Coast Guard uniform regulations specify that only embroidered, sew-on insignia of rank is to be worn on the collars of the Operational Dress Uniform (ODU) in order to prevent any safety hazards that might be caused if a metal grade insignia should accidentally come loose as Guardsmen perform their duties. (The same rule was used for the Working Blue uniform which the ODU replaced beginning in 2000, but not for the Undress Blue.)
The embroidered Chief Petty Officer (E-7) rank insignia should be placed on the collar with the anchor’s crown (middle of the arm) facing the collar point and the top of the shank toward the collar. Center the insignia on an imaginary line that equally bisects the collar point and position the insignia so it is 1 1/8th-inch from the collar point.
A mandatory seabag item for all Guardsmen, the Operational Dress Uniform has been one of the more success uniform rollouts over the past two decades. Two other Federal uniformed services, the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration Commissioned Corps and the U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps, adopted the uniform between 2008 and 2012 (the USPHSCC mandatory ownership date for the ODU was 1 January 2015).
More Items for E-7 Chief Petty Officers
Combination Cap
Combination/Garrison Cap Device
Metal Collar Insignia
Service Stripes
Sleeve Device
Belt Buckle
Cuff Links
Tie Tack/Clasp