Operational Dress Uniform

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Operational Dress Uniform (ODU) is the normal work uniform of the United States Coast Guard and the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary.

The Coast Guard introduced the new "Operational Dress Uniform" (ODU) uniform in 2004 to replace the winter and summer "Undress Duty" uniform. Resembling law enforcement SWAT fatigues, the ODU uniforms resemble the old-style Battle Dress Uniforms, but with the lower pockets on the blouse being eliminated and the uniform being worn tucked into the trousers, similar in nature to the old-style Cold War-era fatigues. The sleeves can be worn "folded up" and the trousers "bloused" into the boots, with the ODU black belt and blackend buckle being worn with the metal tip 2 to 4 inches from the buckle, another Marine Corps regulation. The dark blue Coast Guard unit ballcap is worn with this uniform. The ODU also has all of its insignia sewn on, eliminating the chance of puncture wounds created by the pins if the individual suffers a blow to the chest while wearing a PFD.

A recent issue of the Reservist magazine was devoted to a detailed and easy to understand graphical description of all the authorized uniforms.