USCG Customs & Courtesy

USCGCustoms & Courtesy

Enlisted

E-1 to E-3 - Junior enlisted personnel are broken up into five definable groups with colored insignia stripes designating with which group they belong.

E-4 to E-6 are considered to be non-commissioned officers (NCOs), and are specifically called petty officers in the Coast Guard.

E-7 to E-9 E-7 to E-9 are still considered NCOs, but are considered a separate community within the Coast Guard, much like the U. S. Navy. They have separate berthing and dining facilities (where feasible). They serve as the day to day leaders and managers of the enlisted workforce, and routinely serve in command cadre positions.

Warrant Officers W-2 W-3 W-4 Highly qualified enlisted personnel from E-6 through E-9 with a minimum of eight years experience can compete each year for appointment as Warrant Officers (WO). Successful candidates are chosen by a board and then commissioned as Chief Warrant Officers (CWO-2) in one of sixteen specialties. Over time Chief Warrant Officers may be promoted to CWO-3 and CWO-4. Chief Warrant Officers may also compete for the Chief Warrant Officer to Lieutenant program.

Officers

Junior Officers: Ensign, Lieutenant(JG), Lieutenant, and Lieutenant Commander Ensign O-1 LTJG O-2 LT O-3 LT CDR O-4

Senior Officers: Commander and Captain Captain: O-6 Commander: O-5

Flag Officers: Rear Admiral lower half, Rear Admiral, Vice admiral, and Admiral Rear Adm: O-7 Rear Adm 2: O-8 Vice Adm: O-9 Admiral: O-10

Addressing Officers When addressing Junior Officers , always prefix their surname with their title, such as : Good morning Mr. Smith, or Ms. Smith. For Senior and Flag officers always prefix their surname with their rank title or refer to them using their rank only, such as: Good morning Commander, or Good morning Commander Smith.

Saluting

Lets take a look at some general guidelines: The # 1 rule of thumb is: If it out ranks you, salute it, If you aren't sure, salute it. You should always salute a Medal of Honor recipient no matter what the rank. They wear, regardless of Military Branch, this ribbon: How do you know who or what to salute?

In the Auxiliary we do not hold a rank, but, our insignia does identify the office we hold. Most members of the armed forces are unaware that we have no rank and therefore, when on a military installation we are seen as Coast Guard officers with rank.

A salute is required when: Saluting is not required between Auxiliarists. Saluting is proper courtesy for Auxiliarists when greeting commissioned officers of the Armed Forces (to include National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and U.S. Public Health Service (USPHS) uniformed officers, who serve with the Armed Forces). Auxiliarists, when out of doors, in uniform and covered, should: • As a courtesy, initiate, or return a hand salute to commissioned officers. • Return any and all salutes given. • Salute the National Ensign: • When the flag is raised or lowered at morning or evening colors. • When the flag passes in a parade. • When the National Anthem or Taps is played.

Most frequently observed saluting errors: Failing to hold salute. Failure to look at the person being saluted. Failure to look at the colors. Failure to stand at attention. Failure to have fingers, hand, and arm in proper position during saluting. • Most frequently observed gross saluting errors: • Saluting with a cigarette in the hand or mouth. • Saluting with left hand in a pocket. • Saluting in a casual manner.

Colors

Ceremony of Colors • On all Coast Guard shore commands and ships (not under way) colors is performed twice a day, 0800 and sunset. • At 0755 and 5 minutes before sunset "first call " is sounded on the bugle or by boatswain's mate pipes. • At 0800 "attention" is sounded by the bugle. Then on the loudspeaker "Attention to Colors." • At that time the national ensign is hoisted smartly. • The band will play the national anthem or the bugler will play "to the colors." • If you are in ranks, you will be called to attention and/or present arms. • If you are in uniform, but not in ranks, face the colors and salute until "carry on" is sounded. • If you are in a vehicle, stop and sit at attention, do not salute. If conditions permit, the senior person gets out and salutes. • If you are a passenger in a boat, remain at attention, seated or standing. The boat officer or coxswain will salute for the boat. • At sunset: "first call" will be sounded at five till. At sunset "Attention" is sounded and the band will play the national anthem. • The flag is lowered slowly so it reaches the bottom and is balled up within the field of blue on the last note of music. • If no band, the bugler will play "Retreat", you face the ensign at attention and hold your salute until "Carry On" is sounded. • Your behavior during evening colors is the same as that for the morning colors. • During the ceremonial posting of colors and/or the playing of the National Anthem, indoors and in uniform, Auxiliarists should stand at attention facing the National Ensign until the colors are posted and/or the Anthem is completed.

Observe protocol upon boarding and leaving military vessels: When boarding in uniform, stop at the top of the gangway, turn and salute the National Ensign at the stern staff, even if obscured and not visible. Then, turn and salute the Coast Guard crewmember in charge of the vessel’s quarterdeck and verbally request permission to come aboard. When departing in uniform, salute the Coast Guard crewmember in charge of the quarterdeck and verbally request permission to depart. Upon receiving permission, step onto the gangway, turn and salute the National Ensign, and then proceed ashore. If not in uniform, follow the above procedures, but do not render salutes. The above procedure is followed even when the National Ensign is not flying, such as before morning colors or after evening colors.

References: USCGCustoms & Courtesy: http://www.uscg.mil/hq/cg3/cg3pcx/cginfo/uniforms/custom.asp AUXMAN: http://www.uscg.mil/directives/cim/16000-16999/CIM_16790_1F.pdf

USCG Customs & Courtesy