United States Power Squadrons® Operations Manual Page B-1 Appendix B PART ONE ... THE UNIFORM [B.1] United States Power Squadrons uniform [B.35] Squadron level [B.2] Purpose of the uniform [B.36] District level [B.3] Uniform categories [B.37] National level [B.4] Dress code [B.38] Insignia of position [B.5] The uniform jacket [B.39] Sleeve stripes (braid) [B.6] Long-sleeved shirt [B.40] Squadron sleeve stripes [B.7] Short-sleeved shirt [B.41] District sleeve stripes [B.8] Headgear [B.42] National sleeve stripes [B.9] Shoes [B.43] Consistency of tridents and stripes [B.10] Belt [B.44] Merit marks [B.11] Tie [B.45] Shoulder tabs [B.12] Gloves [B.46] Past-officer tabs [B.13] Women members [B.47] Mutually-exclusive insignia [B.14] Purse [B.48] Squadron sleeve insignia [B.15] United States Power Squadrons blazer [B.49] District sleeve insignia [B.16] Accessory clothing [B.50] National sleeve insignia [B.17] United States Power Squadrons emblem [B.51] Grade and skill level insignia [B.18] Blazer and cap device [B.52] Design [B.19] Formal squadron emblem [B.53] Insigne for educational achievement [B.20] Model design [B.54] Insigne for educational proficiency [B.21] Designs [B.55] Insigne for senior member [B.22] Name plate [B.56] Insigne for life member [B.23] Sash [B.57] Uniform cap insignia [B.24] Ancillary attire [B.58] Buttons [B.25] Informal or casual attire [B.59] Name tags [B.26] Insignia [B.60] Miscellaneous United States Power [B.27] Membership pin Squadrons patches and insignia [B.28] Some exceptions [B.61] Incidental insignia [B.29] 25-year pin [B.62] Aides to the chief commander [B.30] Life member pin [B.63] Jewelry [B.31] 50-year pin [B.64] Boat insignia [B.32] Officer tags [B.65] Front license plates [B.33] Merit mark tabs [B.66] Service club signs [B.34] Insignia of rank [B.67] VSC insignia B.1 The uniform. United States Power Squad- the uniform provides identification and recognition rons® has adopted a yachting-style uniform to add of the wearer both within and without the organiza- dignity and uniformity to official appearances of tion. In lieu of the uniform, active members may members. Yachtsmen have worn standard dress for wear the regulation blazer with a distinctive United many years and, while United States Power Squad- States Power Squadrons emblem. In addition, cer- rons has introduced some unique features, much of tain United States Power Squadrons emblems may its uniform code conforms to those traditions. be worn on casual attire such as shirts, windbreak- Designed in traditional yachting style, but with ers and caps. This chapter describes those items in unique United States Power Squadrons insignia, detail. The uniform, blazer and insignia of United 2020 Page B-2 United States Power Squadrons® Operations Manual States Power Squadrons may be worn only by per- as the “dress” uniform. The other uniforms, C sons who are currently members of United States through F, are the “operational” uniforms and rep- Power Squadrons, except that a life member pin resent combinations of shirt styles with either black may be worn for life. No insignia other than those or white trousers/skirts; selection of the proper one prescribed in this chapter are to be worn on the is a function of the climate and nature of the activ- United States Power Squadrons uniform or blazer. ity of the day. Men’s and women’s uniforms, while Refer to Part Two for more information. obviously different, follow the same general pat- terns. While some squadrons have a tradition of uni- form wear, there is no requirement that any mem- B.4 Dress code. At official functions, a dress ber buy or wear any uniform. Although most code (similar to what is called “uniform of the day” members will never wear a uniform, those who so in the military) is prescribed by the presiding offi- choose will want to do so correctly. cer. Members are encouraged to wear this uniform, but may certainly wear other attire suitable for the B.2 Purpose of the uniform. The United occasion. Color guards may wear a uniform differ- States Power Squadrons uniform is worn in the ent from the one prescribed if such is dictated by more formal and official settings. On it a member the officer in charge. may display insignia of his or her administrative and educational achievements, including rank, Something to consider: adding, combining or grade and merit marks. omitting uniform articles in a way not consistent with specifications is not authorized. The jacket is The uniform is most frequently worn: to remain buttoned whenever worn, except in • When representing United States Power private. The jacket is never removed when a bow Squadrons, or one of its districts or squadrons tie is worn. at external functions or when speaking to the Note that if the United States Power Squadrons public or a private group. standard long sleeved shirt is worn, uniform A or B • At Governing Board and annual meetings of with four-in-hand or crossover tie becomes United States Power Squadrons. uniform F or C when the jacket is removed. The • At formal and semi-formal district or squadron wearer would then be “out of uniform.” The social affairs. wearing of a United States Power Squadrons • At district business and social functions such uniform other than the one prescribed is in poor as conferences and rendezvous. taste. • By flag officers at regular squadron meetings, • At funerals, where United States Power Chaplains may substitute the ecclesiastical Squadrons honors are being paid to the black shirt and white collar when wearing uniform deceased. A or B. Although the appropriate uniform may be The cap should be worn by color guards and at worn by any member at a meeting where one is formal outdoor occasions. It may, however, be prescribed, the blazer or appropriate civilian dress removed for normal “back and forth” activities. is more commonly worn by the general member- ship at regular squadron meetings, business meet- B.5 The uniform jacket for men (once ings or similar activities. referred to as the “blue uniform”) is generally known as the regulation yachting uniform, shade B.3 Uniform categories. Several styles of uni- 3346, with buttons of United States Power Squad- form are provided to allow for different circum- rons design. The uniform jacket for women is the stances and climate. Two of these, uniforms “A” female naval officer's uniform jacket with buttons and “B”, are formal and when worn with a bow tie of United States Power Squadrons design or, alter- serve as the counterpart of a tuxedo. With a four- natively, the navy woman officer's service four but- in-hand or crossover tie they should be considered 2020 United States Power Squadrons® Operations Manual Page B-3 ton coat. For both men and women, uniform A uses on the regulation long-sleeved shirt. A tie is not black trousers/skirt; uniform B, white. worn with this shirt. Trousers/slacks worn by women members are The women’s short-sleeved shirt is similar to fly-front with side seam pockets, without belt or the long-sleeved shirt (either version) but with cuffs. They are the same material and color as the open neck. jacket, above. The skirt is six-gore, A-line, of a length below the knee. The black skirt is the same Grade, senior member and officer insignia (but material and color as the jacket, above. The white not merit marks or braid) may be worn as provided skirt is made of washable polyester gabardine, elsewhere in this section. lined with washable fabric. When a bow tie is called for in the dress code, women may wear a B.8 Headgear. The men's formal uniform cap long skirt of style, fabric and color consistent with is the traditional formal yachting cap with black uniform A or B, as specified. visor, white top, black United States Power Squad- rons buttons and black cord chin-strap. Officer For both men and women members, a plain insignia may be worn as shown in the tailor’s long-sleeved white dress shirt may be worn (and is guide. Refer to Part Two for more information. recommended) with uniforms A and B in lieu of a regulation shirt. The women’s hat is a navy-style woman's hat (combination) with white cover and black brim, fit- B.6 Long-sleeved shirt. The men's long- ted with United States Power Squadrons cap sleeved shirt, worn with uniforms C and F, is a device. It is worn straight on. Officer insignia may white shirt of preshrunk fine combed cotton or syn- be worn as shown in the tailor’s guide Refer to Part thetic fibers with a collar shaped and convexed Two for more information. over the shoulder. It is coat-style with seven simu- lated pearl buttons in front and simulated pearl-but- The formal cap and the women’s hat are worn ton barrel cuffs (French cuffs are not appropriate.) only with the uniform not with the blazer or casual Shoulder straps (epaulets) of the same material are attire. attached to the shirt with United States Power Squadrons gilt buttons. There are two breast pock- An informal cap (“baseball” or “flattopper” ets with flaps fitted with similar gilt buttons. style) may be worn by men or women with uni- Grade, senior member, merit mark and officer forms C, D, E, F and G when engaged in on-the- insignia may be worn as provided elsewhere in this water activities on or around boats where the for- section.