ODUs

[BMCS Dennis Endicott ret]

I like this uniform. It's a bit warm in the summer months, but compared to the old work/undress blue uniform, it is much much better. Good job to whomever suggested it, and well done to those operational units that field-tested it.

[PACS Steve Carleton]

OK-- Stop laughing, a PA, yes, a PA! Likes the ODU's.

I am assigned to the Ntaional Strike Force and we wear them when we are not on a response, much more comfortable, little warm in the summer, but still comfortable.

This past week, I was up at NAVSTA Norfolk, and saw Navy people wearing our old working blue, I tried to give one of them a good deal on my old ones. No takers.

Navy Times had an article surveying the enlisted Navy workforce about their uniforms. One sailor said he really hates the work uniforms and wants to go to some sort of "battle uniform like the Coast Guard's new one,"

Hey guys, we are trendsetters -- its a nice change for once!

[BMCS Mark Stauffer]

The only thing I would change on the new ODUs (currently working on a letter for the change) is the placement of the belt tab. Right now the Uniform Regs say that the tab is to be 3-4 inches extended from the belt buckle. I think this looks sloppy and would like to see it butted up against the belt buckle. Maybe I'm just having boot camp flashbacks of "Brass on Brass".

[MKC Art Bailly (ret)]

I agree on the belt buckle. Not only does it look sloppy but it could be a saftey issue for engineroom watchstanders and bouy deck operations. Ok not to discriminate it could even be a hazard to those who cut the grass. Just kidding. ;) . Anyone involved in manual labor.

[PACS Steve Carleton]

I just looked through the Uniform Regs on page 3-28 states that the

"metal belt tip will extend past the buckle between 2 to 4 inches."

Just out of curiosity, I measured my belt placement and two inches is where mine is. It doesn't stick out too much at 2" but 3-4" is ridiculously too long.

The biggest problem I have had with the uniform thus far is getting the belt buckle to remain in place until after the belt material was broken in.

I will also implore my fellow Chiefs wearing the ODU to please, please, please iron them. It looks pretty sloppy when someone shows up with a set of ODUs on freshly wrinkled from the dryer. It's not too hard to iron them, and we should be setting the example.

[FSC LANCE HOLVOET]

Being an old Jarhead, the belt issue is a moot point with me. I like the belt length its basically the same belt I had then. I think it looks good. I love the uniform however I HATE the army style sleeve roll up. Yes, I understand the whole safety thing and I can live with that. But last week I ran into another CHIEF from PSU 301. The first thing I noticed was that the sleeves are rolled Marine Corps/Navy style. WTF? Yes, I know that they go by the Navy Uniform Manual. But that was before the ODU's came out. They are not unique anymore. I'm not sure if it was an oversite or not but it needs to be corrected. Its basically the same uniform. Either one way or the other. There is no need for the PSU's to be different from the rest of the Coast Guard now.
Uniform means just that. The PSU also uses the Marine Corps style 8 sided cover. They went to all the trouble to issue the ODUs' why not go all the way and use the cover too?
While I like the end product I think from top to bottom the program was and is poorly run and administrated.

I send my ODU's to the cleaners and have then starched and pressed. My uniform manual says my uniforms will be clean, neat and pressed, mine are so are my people.

[MKC Art Bailly (ret)]

Lance I like this new uniform also and agree with you on most of your comments. Yes I agree that the chiefs should set the example but I don’t know what part of the country your in but here in this remote town of Alaska there is no dry cleaner that will do this in a timely manor. Therefore we’d have to ship our ODU’s out to be done professionally and I’m sure you know that they only gave use 4 uniforms and we cannot buy more. So sending them out is not an option for members living on an island where the only way out is a ferry or the plane. It would be great to do this but not practical however yes our uniforms must be clean, neat and ironed.

[OSC Thomas Jackson]

:confused: I don't know if I like mine or not. I work a staff job and they will not let me wear it. Mine are still in the box.

[SKC Ronald Brumble]

I think the ODU would look better with the top not tucked in.

Just my 2 cents

[OSCS Jimmy D. Belcher]

The ODUs are nice. Only change I can think of is to get rid of the velcro and replace with buttons or snaps on the side pockets. I do not use my side pockets but after a few washes they seem to lose their holding strength and the pocket sticks out.

[OSC Thomas Jackson]

There is an e-mail being passed around my office from Mr. Joeseph DeBlase (not sure where he works, assume he is a sales rep). It states: "American Apparel will stand behind any of their products and replace any poor constructed garment on a one to one exchange. Has UDC sent any failed garments back to DSCP for replacement? The velcro placement is sewn at the incorrect place on some pant flaps we have seen in the field, and some of the sewn velcro pieces not sewn with a strong enough stitch." It also goes on to say that these and other issues will be discussed at the next quality board meeting.

[BMC Ken Gouge]

Prior Army, so I would like to un-tuck the shirt too. I understand the safety issues and am fully behind having them tucked, I just wish they had informed the makers of these fine uniforms that we were gonna tuck them in.

For any quality board members or those that know some, check out how the bottom of your light blue shirt is cut. I think having less material on the sides at the bottom helps with both comfort and appearance.

On the velcro issue, mine has actually cracked and fallen off at the stitching in places. Yes I have followed the proper care instructions.

I love the fact that the blousing bands are prescribed for wear over the boot. In thearmy it was not so, and if you chose to use bands instead of tucking them in, you lost circulation in your feet by about 9am.

All in all though a 200% improvement over the garage attendant uniforms they replaced. I always thought those would have looked pretty good with an oval white patch and "bubba" stitched in red over the right pocket :) maybe a bass pro shop hat as an optional item...

[SKC Ronald Brumble]

I use the side pockets quite a bit. I don’t like using back pockets and never have. I use the side pockets for memo books and PDA when I have it with me. For me the Side pockets rule :D

One other good note, as this PCPO walks around with Charge Book in hand I can carry plenty of Pens! :D :D

[BMC Patrick Haughey]

I also like my new uniforms. I think that biggest thing that was not incorperated with the ODU was the option to embroider your name, collar devices, and cutterman pin ect... The embroidary made the uniform look a whole lot more respectable than the faded and wrinkled tapes.

[PAC Darrell Wilson (Ret)]

Being prior service and having worn BDU's for 5 years I can say without any reservations that the tops on these things were not designed to be tucked in. We always have to be different though. Our people would all look much more uniform in size and shape if the tops were ironed nicely and untucked. The other services all wear theirs untucked. I dont buy the safety line one bit. I was a tank mechanic and wore mine while I crawled all in, under and around track vehicles without ever getting stuck or caught because of the uniform. One look at the top tells you it was not made or designed to be tucked in. Dumb! Dumb! Dumb!
What really gets me is every single person I talk to thinks it should be untucked so who decided to tuck it in? If 95% thinks it should be untucked, then lets make it so.

[BMCS Dennis Endicott ret]

Yeah!!!!!!!

[SKC Ronald Brumble]

Word


The answer to your question about who decided?

Well I dont think I have to answer that do I? I think we all know.

[MKC Tony Balcer]

I like the ODU but would like to see a couple of revisions.
1. I agree with Mark- The belt tab should be like the old "brass on brass"
2. I would like to see the stitch on the pants pocket removed. Being down in the Engine Room, I catch the damn thing on everything.
3. The shirt tuck has got to go! I think the consideration here was for folks like me that are down in the ER and having loose clothing around operating machinery. This is understandable, but the solution here would be to remove the blouse in these types of situations.
4. I want to be able to wear my Combo cover with this uniform. Like my first Chief did when I was a kid. He wore that darn thing with every uniform. I don't think he owned a ball cap. Talk about pride in being a Chief! This is the kind of message we should be sending to our junior folks.
MKC Tony Balcer
abalcer@cgctahoma.uscg.mil

[PAC Darrell Wilson (Ret)]

Well said Tony. I also like your thoughts on wearing the cover, that would be nice.

[PACS Steve Carleton]

Sorry guys,

I just can't get onboard with the Combo Cover with the ODU. It will look absolutely ridiculous with the ODU.

[MKC JD Ledlow]

I'm with Steve on this one. Back in the days you were talking about that was the standard, but these days I believe if we go traipsing around in ODU's with a combo cover on it would look funny. I do agree that the shirt (blouse) needs to be un-tucked, it would look more professional in my opinion. Overall I really like the uniform, its a nice change. :)

[OSC Thomas Jackson]

I still can't wear mine in the office (Staff Job). I don't think the Combo Cover would be appropriate with the ODU's for one reason. The ODU's are designed as a utility uniform and replaced the old working blues, therefor the Ball Cap should be worn. The Combo Cover was intended for use with SDB's, Trops, etc. I don't think you'd want to wear your combo cover in the engine room or top side while working on a piece of equipment.

[BMCM Stuart S. Slesh]

Regardless of how you think that it looks......the Combo Cover was a staple in the Chief's uniform. I knew people who wore it with shorts and white socks.....or in the small boat with a Mustang. That hat was always part of the Chief's uniform, hence the making of hat boxes, and there were certain people who could be identified from a distance. It was part of our heritage and history, and was discarded without a second thought.

[MKC Tony Balcer]

BMCS,
Well said. I also feel that it was tied in to the hatbox and as a sense of pride in being a Chief. I like the new improved uniform and feel it has come a long way from the old “Gas Station Attendant” uniforms we wore. But there are still a few improvements we could make, as previously stated. I asked all the guys in the mess if they would wear it if they could. All of them would, if for no other reason, to show unity in the Mess and pride in being a Chief.
Tony
abalcer@cgctahoma.uscg.mil

[MKCS Jon Menze]

I like the ODU also. It is a lot more comfortable than the old uniform. I would like to everyone that my unit was selected to test yet another version of the ODU. Here are some of the changes to the one we are testing. Better color fast, stain resistance (something us MKs need), they put a CG shield on the left breast pocket in black thread, replaced the adjusting straps on the pants with elastic. The uniform is not that bad. The only thing on the test uniform that I don't like is the elastic waist band. If anyone has any comments about the uniform they would like put in, we should be putting in our comments about the uniform soon and I would be happy to include them. As for the Combo cover, when I one of my first chages sheets asked me what the hat of a Chief was and where I would fine that reg. I knew what the hat was but could not find the reg. Some of the Chiefs I know were pretty upset that when the new uniform regs came out that it was no longer in there and when the asked the powers that be (Officers) were told it does not look good with the ODUs so we took it out. I believe that the Chiefs should have been asked about this or at least told that it was being taken away. Just my feelings about the Hat.

Jon

[PAC Darrell Wilson (Ret)]

Jon, please.......get them to change the rule on tucking the top in. The one thing I hate every morning is tucking the top in.

[BMCS MICHAEL PERKINS]

Jon,
Get rid of the tucked in shirts, there is no need. What is up with the elastic waist bands?

[MKCS Jon Menze]

I will put it in to them. Don't know if it will do any good but I will try. As for the elastic in the waist band, I have know idea were they came up with that one. When they handed them out that was the first thing I told them was the elastic will wear out and then look like crap. I like the draw straps.

[MKC Jo Ledbetter]

Jon - Ask the uniform quality control board to use "Liquid nails" or an equivalent on the little square velcro pocket fasteners. They're falling apart or falling off in the washing machine.

[ITC Pete Slanina]

Jo,

You're right on the money with the velcro...IT SUCKS!!! They should have used buttons on all the pockets. The side pockets look like @$$ when the velcro fails every couple of months. :mad:


On another subject,
As far as ironing goes I used to starch the Hell out of them but now just steam them and they hold up just fine and look great, especially the collars, which have the tendency to roll under. I just wish they had some cammo shading to hide fading and dirt.

I could go either way on tucking them in. Either way you slice it they're better than being mistaken for a gas pumper.

I'd love to wear the combo cover and I'd be quite proud to sport it but it just doesn't go with the ODU.

My two cents.

[ETCS Michael Backs]

Jon,

I've also got to ditto that tucking in is a pain and does not look as professional as having the top out like ALL the rest of the military services. I had heard that it was because of the supposed safety of not having the loose cloth around rotating machinery. But you can always remove the top if that is an issue.

Also the velcro is wearing out way too fast.

Good luck,

Mike

[BMCM Stuart S. Slesh]

Under the give an inch take a mile banner.........They just authorized the hot weather uniform down here and you should have seen the response. Not to brag, but I'm the only person I've seen wear what is actually authorized. Too many people didn't bother to look it up in the Regs or read the message that authorized it. They just heard "hot weather uniform" and went with it. Did you know that uni means one ? One form. Most people down here don't.

[ETC Jeff Rosenberg]

What about ditching the combo cover in lieu of E-7 and above (enlisted only) wear the shirt untucked?

[BMC Chris Gempp]

jeff,
Sounds like a plan to me, RHIP

[BMCS Mike Ellis]

Man, Stuart you hit on a hot topic in my book! The infamous hot wx boat crew uniform. That has been a big issue I tackled here. They all thought that it was the hot wx office, messcook, or comms watch uniform. WRONG. Only if you're in the current duty section, and assigned to a boat crew. If you're not, then you're welcome to remove your blouse WHILE engaged in a task outside in the heat.
Another issue is that guys were only buying one set of shorts and wearing them everyday! Combine that with the faded, stretched out, nasty blue T-Shirt and I was none too impressed with that program. We're in compliance now, but I'm sure I lost a few points in my approval polls.

[SKC Raymond Kurtz]

I really do not know if this was addressed, but, something occured to me this morning while I drove on base and observed two different people wearing the ODUs. One was the ideal of the recruiting poster, he looked good in the ODU, even with the blouse tucked in. This guy was trim and wore the uniform well. The other guy had a problem about the midsection, he looked rather sloppy in the ODU.

The point I am trying to make is that perhaps the powers that be expect everyone that wears the ODU look just like a recruiting poster. Wearing the blouse not tucked in would help to even the playing field, so to speak.

Raymond

[PACS Steve Carleton]

The only problem is that some of those men with the middle aged spread would look like they were in a maternity uniform -- guess we need to crack down on the weight standards...Oh wait, we already put together a half-@$$ weight program

[PACS Steve Carleton]

Recently, the LANTAREA Gold Badge held a meeting for interested peple to run through some of the notes from the recent Uniform Board -- final results are pending on a bunch of things.

Yep, the issue of untucking the ODU was a big item. I learned a lot as to why we can't just untuck and go on our merry way.

Apparently, when the original design came out, someone thought it would be a good idea to tuck them in. In order to do this, a modification was made to the blouse that removed 3 inches of fabric from up near the armpit area. People said looks good, and patterns were sent to the manufacturer to pull this off.

In order for the ODU to be untucked, the fabric would need to be added back in to the pattern -- see Cammies/BDUs,etc. they have more fabric in the tops.

There are a bunch of ODUs that have been manufactured and sitting in a warehouse somewhere that have been purchased by the CG that would need to be depleted prior to making a change/modification as simple as untucking.

Who knew it wasn't just an easy fix?

[DCCS Brett Wickett]

I'm sorry, but that sounds like a perfectly lame a&& accuse. Let me think about this, add material under my arms so I can untuck my shirt. Yep sounds ligit to me. Oh well, I guess we yelled long enough we got out of the fuel jockey uniform and into ODU's, so we asked for them, now we wear them...LOL

[BMCS Jim Madsen]

Does the uniform board know what "untucking" means? I don't want to pull my arms our without unbuttoning. I want to NOT have to tuck my shirt in my pants. Actually, I really don't care. However, I do agree with Brett. This is a lame excuse.
For the record: Even the "long" top has sleeve lengths that are too short for me to wear down. How about the uniform board adding some inches there?

[BMC John Phillips III]

Not sure if this has been addressed but what is the deal with those Terrel Owens shirts that everyone wants to wear? (under armor I think) Is this actually authorized or is it just the Marine Steven Seagal Teams that brought this on?

As far as the ODU untucked or tucked, I guess I prefer tucked. That might be because that is the current policy. There is a station that allows their people to wear them untucked. I was told it was their CO's preference. I don't recall reading anything about that being one of those preference options.

I might have already said this, but the ODU is 100times better looking than the old "filler-up" gas station uniform.

[SKC Raymond Kurtz]

I recently (finally?) started wearing the ODUs. It took me awhile but I am glad I did. Very comfortable and military looking. The only problem I have is blousing the trousers, I guess with time it will become easier for me.

[PACS Steve Carleton]

JP3,

Ummm, I think someone needs to re-read the Uniform Regs. If I recall, there is a provision for the "hot" weather pants (cut off trousers properly hemmed, etc...) There is also a provision for not blousing the trousers, but not to my recollection, local units units are not authorized to allow members to wear the blouse untucked.

As for the Under Armour, to the best of my knowledge is not authorized. A recent Navy Times article indicate that the USMC stopped allowing it to be worn in Iraq/Afghanista when outside the base on patrol -- they were experiencing an increase in severe burns from the melting of the "technical fabrics"

Recently our Gold Badge went over the agenda items from the recent Uniform Board and technical fabric shirts were discussed -- we will see if it comes to fruition or not.

Now, that said, I like the idea of the technical fabrics in a shirt for use on our ODUs, Under Armour does make a blended loose fitting shirt that would allow for the "wicking" properties.

[BMC Mark C. Lewis]

I wear the cold weather under armour under my dry suit. I checked with STAN Team and they are doing the same.

[BMC James M. Clark]

I wear the Under Armor short sleeve tight fitting shirt as layer one under my dry suit most of the times. If it is particularly cold out I will wear the thicker long sleeve one instead. On days when I know I'll be underway frequently and therefore changing into and out of my drysuit often, I will leave the UA shirt on under my blouse instead of changing to the prescribed cotton t-shirt. I'd love to say it makes me more prepared to respond on short notice; in reality I just get tired of changing over and over. I also have the loose weave shirt I sometimes wear (usually when I've put off laundry too long). The comfort level isn't significant enough that I would wear any of the three specifically for comfort. But then, I hardly work up a sweat at my desk...

[LT Arthur Nelson (MKC) (Ret)]

I must admit, when the ODU's first came out, I hated them; the blousing, rolling up sleeves... but now a few years of wearing them I really them much better than the work blues. They are much more professional & military looking.

[BMC John Phillips III]

JP3,

Ummm, I think someone needs to re-read the Uniform Regs. If I recall, there is a provision for the "hot" weather pants (cut off trousers properly hemmed, etc...) There is also a provision for not blousing the trousers, but not to my recollection, local units units are not authorized to allow members to wear the blouse untucked.

I agree but I was merely a visitor at the station and for me to point that out would have just created hate and discontent. Rest assured my people tuck their blouses. Ironically they all made a bigger deal out of it than I would have. It was quite satisfying.

[BMCM Stuart S. Slesh]

New talk about the ODU issue. You can use 30 money to buy those shorts because they are considered operational clothing. Talk about a collared polo for that hot weather unifrom. There are people looking into a blouse that doesn't need to be tucked in. The ones that we currently have had tapering issues. They would fall lower on the waist for some people because of the way that they're made.
One of the problems that has to be addressed, is that there is about 11 million dollars worth of uniform items in stock. Switching gears right now will have to address that.

[BMC Gene Daigle]

The 30 money is good to know. We have been all over the board at the station with uniform issues, and right now, we are stictly enforcing wearing only COMDNT authorized unifroms and the "hot WX" uniform. The ODU shorts the member has to buy at the CG Exchanges only. Not at the Army/Navy store. They end up turning purple quickly and look like as5. The shirt has to have the "US Coast Guard" in 3/4 IN white on the left chest, with 3/4 safety steel toes boots, and crew cut socks. When the members are wearing body armor, we authorize them to wear the Navy Blue or Black Under Armor as the first layer, then the body armor, then the t-shirt. Body armor had to be covered even if wearing the SAR vest. As for the ODU's, they are good, but don't breath. Like them a hell of a lot better than working blue and undress blue. I agree with looking more professional and more military. One thing I would like to see is having the qualification pins being optional to be metal and not just sewn on. There should be short sleeve blouse that looks like they are just rolled up. As for having them untucked, unless they shorten them, like for me and my short self, they would hang only three inches from my knees even though I need a 44S. Broad shoulders and all. I am 5'7", witha 28" inseam and a 44 chest and a 32 sleeve. Those damn French Canadians.

[DCCS Keith Wilbee]

I like the idea of a short sleeve ODU Blouse. We had short sleeve shirts with
the old work uniform why not the ODU. Makes common sense to me. I also like the Idea of embroidering the name tapes.

[FSC Jayare Parker (Ret)]

I like the idea of short sleeves also. In my 19.5 years in I think I may have worn long sleeves maybe 60 days total at the most. I am just not a long sleeve person, I still haven't worn my ODU's with the sleeves down yet either.

Jayare