ODU wear policy

[BMCS Jeff Lucas]

As per the latest ALCOST :

2. THIS ALCOAST CLARIFIES THE PROPER WEAR OF THE ODU. THE ODU IS A
GENERAL PURPOSE EVERYDAY UNIFORM INTENDED FOR WEAR IN ANY SITUATION THAT DOES NOT REQUIRE A DRESS UNIFORM.

I'm looking for a little guidence here. I've heard rumblings concerning the wearing of the ODU, about when and where it's appropriate, to fall more in line with the other branches who where thier BDU's pretty much everywhere. Has this finally been addressed anywhere yet, as I haven't seen anything on it.

Tomorrow the MN Twins are honoring the first responders, i.e. police, fire, etc., of the I-35W bridge collaps and SE Minnesota floods by selling tickets to these first responders for $1, and then having an on the field kind of parade before the game to show their appreciation. We had some Coasties at the site of the bridge collaps, and some of them are going to the game. Would this be a place where a smart looking ODU would be appropriate, or would this REQUIRE a dress uniform. It's kind of Gray for me. I think a smart ODU would be fine, similar to how our other branches wear this type of uniform. But again, that's my opinion. What's your?

[BMCM Bill James]

Best bet is to coordinte with all the services so that you wear equivalent uniforms.

Biggest problem for us is that the Navy doesn't have a "warrior" uniform, so they usually wear Khakis or Dress Blue/White..which, if we try to tag along with our closest sister service, means we wear Trops.

[BMCM Stuart S. Slesh]

Jeff, I'd think trops would be more appropriate. As far as required??????? if in doubt, play it save.......

[BMCS Jeff Lucas]

Roger that. Trops it is. Thanks all.

On an aside, does anyone ever forsee the wearing of the new ODU similar to the DoD BDU's as far as an accepted wear-it-anywhere type on uniform?

[BMCM Deane Smith]

Jeff...I would lean toward ODU's if it were me. If the intent is to recognize the "Responders", then I would think ODU's would be acceptable. I've seen a lot of responders being recognized over the last few years and it seems that most were in ODU's. I also seem to recall seeing a lot of ODU's at the NASCAR and other sports type events.

If it were my people involved, I would try and find out what others were wearing and dress appropriately. If in doubt, run it up the chain for better guidance.

I say ODU's would be fine for this event.

[BMCM Ian McVicker]

All of the Coasties I saw at Busch races last year were in ODU's.

[BMC John Phillips III]

under the theme of "first responders" appreciation, I would think ODU's would be more appropriate, because that is the uniform they are responding in, much like a police officer or paramedic would.

on the other hand, if you are at odds with it, you can never go wrong with trops, even though they may be over-dressed.

In this scenario, I would go with ODU's but I might have to do an ODU inspection prior to....

[BMCS Dave Considine]

With the requirement for sew-ons on ODU's now in effect, it makes it hard to do the old "pinning" ceremony in the ODU's.

I have an SNFS making third class. He advances on a Saturday. He can't wear metal devices on the ODU's. So he'll have to sew on the third class crows on the ODU's for his Saturday duty.

I will make him wear trops on Monday morning when he gets his certificate and is "pinned". I guess the new requirement makes advancement ceremonies undoable in ODU's. Probably better to make it more formal anyway, especially a milestone like making Petty Officer Third Class.

Thinking out loud I guess, just thought I would see if anyone is doing something different.

[MKCM Brett Ayer]

I guess the new requirement makes advancement ceremonies undoable in ODU's.

Policy or not, I would still pin metal crows on a new petty officer in ODUs.

When was the last time you saw someone get an award where they pined it on IAW the uniform manual? They just stick it on the pocket below the others. At the Initiation dinners how many of our new Chiefs show up without anchors so they can be pined? Most of been wearing the anchors for a while. Is that IAW the uniform manual?

My point is don’t let a few words in the manual keep you from properly recognizing a members achievement. I have no problem with doing pinning ceremonies in Trops or SDBs, but if the situation was appropriate, ODUs would work for me.

From the manual:

"Commands have the authority and responsibility to render judgments regarding appropriate appearance and are ultimately responsible for enforcing these regulations in the spirit and intent described above. Interpretations will be made in accordance with the traditions and discipline inherent to the Coast Guard and the Armed Forces of the United States."

Be Safe,

Brett

[BMCS Burt Ford]

Dave, I have condcuted three since 1 Jul, two BMCs and a DC2. In all three cases I had them wear ODUs and remove thier old sew ons. I also told them to have a new one with sew ons ready for after the ceremony. We pinned on the metal devices then they change later. Worked very nice.

[BMCS Dave Considine]

MC and Burt

Thanks - good input. I think I will stay with him wearing his trops (mainly because I already told him he could sew on the crows), plus I want to see him get his trops together!

[BMCM Deane Smith]

I had 3 advance on 01OCT. The 4 of us wore trops for the ceremony. I had this same conversation with a couple of people before the advancements and I decided to go with trops...it is a ceremony afterall.


This brings up another question. What is everyone doing for those advancing on a weekend or holiday? I usually have the ceremony on the last workday before the weekend, if the advancement falls on the weekend.

What's everyone else doing? Wait until Monday or do it early?

[MKCM Bob Brayman]

Do it early

[BMCM Stuart S. Slesh]

I'd wait until Monday. If they needed to be in uniform before Monday they should wear what's authorized,....... but I'd wait until Monday to do the ceremony.

[YNCM Doug Squires (Ret)]

In my 35 years of experience, we have always done it the first working day possible after the date of eligibility.

Retired YNCM sends.

[ETC Pat Kaschube]

Policy or not, I would still pin metal crows on a new petty officer in ODUs.

When was the last time you saw someone get an award where they pined it on IAW the uniform manual? They just stick it on the pocket below the others. At the Initiation dinners how many of our new Chiefs show up without anchors so they can be pined? Most of been wearing the anchors for a while. Is that IAW the uniform manual?

My point is don’t let a few words in the manual keep you from properly recognizing a members achievement. I have no problem with doing pinning ceremonies in Trops or SDBs, but if the situation was appropriate, ODUs would work for me.

From the manual:

"Commands have the authority and responsibility to render judgments regarding appropriate appearance and are ultimately responsible for enforcing these regulations in the spirit and intent described above. Interpretations will be made in accordance with the traditions and discipline inherent to the Coast Guard and the Armed Forces of the United States."

Be Safe,

Brett


I like that. Then if someone is walking around on the first of the month with a shiny set of new collar devices everyone knows they got advanced. Of course at a smaller unit this isn't an issue but at at larger unit this is a nice touch.