Should the Coast Guard change their uniform to khakis for E7 and above like the Navy?

CMC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 18 Nov 2014 21:05:17 -0500

Response by CPO Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 19 at 2014 1:50 PM

CPO Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 19 Nov 2014 13:50:37 -0500

I love the idea but it would be a tough sell. I submitted a uniform suggestion to the last board for E7 and above (Coast Guard) to be authorize choker whites like our Navy brothers and sisters...that was shot down. I think there is something special and important about having a distinctive uniform change at E7 and above.

Response by CMC Robert Young made Nov 20 at 2014 11:54 AM

CMC Robert Young — Thu, 20 Nov 2014 11:54:14 -0500

Not a big fan of the khakis for Coast Guard E7 & up only because nobody else in the Coast Guard wears khakis. Having served on a joint base with a strong Navy presence, the Navy paradigm is that the "khaki corps" is the senior leadership of the Navy, and the change in uniform recognizes the shift into that world. They take it very seriously, and it's a point of distinction. There is no similar situation in the Coast Guard. The closest the Coast Guard would come is the change from red to gold at E7 on our Service Dress Blue/Dinner Dress Blue Jacket/Dinner Dress White Jacket.

As far as choker whites, I don't understand why we in the Coast Guard Chiefs' Mess can't get this done. What do we need to do to get the Uniform Board to hear us? I would love to see us adopt them for the chiefs' mess. They're awesome!! CCTI dinner last spring, we had some Navy chiefs in attendance who worn theirs. It was nice to see a little more formal touch at a CCTI dinner.....but that's a whole other topic.

Response by CWO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 20 at 2014 8:01 PM

CWO3 Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 20 Nov 2014 20:01:57 -0500

I have mixed feelings khakis. When I made CPO I thought it would be good but I was an OIC of a small unit and would not want to wear a very different uniform than my crew.

Response by CDR Michael Goldschmidt made Jun 4 at 2015 9:44 PM

CDR Michael Goldschmidt — Thu, 04 Jun 2015 21:44:46 -0400

The Coast Guard should do what the Coast Guard wants to do. They are on their own, unless the CHOP to the USN. From personal experience, though, Khakis were my favorite uniform.

Response by CPO Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 11 at 2015 1:14 PM

CPO Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 11 Jun 2015 13:14:19 -0400

I like the Khakis uniform and the change of the name tag and US Coast Guard letters in gold is a great idea! Having served in the US Army I think the USCG ball cap needs to change to the Navy 8-point hat with only the rank on the hat. Also, having served in the USCG RAID team, and wearing the ODU and Navy tactical uniform felt great!

Response by CPO Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 11 at 2015 1:18 PM

CPO Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 11 Jun 2015 13:18:07 -0400

I think the Khakis uniform and changing the name tags to a gold color is great idea but for everyone! Having served in the US Army for 12 years, I think the ball cap need's to change to the Navy 8-point hat, with just the rank on top.

MSTC Moreno

Response by PO2 George Smith made Oct 8 at 2015 12:56 PM

PO2 George Smith — Thu, 08 Oct 2015 12:56:45 -0400

Little sea story... I was stationed on Yokota Air Force base, on a LORAN monitoring station back in 1980's; was coming out of the exchange when a Master Sgt Saluted me, after returning the salute, I informed the Master Sgt that he had just saluted an E4. .. Obviously the AF uniform and the CG uniforms at that time were very similar.. The AF is was told teaches their recruits that metal on the collar and garrison cap means officer... naturally the Master Sgt was a tad embarrassed. We shook hands and moved along..

Response by MSgt Neil Greenfield made Feb 4 at 2018 8:48 PM

MSgt Neil Greenfield — Sun, 04 Feb 2018 20:48:12 -0500

What in the world are choker whites?!?!

Response by LCDR Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 12 at 2018 12:44 PM

LCDR Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 12 Feb 2018 12:44:35 -0500

Respectfully, I would say no. I’m navy, proudly serving with the USCG, and I find the Coast Guards Dress blues and the Trops to be more maritime and nautical oriented than the navy’s khakis and dress blues. But then, personally, I think the coast guard is much more in touch with its maritime traditions and seamanship. I’d hate to see the uniqueness disappear from the Coast Guard.

Response by CPO Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 22 at 2022 1:55 PM

CPO Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 22 Aug 2022 13:55:27 -0400

Absolutely not.