While almost all of the Aviation Engineering Chief Warrant Officers 2 through 4 rose to their positions through the enlisted ranks of Coast Guard personnel in the Aviation Maintenance Technician and Avionics Electrical Technicians, they are classified as part of the Coast Guard’s Officer Corps and thus follow many of the uniform regulations applied to Officers.
As opposed to even the most senior enlisted Coast Guard members, Aviation Engineering CWOs display their insignia of grade on Hard and Enhanced shoulder boards, with Hard boards typically (but not exclusively) reserved for more formal dress uniforms featuring shoulder loops. Enhanced shoulder boards are worn on more functional and relaxed uniforms that have components manufactured with epaulettes which slide through loops attached to the board. Both Hard and Enhanced shoulder boards are issued in a Large and a Small version (75% size of the Large).
Aviation Engineering CWOs wear Hard Shoulder boards on the jackets and coats worn with white Dress and Service uniforms (Dinner Dress White Jacket, Dinner Dress White, Full Dress White, Service Dress White). They’re also authorized for the discontinued Reefer Coat (which may still be worn if serviceable) and Bridge Coats with shoulder loops.
Enhanced shoulder boards are worn with the Service Dress Blue “Bravo” and Tropical Blue uniforms, specifically on the Light Blue shirts and women’s overblouses worn with them; they’re also worn on Bridge Coats with epaulettes, as well as on Cardigan and Wooly-Pully Sweaters. Precise wear guidance can be found in Section 4.A.1 of COMDTINST M1020.6J.
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