Have a Question?
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Recreational Boating Safety & Education
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- How Do I Stop Receiving "I Want A VSC" Notifications?
- Where Should the VSC Decal Be Placed?
- I was boarded by the Coast Guard. They found that some of my safety equipment was outdated. Can I get a Vessel Safety Check?
- Member Status Requirement for Becoming a VE
- Is there any thing that a Flotilla Commander can do to prohibit me from going into another AOR? Is there any other documentation in support or prohibiting working in other AORs?
- Is the new Vessel Examiner required, in the calendar year of initial qualification, to perform the 5 VSCs (on their own) in order to maintain currency?
- Do VSCs conducted as a trainee count towards the RBS insignia?
- Authorized Uniforms for Vessel Examiners
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- What is Aux policy on PE outside one's division?
- Can I include swimming as part of a public education class?
- I’ve submitted forms 7023, “Intent to Teach”, but our courses aren’t showing up in the National PE Database. Why not?
- Are There Minimum Crew Requirements for Recreational Boats?
- RBS Insignia - Eligibility Criteria
- What is the Auxiliary Paddlecraft (AUXPAD) Program?
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Member Training and Support
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IT Support
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- I Can't Get WOW II to Allow Me to "Configure Site"
- PE Course Address Won't Take in the WOW/National Public Education Calendar Dashboard? Try This
- Support of Mobile Devices Including iPad and iPhone at Auxiliary Websites
- Can I link to the CHDIRAUX web site?
- I Cannot Change My Unit's Website URL in the AuxOfficer Unit Table - Do I Need National Site Approval?
- In WOW, I Made a Change on My Home Page, and Now WOW Crashes When I Try to Browse to the Site. Help!
- On the "About this Unit" page - Email and Phone Numbers not showing.
- WOW Website Quick Checklist
- How do I add a Google Calendar to my WOW web site?
- I Can't Get WOW II to Allow Me to "Configure Site"
- WOW Website Links
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Membership
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Policies and Protocols
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- Cell Phone Use On Board Auxiliary Facilities
- Are paddleboards considered vessels?
- Personal Hydration Systems
- Use of Cell Phones and Hand Held Devices
- Traveling under CG funded travel orders
- Are There Standards For Using/Posting U.S. Coast Guard Photos/Imagery?
- Can I fly the Coast Guard Auxiliary Ensign at my home?
- What is the current policy on flotillas accepting donations of money or property?
- What is the official policy of the USCG regarding Auxiliarists claiming federal veterans preference in federal hiring decisions.
- Are Auxiliarists required to obtain a Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) in order to go onto port facilities?
- DIRECT DEPOSIT (DD) AND ELECTRONIC FUNDS TRANSFER (EFT) REQUIREMENT FOR AUXILIARISTS
- Clarification of existing policy on Vehicle Markings
- Auxiliary use of Automatic External Defibrillators (AEDs)
- Are Auxiliarists eligible for the benefits of the Soldiers and Sailors Relief Act?
- CPR and Use of AEDs
- Assignments to Duty
- Can Active Duty PQS Be Entered In AUXDATA?
- Procedure for Receiving Augmentation Service Credit in AUXDATA
- Can I Get a Waiver Based on My Military/Government/Civilian License?
- What is the policy on allowing non-Auxiliary spouses of the deceased to be aboard either Coast Guard or Auxiliary operational facilities to attend burial at sea services?
- What is the policy for using a military exchange other than a Coast Guard exchange?
- Show Remaining Articles (6) Collapse Articles
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- Going on board a military vessel.
- PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
- Coast Guard Anthem/March (Semper Paratus)
- An Auxiliary member died, what type of service can we perform?
- I'm aware that Auxiliarists hold an Office and do not salute one and other. However, sometimes when I'm in uniform and on a base an enlisted person will salute me. What should I do?
- While dining aboard a Coast Guard vessel or on an installation, are there any topics I should refrain from during meal conversation?
- What is expected of me as I board a military vessel?
- What is the flag etiquette, as it refers to the Auxiliary Ensign, Operational Ensign, Officer burgees?
- Under what conditions, if any, is it mandatory that Auxiliarists in uniform initiate salutes to either active duty or other Auxiliarists?
- While in uniform, is it required for me to maintain a salute during the Pledge of Allegiance?
- What is the correct way to arrange the Ensigns (flags) for our Flotilla meetings?
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Response Operations (Air/Surface/Radio)
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- So how do I get started in Auxiliary Aviation?
- Does a pilot have to own a facility in order to achieve air crew qualification?
- Now that pilots are able to operate however they want, and buy fuel wherever they want. Won't this lead to abuses, such as people inflating their fuel expenses?
- Why Join US Coast Guard Auxiliary Aviation?
- Is an Aircraft With a Throw-Over Yoke Acceptable as a Facility?
- Can I use my plane in Auxiliary Aviation?
- Do Civil Air Patrol qualifications count towards AUXAIR qualifications?
- Auxiliary Aviation Fuel Reimbursement Policy
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- Do hours spent on CG Crew Augmentation (Mission 26) count for a qualified Coxswain’s currency maintenance?
- Does the Coast Guard Auxiliary have an Ensign that can be used in lieu of the American Flag?
- Operational facilities that exceed 35 mph require Auxiliarists to wear 50mph rated life jackets. Operational facilities are required to carry 2 PFDs over the min. required. Must these be rated 50mph?
- While on a patrol an OPFAC comes upon a vessel which has run aground. After assessing the risk to both vessels may the facility be used to tow the stranded vessel back into safe water?
- In the Auxiliary manual Chapter 6, Section B.4 it states that active duty coxswains may be designated as QEs following procedures specified by the Director. Where can these procedures be found.
- When preparing to terminate a patrol, does the coxswain notify the OPCON that they are terminating the patrol or does (s)he request permission to terminate the patrol?
- Displaying the CGAUX ensign on a member owned vessel.
- Can a PWC be operated after dark, if it is equipped with Navigation Lights?
- Auxiliarist Coxswains/Crew and Surf Zone Operations
- Can I use an alternating Red & Yellow Strobe light as my safety light?
- Can a Facility "Speed Up and Chase Down" Speeding Boats?
- Can an officer pennant (or a past officer burgee) be flown in the absence of the Auxiliary (Blue) Ensign? i.e. On a non-facility?
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- Articles coming soon
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Uniforms and Awards
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- What size attachments go on the Annual Service Performance Award ribbons?
- I have not received my second and third Sustained Aux. Service Awards yet
- Where are the templates for Certificate of Appreciation?
- When all AUXOP courses and tests are completed, how do you apply for the AUXOP designation?
- Is the PUC a Ribbon-only award?
- Verification of Annual Service Performance Award Eligibility
- Lapel Pin Versions of Awards
- Can a Relative Wear a Deceased Member's Medals?
- Wearing Military Medals and Ribbons
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- Approval for Wearing Foreign Service Qualification Devices and Insignia
- Is there a medal & ribbon for the AFRAS Silver Medal?
- When and how is the Boat Force insignia properly worn?
- Which Public Affairs mission activity codes count towards the RBS insignia?
- Clarification of Boat Force Operations Insignia Criteria for Auxiliarists
- In the RBS Insignia program, what year is the qualification based on?
- Wearing of National Staff Identification Badge and the Academy Partner Badge
- Wearing of the Past Officer Device
- PWC Operator Badge
- Wearing Military Qualification Devices and Insignia
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- Disposing old ODUs
- Wearing of the ODU at a Flotilla Meeting
- Authorized Boots with ODU
- Can the ODU Be Ironed/"Pressed"?
- ODU Shorts and Hot Weather Uniform
- Occasions for Wearing the ODU in Public
- Wearing of Staff Officer Insignia on ODUs
- Wearing of Qualification Insignia on ODUs
- Auxiliary Sew-On Qualification Insignia
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- Can My Name Tag Have My First and Last Name?
- Uniform Inspection Program
- Wearing of the Same Uniform During Operations
- Wearing of the Vessel Examiner Patch
- Guidelines for "Unserviceable" Uniforms
- Hot Weather Uniform
- Coast Guard PT Gear
- Wearing of Name Tag on Operational Polo Shirts
- Wearing of the Auxiliary Uniform at Military Events
- Wearing of the Silver Aiguillette
- Are Uniform Costs Tax Deductible?
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Marine Safety & Environmental Protection
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Other
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Personal Hydration Systems
Posted2025-09-18
Updated2025-09-18
ByJohn Bigrow
Personal Hydration Systems (PHS) are authorized for wear as follows:
Personal Hydration Systems are considered PPE and are governed by PPE guidance. A PHS is only authorized for wear with working uniforms and shall be black when used with the Operational Dress Uniform (ODU). When worn with other work and utility uniforms, the PHS shall match the pattern. In cases where a match is not available, the color shall be black.
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