On 1 January 2015, all non-military specified (MilSpec) uniform items will no longer be allowed for wear on the uniform. The following items have been MilSpec’d and are required to be updated:

• PHS Cap Devices (Combination and Garrison Caps)

  Old	New

• PHS Shoulder Boards

  Old	New

• PHS Shoulder Marks (aka “soft boards”)

  Old	New

• PHS Collar Device

  Old	New

• Field Medical Readiness Badge (Full size and Miniature)

  Old	New

• Male decorated PHS belt buckle

  Old	New

• PHS Sleeve Device for the Service Dress Blues

  Old	New

• HHS Office of the Secretary Identification Badge

  New

All remaining “Corps-centric” items that have not been MilSpec’d and/or are not yet available for purchase will remain authorized, including, but not limited to:

• Female decorated PHS belt buckle
• All PHS buttons
• PHS Sleeve Device for the Female Service Dress Whites
• PHS Cufflinks
• PHS Tie Bar/Tack
• USCG-PHS Shoulder Boards/Marks and Sleeve Devices

As the seasons change from summer to fall and soon into winter, it is time to dust off and bring out the heavy coats and get them prepared for the best (or worst) Mother Nature can throw at us. Be it the All-Weather Coats, the Reefer, the Over Coat ( Bridge Coat), Windbreaker, Operational Dress Uniform (ODU) Parka, Fleece Liner*** or Utility Jacket, there are numerous methods and additions that can be worn to supplement the basic uniform. Thermal undergarments may be worn with the ODU. Most of the jackets/coats, with exception of the Reefer and Bridge Coat, come with an optional liner*. If your jacket/coat did not come with one or is a hand-me-down, liners can usually be obtained from the Navy Exchange ( NEX) or the U.S. Coast Guard Uniform Distribution Center (UDC) for a nominal fee. The All-Weather Coat, Reefer, Windbreaker Jacket and Bridge Coat are not authorized with the ODU**.



A reminder, just because you saw another member of a uniformed service wearing something or wearing it differently than the Corps, does not mean that the Corps follows the same manner of wear of that service. Check the Commissioned Corps Issuance System (CCIS) for uniform specifics and manner of wear if you have questions.

Corps officers detailed to another uniformed service, must follow the rules set forth in the Memorandum of Understanding/Agreement (MOU/A) on uniform wear. Unless specifically spelled out in the MOU/A, Corps officers are not authorized to wear uniforms of the host uniformed service, currently, the only exception is for officers detailed to t he U .S. Coast Guard. Unauthorized wear also includes off-duty unofficial wear of another service’s uniform (and yes, this does happen). This also includes the unauthorized wear of flight suits or gear when not actively engaged in a flight or in/on a flying status. However, if an officer is a member of the Civil Air Patrol, U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary or other similar organization wear of that uniform while participating in those activities may be authorized. If a Corps officer is wearing another service’s uniform on a military installation or elsewhere without authorization, the officer maybe subject to punishment under the Uniformed Code of Military Justice ( UCMJ) and/or Disciplinary Action within the Corps or other Federal laws.

• Q.
• What is the difference between the Pea Coat and the Reefer? Can I wear a Pea Coat from Wal-Mart?
  
• A.
• The key difference in the Pea Coat and the Reefer are the buttons and straps for hard shoulder boards. Junior enlisted members wear the Pea Coat, which is a heavy wool coat, that when properly tailored, comes to mid-thigh in length. The buttons on the Pea Coat are large black plastic buttons with an anchor stamped into the plastic. The Pea Coat does not have shoulder straps for hard boards. Warrant and Commissioned Officers along with senior enlisted personnel in the Navy and Coast Guard, and Commissioned Officers in the Corps and NOAA wear the coat known as the Reefer. The Reefer is worn with six gold colored 35 or 40 line PHS buttons (3 buttons in a vertical line on each side of the opening of the coat). The buttons may either be attached by stitching or metal bodkins, depending on who manufactured the coat or when. Additionally, black cloth tabs/straps are placed on each side of the shoulder for placement of the hard boards. The Reefer must meet the military specifications set forth by Navy Clothing and Textile Research Facility and the Defense Supply Center.
  
  A “Reefer” made from a modified commercially available Pea Coat is not acceptable for wear as a uniform item (i.e., purchasing a Pea Coat from a local big box store and replacing the buttons with PHS buttons).
• Q.
• Is there a difference in the male and female Over Coat (Bridge Coat)?
  
• A.
• Yes, as is with the male and female shirts and pants, the openings of the male and female Over Coat and the Reefer are different, and not interchangeable.
•  

• Female Over Coat	Male Over Coat

  Female Reefer	Male Reefer

  
  
• Q.
• Are male officers allowed to wear a plain long/short sleeved white dress shirt without epaulettes and soft boards while in the Service Dress Blue?
  
• A.
• No, the male officer’s dress shirt, according to Commissioned Corps Instruction (CCI) CC421.01, “Uniforms for Male Officers”, states the shirt must be “made of plain white authorized fabric, with long sleeves and plain buttons, convertible or French cuffs. Must have epaulettes for soft shoulder marks. A single left breast pocket without a pocket flap is required. Collar points measure no more than 3-1/4 inches and have a medium spread. Collar devices, ribbons or name tag shall not be worn with this shirt.” The windbreaker jacket or sweater may be removed in the officers immediate workspace. Officers may not wear the All Weather Coat, Reefer or Bridge Coat with only the white dress shirt.
• Q.
• What are the recommended methods for keeping uniforms and insignia in a serviceable condition?
  
• A.
• Uniforms shall be kept scrupulously clean, with lace, devices, and insignia bright and free from tarnish and corrosion. All uniforms must be in a serviceable condition at all times. A uniform is considered unserviceable if it is or has, but not limited to: missing buttons, defective zippers, broken laces, obvious stains, tears, holes, pilling of uniform material or rips. Per CC412.01, Subsection 6-5(f): Care of the Uniform. The longest service of the various uniform articles can be attained only by proper care and maintenance. Even new, properly fitted uniforms will not continue to look their best or keep their shape unless cared for properly. Carrying large or heavy objects in pockets will quickly destroy the shape of the best uniform. Uniforms should be stored on hangers. If uniforms are to be stored for a long time, they should be cleaned thoroughly, and then packed away in a cloth garment bag with a packet of desiccant (drying agent) for maximum preservation. Dry cleaning and/or machine-washing uniforms should occur frequently. A highly pressed uniform looks best. Uniforms should never be worn with visible stains. Embroidered insignia may be kept bright by occasional scrubbing with a nailbrush and a diluted ammonia solution. This should be done as soon as a tarnished look is noted. Metal insignia should be cleaned with regular soap to look bright. Uniforms that have a “shiny” appearance due to over-starching or being ironed or dry cleaned at the improper temperature are considered unserviceable.
• Q.
• May I wear a civilian coat, jacket, sweater, or etc. with my uniform?
  
• A.
• No, the only authorized uniform items are listed in CCIS. If an item is not specifically listed, it is not authorized. As there are no non-uniform items (other than shoes, handbags and other miscellaneous items) in the uniform policies, civilian attire is not authorized while in uniform.