Coast Guard Chief Petty Officers' Uniforms: A Historic Photograph Gallery

From the time of the adoption of the rank of Chief Petty Officer (CPO) by the Coast Guard in 1920, the Coast Guard CPO's uniform paralleled that of the Navy's CPO uniform. With minor modifications, including the addition of a Coast Guard shield device on the right sleeve, this essentially "Navy" uniform remained the regulation uniform for Coast Guard Chiefs until the adoption of the "Bender Blues" in 1975.

Blue Dress Uniform 1926

Blue Dress Uniform, 1926

Unidentified chief, blue dress uniform, 1926. Ambassador Studio, Philadelphia, photo. No caption.

[190320-G-G0000-8001]

White Dress Uniform 1926

White Dress Uniform, 1926

Unidentified chief, white dress uniform, 1926. Ambassador Studio, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, photo. No captain.

[190320-G-G0000-8002]

Blue Dress Uniform 1928

Blue Dress Uniform, circa 1928

CQM Lloyd L. Horrell, USCG, circa 1928, blue dress uniform. No caption or date; photographer unknown.

[190320-G-G0000-8003]

Blue Dress Uniform 1929

Blue Dress Uniform, 1929

Engineroom force, USCGC Pontchartrain, 1929, blue uniform. Photographer unknown.

[190320-G-G0000-8004]

Blue Dress Uniform 1928

Blue Dress Uniform, 1928

Recruiting Force, Cincinatti, Ohio, 1928, blue dress uniform. Photographer unknown.

[190320-G-G0000-8005]

Undress Blue A uniform

Undress Blue, A Uniform

Unidentified chief, circa 1920, undress blue, A uniform. No caption or date; photographer unknown.

[190320-G-G0000-8006]

Tropical Khaki Uniform 1944

"Tropical" Khaki Uniforms, circa 1944

The Chief Petty Officers of the Coast Guard-manned USS Centauraus (AKA-17), somewhere in the South Pacific, circa 1944. "Tropical" khaki uniforms. Photograph donated by CGM Michael K. Opsitnik, USCG.

[190320-G-G0000-8007]

Dress Blue B Uniform 1943

Dress Blue, B Uniform, circa 1943

Unidentified chief, circa 1943, dress blue, B uniform. No caption or date; photographer unknown.

[190320-G-G0000-8008]

Uniform 1950

Uniform, circa 1950

Two unidentified Chief Petty Officers, circa 1950. No caption or dated; photographer unknown.

[190320-G-G0000-8009]

Class A Blues 1959

Class A Blues, 1959

SN Larry M. McBreen (left) in a friendly discussion with QMC John Smith (right) regarding seamanship and knot typing. Smith was a 33-year veteran of the Coast Guard. Both are in Class A Blues; photo dated 25 February 1959; photo number 13CGD-022059-02.

[190320-G-G0000-8014]

Khaki Uniforms

Khaki Uniforms

Inspection! Khaki uniforms. No caption or date; photographer unknown.

[190320-G-G0000-8010]

Khakis 1965?

Khakis, 1965?

YNC H. Rucker, Jr., date unknown (1965?); khakis. No caption or date; photographer unknown.

[190320-G-G0000-8011]

Bender Blues Uniform

Bender Blues Uniform, 1972

YNCS Earl C. Mason (left) in the then-current double breasted jacket. Next to him on the right is the MCPOCG (BMCM) Charles L. Calhoun in the "new" Bender Blues-type uniform. Photo date: 14 January 1972; photographer: PHC J. Valesques.

[190320-G-G0000-8012]

Bender Blues Uniform 1972

Bender Blues Uniform, 1972

YNCS Earl C. Mason (left) in the then-current double breasted jacket. Next to him on the right is the MCPOCG (BMCM) Charles L. Calhoun in the "new" Bender Blues-type uniform. Photo date: 14 January 1972; photographer: PHC J. Valesques.

[190320-G-G0000-80013]