The Coast Guard allows its members to wear replicas of miniature ribbons that have been refashioned as a lapel pin or in the form of a rosette on civilian clothing, but certain conditions do apply.
First, the wearer should only wear lapel pins or rosettes that are based upon medals which they have actually earned (this practically goes without saying). Second, at civilian affairs classified as white tie or black tie, miniature medals rather than lapel pins or rosettes should be worn following uniform regulations for the Formal Dress (white tie) and Dinner Dress Blue/White Jacket uniforms. Otherwise, lapel pins and other stylized ornaments based on ribbons are worn on the left lapel or equivalent location.
Awarded in the name of the Commandant of the Coast Guard, the Coast Guard Meritorious Unit Commendation was established in 1973 to honor any Coast Guard unit that has distinguished itself by meritorious or valorous achievement or service not involving combat in support of Coast Guard Operations. It is the unit-level equivalent of the Coast Guard Achievement Medal issued to individuals.