Translating the Coast Guard uniform

Posted by LT Connie Braesch, Monday, July 18, 2011

Coast Guard members in dress uniform

A tactical law enforcement team is inspected during a change of command ceremony in San Diego. Many of the members are proudly wearing the Tactical Law Enforcement Insignia above their ribbons. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Jetta H. Disco.

When you see a Coast Guardsman, you can’t help but notice the ribbons, devices and insignias adorning the dress uniform. These decorations translate much like a foreign language or the signal flags on a ship – recounting the member’s years of service and accomplishments.

Member receives the Tactical Law Enforcement Insignia

Lt. Shaun Vaccaro is presented the Tactical Law Enforcement Insignia at the Deployable Operations Group Headquarters, July 7, 2011. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Michael Anderson.

While the brightly colored ribbons symbolize customary personal honors, awards and distinguished service, the more rare shiny, metallic insignias represent special qualifications and assignments. Whether it’s a commanding officer, command chief, marine safety specialist, cutterman, aviator, diver or a coxswain designation, the device is more than just a pin on the uniform. Like the symbols on a nautical chart, the insignias are your guide to recognizing the talent, experience and leadership necessary to build America’s Coast Guard.

One of the Coast Guard’s newest uniform insignias, the Tactical Law Enforcement Insignia, recognizes the Service’s commitment to maritime security. The events on September 11 nearly a decade ago affected every American and changed the nation. The Coast Guard responded – adapting its missions, training its people and working to push our maritime borders outward in order to detect, deter, disrupt and intercept terrorist threats across the maritime domain.

Maritime Safety and Security Team training

Maritime Safety and Security Team members conduct hook and climb training in Boston. MSSTs provide enhanced port safety and security and law enforcement capabilities to economic or military significant ports. U.S. Coast Guard photo.

Similar to the development of the Maritime Law Enforcement rating and the evolution of the Coast Guard Deployable Specialized Forces, the Tactical Law Enforcement Insignia continues to demonstrate the importance of this skill set in our Service.  Members who prove proficiency, receive prescribed training and earn required experience in law enforcement are authorized to wear this hard-earned device.

So, the next time you see Coast Guard men or women in uniform, appreciate the specialized training and service they performed to wear the ribbons, device and insignias adorning their uniform. Feel free to shake their hand, thank them for their service and ask about their careers – because each member has a unique story to tell about their contributions to keeping America’s waterways safe and secure.

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  • Karen

    Dear Lt. Braesch,
    Yet again, a most informative and positive article. Thank you for your work!
    A quick thought…any chance of getting a photo with some women in it? Coast Guardswomen are amazing!
    Karen
    Amherst,
    MA

  • Lt. Connie Braesch

    Karen,

    The Coast Guard has thousands of pictures of Coast Guard women in the field in the Coast Guard Visual Information gallery. You can go the USCG homepage and click on the imagery tab. Thank you for reading the blog.

    Regards,
    Lt. Connie Braesch
    Office of Public Affairs

  • aflapr

    Can we please replace “The events on September 11 nearly a decade ago” with “The terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001″? It is more accurate and proper. Why the vague/mealy mouthed language?

  • LTJG Katherine Gaudette

    Thank you for engaging in this dialogue. When referencing the events of September 11th, we intended to encompass everything that happened as a result of September 11th, such as the grief, ongoing recovery, change in our nation’s security, etc.

    Regards,
    Lt. j.g. KC Gaudette
    Office of Public Affairs

  • Victor Nazarian

    With respect,
    I think I have to agree with aflapr (and others) that the phrase “The events on September 11…” and other similar phrases really do not properly describe the events, aftermath and motivation that is directly related to the terrorist attacks. It would seem much like calling the Revolutionary War, “The events relating to actions during and subsequent to 1776.”

    It is understandable that after much time some commonly used phrases such as, “The Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor” have been shortened to “Pearl Harbor” and in time I’m sure 9/11 will simply live on as 9/11 in the future. For now, while we still have men and women in uniform fighting and hunting some of these terrorists it would seem more appropriate to use the longer, more accurate and more descriptive “Terrorist attacks” instead of the vague “Events on…” wording.

    My 2 cents,
    Victor Nazarian
    USCG Aux.

  • Jeff Grant

    In my opinion the United States Coast Guard has proven itself to be among the most adaptable military forces in the world.
    When I served, from 1968-1974, our mission was comprised of SAR, Ocean Station Patrols and assistance to NOAA meteorologists and oceanographers in the collection of statistical data. Viet Nam was in full swing back then and provided a free tour of Southeast Asia to me and my ship mates aboard USCGC SHERMAN (WHEC-720) as part of Coast Guard Squadron 3. Back then our military presence was about 40,000. Our equipment was, with the exception of the newly-minted 210s and 378s, world war II Navy hand-me-downs, some of which were still oil-fired, steam driven ships.
    Today’s Coast Guard is a far cry from the “Old Guard”. With a, truly, world wide presence and the advent of new technologies the Coast Guard is doing much, much more with less manpower and a modernized fleet. The level of training and required professionalism is more demanding as is the diversity of the Coast Guard’s mission.
    I can’t express, sufficiently, how proud I am of todays’ Coast Guard young men and women. Their skill sets are WAY up. They appear to be making rank younger and advancing farther.
    I offer my thanks for a continued “job well done”. Thank you all for your service to our country.
    P.S. Still like 13 button bell bottoms and the old style cover, (Donald Duck style).
    Sincerely, Coast Guard Geezer

  • CG2

    LT Braesch,

    Curious to know how someone who rides a desk earns the TACLET insignia? Also, since when are we allowed to wear the metal insignia on ODUs?

    It might be of some value to our service if, as public affiars specialists, you ensure the images you utilize for stories project the proper image of the service. Just a thought…

  • LT Connie Braesch

    CG2, the Tactical Law Enforcement Insignia was previously only worn by those assigned to a tactical law enforcement team. In recognition of the growth of the U.S. Coast Guard’s deployable specialized forces and their role in homeland security, the insignia is now authorized for wear by any member who serves at these units and completes the necessary qualifications. Lt. Vaccaro met all of the requirements when he was assigned to Maritime Safety and Security Team San Diego (91109) from 2004 to 2007 and, under the new guidance, is authorized to wear the permanent insignia.

    During a pinning ceremony, the metal insignia is used and Lt. Vaccaro was wearing the uniform of the day. For routine wear, the member will tailor the Operational Dress Uniform to have the cloth insignia as outlined in the Coast Guard Uniform Regulations Manual.

    Regards,
    Lt. Connie Braesch
    Coast Guard public affairs

  • LT Todd Bagetis

    Thank you Connie for the great artical! Keep up the great work and hope to see you soon.

    Todd

  • Bruce

    Way to go Connie and Todd, i’m proud of you both.

  • Leo Fierro.

    Semper Paratus