ACN 116/17 - OCT 2017 RESULTS OF UNIFORM BOARD 47

ALCOAST COMMANDANT NOTICE               CANCEL DATE 10 OCT 18

R 111024 OCT 17
FM COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC//PSC//
TO ALCOAST
UNCLAS //N01020//
ACN 116/17
SUBJ: RESULTS OF UNIFORM BOARD 47
A. Coast Guard Uniform Regulations, COMDTINST M1020.6 (series)
1. This ALCOAST issues new guidance and reports the results from Uniform Board
No. 47. These policy changes have been approved by the Commandant and are effective
immediately. These changes will be incorporated into the next revision of
REF (a), to be released within the next year.
   A. AUTHORIZE THE WEAR OF UNIT T-SHIRTS: Operational unit commanders may
authorize unit T-shirts to be worn in lieu of the standard blue crew neck
t-shirt when worn with the Operational Dress Uniform (ODU) and with the blouse
removed. Unit t-shirts may be worn after the standard workday, but not while
on watch or when engaged with the public and/or with other units outside the
command. The Unit t-shirt must be of the same color, fabric and style as the
standard ODU blue crew neck t-shirt. All logo(s), names, symbols, etc. must
not be visible when worn with the ODU blouse. Unit t-shirt designs must be
command approved, and shall be in good taste as to not offend others or bring
discredit upon the Coast Guard (CG) or its people.  In order to maintain
exacting quality standards and uniformity of product specifications, unit
t-shirts are required to be procured via the CG Exchange System (CGX).
The CGX Point of Contact is Ms. Terri Holman who may be contacted at
(757) 842-4945 or via e-mail terri.holman@cgexchange.org.
   B. AUTHORIZE THE WEAR OF UNIT CREW NECK SWEATSHIRTS: Operational unit
commanders may authorize a Unit crew neck sweatshirt to be worn in lieu of the
ODU blouse. Wear is limited to onboard operational units after the standard
work day, but not while on watch or when engaged with the public and/or other
units outside the command.  Unit sweatshirt designs must be command approved,
and shall be in good taste as to not offend others or bring discredit upon the
CG or its people. In order to maintain exacting quality standards and
uniformity of product specifications, unit sweat shirts are required to be
procured via the CG Exchange System (CGX).  The CGX Point of Contact is
Ms. Terri Holman who may be contacted at (757) 842-4945 or via e-mail
terri.holman@cgexchange.org.
   C. STANDARD BLUE ODU T-SHIRT WITH EMBROIDERY OR PRINTED LETTERING: The
requirement for embroidery or printed "U.S. COAST GUARD" lettering on the
standard blue ODU crew neck t-shirt is removed. Embroidered or printed
t-shirts are authorized until no longer serviceable or otherwise directed by
higher authority.
   D. ODU TROUSER USCG EMBROIDERED EMBLEM: The requirement for ODU trousers to
have the CG emblem embroidered on the leg pocket flaps is removed.
Embroidered ODU trousers are authorized until no longer serviceable or
directed by a higher authority.     
   E. AUTHORIZED FEMALE HAIR ACCESSORIES: Uniform policy authorizing female hair
accessories is revised to include the hair claw. The hair claw shall be
wingless; not to exceed 3 inches in length and 1 inch in width. The hair claw
shall be black, navy blue, brown or a color similar to the individual’s hair
color and shall not interfere with the proper wearing of head gear
(and/or safety gear). Commanding officers may restrict the wear of hair
accessories while engaged in operational environments where there is a risk
for foreign object damage (FOD) hazards or for personnel safety.
   F. FEMALE HAIR GROOMING STANDARDS (BUN SIZE REQUIREMENTS): Uniform policy
revises the current hair bun size limitation from 2 inches and is
increased to a maximum of 3 inches. The bun may touch the collar, but may
not fall below the bottom edge of the shirt collar or jacket collar, with
exception to the foul weather parka.
   G. FEMALE HAIR GROOMING STANDARDS (AUTHORIZED HAIRSTYLES): Uniform policy
regarding authorized female hair styles is revised to add the term “locks”
to section 2.B of REF (a) as an authorized hair style.  Commanding
officers shall insure all haircuts and styles present a balanced, neat,
professional and well groomed appearance.
   H. FEMALE HAIR GROOMING STANDARDS (HAIR STYLES REQUIREMENTS): Uniform
policy authorizing female hair styles is modified to increase the diameter
of braids, cornrows, locks and twists from ¼ inch to ½ inch with no more
than a ¼ inch space between rows.
   I. FEMALE HAIR GROOMING STANDARDS (PONYTAIL REQUIREMENTS): Uniform policy
regarding the female ponytail is revised to clarify that the ponytail end
shall be neatly and inconspicuously fastened, pinned or secured to the
head at all times. 
   J. ODU BLOUSE SLEEVES: The ODU blouse is authorized to be worn with
sleeves up or down based on individual preference, unless greater
uniformity is required by the command, i.e. uniform inspections, boarding
teams, official visits, etc.
   K. U.S. COAST GUARD FITTED BALL CAP: An optional U.S. Coast Guard fitted
ball cap (standard or unit) is authorized for wear in lieu of the standard
U.S. Coast Guard hook and loop adjustable ball cap. A product specification
is under development by the Clothing Design Technical Office (CDTO), which
will be provided to the Coast Guard Exchange System (CGES) for future
production and standardized procurement.  Fitted ball caps shall only be
purchased from the Coast Guard Exchange System (CGX) in order to maintain
uniformity and adherence to the design specification. The CGX Point of
Contact is Ms. Terri Holman who may be contacted at (757) 842-4945 or
via e-mail terri.holman@cgexchange.org.
   L. BOONIE CAP: Uniform policy regarding the wear of the Boonie cap is
revised to authorize wear as either optional or organizational clothing
item while conducting operations in adverse environmental conditions,
unless the command determines a greater degree of uniformity is required.
The Boonie cap is only authorized for wear with the ODU.
   M. COLD WEATHER CAP INSIGNIA: An appropriate rank specific combination cap
insignia as listed in 4.A of REF (a) is now mandatory for placement
on the Cold Weather Cap visor. The visor shall remain snapped in the up
position to allow full visibility of the rank insignia. The insignia shall
be centered on the forward facing portion of the cap visor.
   N. KNIT WATCH CAP: Uniform policy regarding wear of the knit watch cap is
revised  to authorize the wear of the knit watch cap with the ODU during
operational activities or as authorized by the command due to inclement
weather. 
   O. ENLISTED SERVICE DRESS BLUE COAT (SDB): Uniform policy regarding the
placement of the CG Shield on the enlisted SDB coat sleeve is changed from
its current placement, “midway between the elbow and cuff” to the new
authorized placement, “bottom of the shield being located 4 inches up
from the sleeve cuff”, to allow for greater uniformity. Current SDB coats
with attached shields are authorized until no longer serviceable, or until
October 1, 2025, or as otherwise directed by higher authority.
   P. EYEWEAR RETAINERS WHILE IN UNIFORM: Eyewear retainers (strap, cord,
etc.) are authorized to be worn with the ODU, Tropical Blue and Winter
Dress Blue uniforms in a work environment. Retainers shall be either plain
black or dark blue, and may be worn loose or tightly fitted to the head.
The hanging of eyewear loosely around the neck for short periods of time
is authorized; eyewear shall not be worn on the top or back of the head
or cover when not in use. Commands may restrict the wear of eyewear
retainers, when greater uniformity is required except for tight fitting
retainer straps as required for safety.
   Q. AUTHORIZED WEAR OF SPIRIT ACCESSORIES FOR CG ACADEMY CADETS: The CG
Academy Commandant of Cadets or as directed by the chain of command may
authorize the optional wear of “Spirit Accessories” by Coast Guard
Academy Cadets while in uniform during significant varsity and club level
events. Spirit accessories include but are not limited to: a single button
not larger than four inches in diameter, scarf, pennant, or foam hand.
Spirit accessories shall conform to a conservative nature and shall not
overtly distract from a sharp military and professional appearance. Spirit
accessories are not authorized for wear during the national anthem or
when formal military decorum is appropriate.
   R. BACKPACKS: Backpacks may be worn while in the ODU uniform with the
straps over both shoulders (fore to aft) or with the left shoulder carrying
strap over the left shoulder when using a single strap. Training Commands
and the CG Academy may authorize the limited wear of backpacks in the same
manner as specified above with the Service Dress Blue, Tropical Blue and
Winter Dress Blue uniforms and while onboard the training facility only.   
2. In addition to the above items, a work group will be established to
further evaluate a number of female specific uniform proposals.  These
proposals will be developed and researched with the assistance of the
COMDT (CG-12B). Diversity Staff and will be considered for uniform board vote
at a future date.
3. The Uniform Program is also engaged in several new initiatives. In
partnership with the U.S. Air Force, we are conducting a limited user wear
test to evaluate design enhancements to the Light Blue Dress Shirt portfolio.
Design enhancements include a change in fabric to a softer more flexible
fabric along with addressing modesty concerns. The pattern has also been
modified to provide a more modern tapered fit in the shirt body. There is
also a limited user wear test evaluation of the Maternity ODU Uniform.
Design modifications include addressing concern over sleeve tightness,
belly panel discomfort, pocket locations, size issues and length of the
Maternity ODU blouse. Uniform Board 46 authorized review of the current
ODU uniform to look for ways to improve the overall comfort. Our CDTO
office worked with DOD and industry to develop a material that is lighter
in weight, has improved air permeability, dries quicker and allows for
increased comfort when worn in hot/humid environments. The wear test
evaluation for this ODU variant will begin in the next few months to
determine if the desired characteristics have been achieved while
maintaining durability in an operational environment.  All limited user
evaluations should be complete, reviewed and final determinations made
by spring of CY18.
4. As a reminder IAW REF (a), uniform items presented to and
disapproved by the Uniform Board require a two year wait or the passing
of two uniform boards before they will be reconsidered. Items presented to
the board, disapproved, and within the two year/two board period may be
considered pending new and relevant information.
5. The Uniform Program relies on field level input to enhance our uniforms
and wear policy. All submissions provide value to the uniform program and
even though a submission may not have been approved, policy clarifications,
quality assurance, and other program elements may have been enhanced during
the evaluation of the submission.  A listing of submissions that were not
approved can be found on the Military Uniforms Branch (PSC-PSD-MU) website
at http://www.dcms.uscg.mil/Our-Organization/Assistant-Commandant-for-Human-
Resources-CG-1/Personnel-Service-Center-PSC/Personnel-Services-Division-PSC-
PSD/Military-Uniforms-Branch-PSC-PSD-mu/Military-Uniforms-Program-Office/.
6. Thank you to the members of Uniform Board 47 and to those who submitted
suggestions. Suggestions can be submitted at any time to the uniform program.
Members and commands should refer to REF (a) for official guidance on
uniform matters.  The contents of this ALCOAST are intended to augment
existing policy in REF (a).  For questions regarding uniform policy
and/or board submissions, please contact CWO Alex J. Acevedo at
Alex.J.Acevedo@uscg.mil or (703) 872-6659.  Uniform availability and
ordering questions can be directed to the Uniform Distribution Center at
(800) 874-6844.
7. Released by RDML M. T. Bell Jr., Commander, CG Personnel Service Center.
8. Internet release is authorized.