousing bands and socks Blousing bands and socks should not be visible.should not be visible.

Cord style (shown) and Cord style (shown) and VelcroVelcro bands are bands are authorized (dark colors). authorized (dark colors).

Belt / Buckle (3.C.7):Belt / Buckle (3.C.7):

Belt - Black webbing with black metal tip Belt - Black webbing with black metal tip

Buckle - Black subdued, open-framedBuckle - Black subdued, open-framed

The ODU belt & buckle are to The ODU belt & buckle are to be worn by both men and be worn by both men and women in the same manner women in the same manner as the men’s standard CG as the men’s standard CG belt. The metal tip is run belt. The metal tip is run through the belt loops through the belt loops beginning on the left side of beginning on the left side of the zipper. Once fastened, the zipper. Once fastened, the metal tip will extend from the metal tip will extend from 2” to 4” beyond the buckle.2” to 4” beyond the buckle.

2” – 2” – 4”4”

Belt / Buckle Belt / Buckle (continued)(continued)::

The right side of the buckle The right side of the buckle (as viewed by wearer) shall (as viewed by wearer) shall be aligned with the right side be aligned with the right side of the shirt opening and the of the shirt opening and the right side of the zipper to right side of the zipper to form a straight line as shown form a straight line as shown (both men and women).(both men and women).

Dotted lines indicate alignment Dotted lines indicate alignment of ODU top, buckle, and of ODU top, buckle, and

trousers (gig line).trousers (gig line).

T – Shirts (3.B.13):T – Shirts (3.B.13):

Coast Guard blue, short sleeve crew neckCoast Guard blue, short sleeve crew neck

ODU Top :ODU Top :

Worn with sleeves neatly rolled up accordion style or Worn with sleeves neatly rolled up accordion style or down. Top must be tucked into the trousersdown. Top must be tucked into the trousers

Cloth tapes are centered over Cloth tapes are centered over the pockets as shown with the the pockets as shown with the width of the tape running the width of the tape running the width of the pocket flap. The width of the pocket flap. The member’s last name goes over member’s last name goes over the right pocket and U.S. COAST the right pocket and U.S. COAST GUARD over the left. VelcroGUARD over the left. Velcro tapes are optional. Direct tapes are optional. Direct embroidery and plastic name embroidery and plastic name tags are prohibited (3.F.2).tags are prohibited (3.F.2).

Dotted lines indicate alignment Dotted lines indicate alignment of tapes with pocketsof tapes with pockets

ODU Top ODU Top (continued)(continued)::

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

Dotted lines indicate alignment Dotted lines indicate alignment of tapes with pocketsof tapes with pockets

ODU Top - SleevesODU Top - Sleeves

Sleeves may be worn down with cuffs Sleeves may be worn down with cuffs buttoned (or) with sleeves neatly rolled. buttoned (or) with sleeves neatly rolled.

When properly rolled, the When properly rolled, the cuffcuff should be should be approximately 2” above the elbow (mid-approximately 2” above the elbow (mid-bicep) with only the bicep) with only the cuffcuff visible (3.C.3). visible (3.C.3).

To properly roll the sleeves takes some To properly roll the sleeves takes some patience and a little practice, but once patience and a little practice, but once mastered can be achieved without mastered can be achieved without difficulty. Depending on an individual’s difficulty. Depending on an individual’s size and sleeve length some sleeves may size and sleeve length some sleeves may be rolled with one fold while others will be rolled with one fold while others will take two.take two.

CuffCuff

ODU Top – Sleeves ODU Top – Sleeves (continued)(continued)

1.1. Fully extend and flatten the sleeve Fully extend and flatten the sleeve on a level surface.on a level surface.

2.2. Starting at the cuff turn sleeve Starting at the cuff turn sleeve inside out to armpit as shown. inside out to armpit as shown. Take care to flatten the sleeve to Take care to flatten the sleeve to remove any irregular folds or remove any irregular folds or creases.creases.

3.3. To form the fold, roll the sleeve in To form the fold, roll the sleeve in half again to form two equal half again to form two equal segments the width of the “cuff”.segments the width of the “cuff”.

(continued on next slide)(continued on next slide)

ODU Top – Sleeves ODU Top – Sleeves (continued)(continued)

4.4. Next, turn the cuff down over the foldNext, turn the cuff down over the fold(Pinching the outer edge of the (Pinching the outer edge of the sleeve to begin the fold will help to sleeve to begin the fold will help to keep the fabric from slipping).keep the fabric from slipping).

5.5. Once in place, take care to flatten the Once in place, take care to flatten the sleeve to remove any irregular folds sleeve to remove any irregular folds or creases. When properly done, only or creases. When properly done, only the cuff should be visible.the cuff should be visible.

6.6. To remove the roll, simply pull the To remove the roll, simply pull the lower edge of the cuff downward lower edge of the cuff downward toward the wrist.toward the wrist.

ODU Top ODU Top (continued)(continued)::

Both Officer and EnlistedBoth Officer and Enlisted::

Metal collar devices are Metal collar devices are standard while sew-on cloth standard while sew-on cloth devices are optional. Both are devices are optional. Both are to be centered on the collar to be centered on the collar along an imaginary line along an imaginary line bisecting the angle of the bisecting the angle of the collar point (3.D.1.d; 3.D.2.a).collar point (3.D.1.d; 3.D.2.a).

Dotted lines included to indicate Dotted lines included to indicate alignment of collar devicesalignment of collar devices

Qualification Insignia, Devices, & Badges (3.E.1):Qualification Insignia, Devices, & Badges (3.E.1):

Officer and EnlistedOfficer and Enlisted::

Only the current or most recent Only the current or most recent embroideredembroidered qualification qualification insignia is to be worn on the insignia is to be worn on the ODU. It is sewn centered, ODU. It is sewn centered, directly above the U.S. COAST directly above the U.S. COAST GUARD tape. Thread will match GUARD tape. Thread will match the insignia background color the insignia background color and shall be a minimum of six and shall be a minimum of six stitches per inch. Direct stitches per inch. Direct embroidery is not authorized.embroidery is not authorized.

Gray oval indicates location for Gray oval indicates location for

embroidered qualification insigniaembroidered qualification insignia

Insignia, Devices, & Badges Insignia, Devices, & Badges (continued)(continued)::

Officer and EnlistedOfficer and Enlisted::

An embroidered miniature An embroidered miniature device is authorized for device is authorized for incumbent CO’s/OINC’s. incumbent CO’s/OINC’s. Metal is Metal is optionaloptional when safety when safety is not an issue for concern. is not an issue for concern. The device is to be centered The device is to be centered directly above name tape directly above name tape (3.B.13).(3.B.13).

Gray circle indicates location for Gray circle indicates location for embroidered miniature deviceembroidered miniature device

Insignia, Devices, & Badges Insignia, Devices, & Badges (continued)(continued)::

Small BadgesSmall Badges (metal) authorized (metal) authorized during & following assignment when during & following assignment when

not a safety concern (not a safety concern (menmen):):

Office of the Secretary of Defense (2)Office of the Secretary of Defense (2)

Office of the Secretary of Homeland Office of the Secretary of Homeland Security (1) Security (1)

Office of the Secretary of Transportation (1)Office of the Secretary of Transportation (1)

Joint Chiefs of Staff (2)Joint Chiefs of Staff (2)

Commandant’s Staff Identification (1)Commandant’s Staff Identification (1)

Previous Command Master Chief, Senior Previous Command Master Chief, Senior Chief and Chief will wear the applicable small Chief and Chief will wear the applicable small badge (1). The badge (1). The incumbentincumbent Command Master Command Master Chief, Senior Chief and Chief will wear the Chief, Senior Chief and Chief will wear the applicable large badge (2) (3.E.3).applicable large badge (2) (3.E.3).

Numbers in gray represent location Numbers in gray represent location for wear to corresponding badge.for wear to corresponding badge.

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Insignia, Devices, & Badges Insignia, Devices, & Badges (continued)(continued)::

Small BadgesSmall Badges (metal) authorized (metal) authorized during & following assignment when during & following assignment when

not a safety concern (not a safety concern (womenwomen):):

Office of the Secretary of Defense (2)Office of the Secretary of Defense (2)

Office of the Secretary of Homeland Office of the Secretary of Homeland Security (1) Security (1)

Office of the Secretary of Transportation (1)Office of the Secretary of Transportation (1)

Joint Chiefs of Staff (2)Joint Chiefs of Staff (2)

Commandant’s Staff Identification (1)Commandant’s Staff Identification (1)

Previous Command Master Chief, Senior Previous Command Master Chief, Senior Chief and Chief will wear the applicable small Chief and Chief will wear the applicable small badge (3). The badge (3). The incumbentincumbent Command Master Command Master Chief, Senior Chief and Chief will wear the Chief, Senior Chief and Chief will wear the applicable large badge (1) (3.E.3).applicable large badge (1) (3.E.3).

Numbers in gray represent location Numbers in gray represent location for wear to corresponding badge. for wear to corresponding badge.

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References:References:

Uniform Regulations, COMDTINST M1020.6 (series)Uniform Regulations, COMDTINST M1020.6 (series)

http://www.uscg.mil/hq/g-w/g-wp/udc/index.htmhttp://www.uscg.mil/hq/g-w/g-wp/udc/index.htm

U.S. Coast Guard Headquarters (G-WPM-1)U.S. Coast Guard Headquarters (G-WPM-1)