The Operational Dress Uniform (ODU) is the normal work uniform of the United States Coast Guard, the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Commissioned Officer Corps, and the U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps (PHSCC). It is also one of the uniforms worn by the New York Naval Militia. [1]
The Coast Guard introduced the new "Operational Dress Uniform" (ODU) uniform in 2004 to replace the "Working Blue" and "Undress Blue" uniforms (winter and summer variants). Resembling law enforcement SWAT fatigues, the first generation of ODU differed substantially from the then-current Battle Dress Uniform in that the blouse lacked lower pockets and was intended to be worn tucked into the trousers. The blouse sleeves were allowed to be worn rolled up or down according to personal preference. The trousers featured large cargo packets with buttoned closures and were worn bloused above the boots (or straight legged if worn with boat shoes). A dark blue Coast Guard unit ballcap was worn with this uniform.
A 2006 issue [2] of the Reservist magazine [3] was devoted to a detailed and easy-to-understand graphical description of all the authorized uniforms.
In 2008, a new generation of the ODU was introduced and gradually replaced the tucked version through 2012. This second generation featured an untucked shirt blouse, and was therefore unofficially known as the "Untucked ODU." The blouse featured a Coast Guard insignia embroidered in black on the right breast pocket and the trouser cargo pocket flaps.
In 2008, ODUs were adopted by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Commissioned Corps, replacing the U.S. Navy working khakis.
From the 1980s until the late 2000s, Coast Guard units engaged in combat operations or otherwise deployed overseas generally wore the U.S. Navy Combat Utility Uniform (the Navy version of the Battle Dress Uniform). When the Navy replaced the CUU with the Navy Working Uniform Type II and Type III, circa 2009, the Coast Guard followed suit.
In 2015, the ODU uniform was adopted as the daily work uniform of the United States Public Health Service Commissioned Corps, replacing the Battle Dress Uniform. [4]
In August 2016, the United States Navy announced it was eliminating the Navy Working Uniform Type I in favor of the Type III as its standard working uniform ashore. The Type I has earlier been found to not be suitable for shipboard use and the Navy began developing a standard uniform for sea duty. The ODU has been viewed as one potential model.
In September 2017, Coast Guard Uniform Board 47 announced several changes to the ODU. Notably, the Coast Guard insignia would no longer be embroidered on the trouser pocket flaps and that "U.S. COAST GUARD" would no longer be stenciled on the left breast of the T-shirt. Additionally, wear of the boonie hat was more widely permitted.
In November 2019, Uniform Board 48 announced authorization to develop the Next Generation Coast Guard Utility Uniform ("CGU") to replace the current ODU. The CGU will be patterned on the Navy Working Uniform Type III but will be solid blue in color. The Master Chief Petty Officer of the Coast Guard and other senior enlisted members have been photographed wear testing a prototype. The approved version, announced in late 2019, has been dubbed the "Coast Guard Working Uniform" or "CGWU."
In November 2021, the Coast Guard announced that the new CGWU will begin distribution in 2023, and the ODU would be phased out by 2025. [5]
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The Battle Dress Uniform (BDU) is a camouflaged combat uniform that was used by the United States Armed Forces as their standard combat uniform from the early 1980s to the mid-2000s. Since then, it has been replaced or supplanted in every branch of the U.S. Armed Forces.
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The Army Combat Uniform (ACU) is the current combat uniform worn by the United States Army, U.S. Air Force, and U.S. Space Force. Within U.S. Air Force and U.S. Space Force, it is referred to as the OCP Uniform, rather than the Army Combat Uniform.
Full dress uniform, also known as a ceremonial dress uniform or parade dress uniform, is the most formal type of uniforms used by military, police, fire and other public uniformed services for official parades, ceremonies, and receptions, including private ones such as marriages and funerals. Full dress uniforms typically include full-size orders and medals insignia. Styles tend to originate from 19th century uniforms, although the 20th century saw the adoption of mess dress-styled full-dress uniforms. Designs may depend on regiment or service branch. In Western dress codes, full dress uniform is a permitted supplementary alternative equivalent to the civilian white tie for evening wear or morning dress for day wear – sometimes collectively called full dress – although military uniforms are the same for day and evening wear. As such, full dress uniform is the most formal uniform, followed by the mess dress uniform.
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The OG-107 was the basic work utility uniform (fatigues) of all branches of the United States Armed Forces from 1952 until its discontinuation in 1989. The designation came from the U.S. Army's coloring code "Olive Green 107", which was the shade of dark green used on the original cotton version of the uniform. The OG-107 was superseded by the Battle Dress Uniform (BDU) throughout the 1980s, and was also used by several other countries, including ones that received military aid from the United States.
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The Khmer National Navy was the naval component of the Khmer National Armed Forces (FANK), the official military of the Khmer Republic during the Cambodian Civil War between 1970 and 1975.
The New Zealand Army uniform has changed over the years from that of the original Armed Constabulary of the 1800s to the modern Army Combat Uniform style in use by the majority of world armies today. While British Army influence has always been strong, distinctive New Zealand features have gradually developed. From 2013 the New Zealand Army uniform underwent a complete redesign with a new and distinctive camouflage pattern unique to the NZDF.
The Navy Working Uniform (NWU) is a series of military uniforms that are currently used by the United States Navy for wear by its members. The NWU is a "working" uniform, which means that it is made to a more durable and utilitarian standard, thus being worn in lieu of more formal uniforms that might get unduly damaged or dirtied in the process of normal military duties.
The Uniforms of the United States Coast Guard include dress uniforms, daily service uniforms, working uniforms, and uniforms for special situations, which have varied throughout the history of the USCG.