Replacing the Auxiliary ball cap

Q: If I need to replace my Auxiliary ball cap, can I purchase one from a commercial vendor?

A: Auxiliarists may use commercial sources for buying uniforms and insignia, except Auxiliary ball caps.  Auxiliary ball caps may only be obtained from the following sources: The Auxiliary Center (AUXCEN or ShopAuxiliary) or the Coast Guard Exchange System (CGES).  (AUXMAN, Ch. 10, B.4.)

Since we don’t expect to find Auxiliary ball caps at the CGES, that pretty much limits our source to AUXCEN.  (If you purchase a ball cap at your District Store, it probably came from AUXCEN, and would be authorized.)

Although ball caps from any other source are no longer authorized for wear with any Auxiliary uniform, most of our current ball caps were purchased via AUXCEN and those do not have to be replaced.

Even though originally purchased from AUXCEN, ball caps with embroidered/sew on visor ornamentation are no longer authorized as of 12/31/2012. Auxiliarists must wear either the metal office collar insignia or the member collar insignia.

In summary: If your ball cap came from a commercial vendor, it is no longer authorized.