Worn only by Officers and Chief Warrant Officers, the Coast Guard Male Service Dress White Uniform (SDW) is a warm-weather uniform that is worn when attending functions and ceremonies of an official, business, or social nature and the Senior Officer wishes to pay special honors to the occasion. It is also worn at parades, reviews, and evening social events. Possession of the SDW Uniform is mandatory for all Officers, including Reserve Officers on Active Duty for Operational Support for a year or more.
In addition to the Service Dress White Coat and Service Dress White Trousers, the SDW for Males features a white belt with brass buckle, white Oxford shoes and white socks, and a white Combination Cap. The standing collar means that no tie is worn with the uniform; while no shirt is prescribed for wear with the SDW for Males, our white Mandarin collar shirt makes wear of the SDW coat more comfortable and cannot be seen. Insignia is displayed with hard shoulder boards worn on the epaulettes of the SDW Coat, and white gloves may be prescribed for wear at the Commander’s discretion.
The components of the SDW form the basis of the Full Dress White and Dinner Dress White Uniforms, with the ribbons worn on the SDW replaced by large medals on the Full Dress White uniform and by miniature medals on the Dinner Dress White uniform.
You can learn more about any component of the SDW Uniform by clicking its image below to open a new browser tab that is chock-a-block with product information.