topside
Volume 114, Issue 4
Page 3
From the Desk of the Commodore
I remember fondly the first time I put on an Auxiliary uniform. I had been invited attend a Flotilla
meeting by an acquaintance who shared a common interest in flight. I attended the meeting and
after talking over the benefits of membership with my wife, I decided to join the Auxiliary with the
intention of engaging in air operations- after all, who could turn down an offer to engage in a
passion and have it put on the government dime.
My first uniform was a flight suit that I had purchased at a local government surplus store. It had
been ordered for another customer who was late in picking it up. The salesperson suggested that I
try it on and see how it fit. Lo and behold, it was a perfect fit and along with a pair of military
boots, I purchased it and proudly left the store. (an interesting sidelight, the proprietor of the store
and his wife were both later to become members of my Flotilla a few years later.)
I purchased the ancillary uniform items (i.e. nametag, shoulder patch, Aux emblem, and American
flag) and I was official, ready to begin my training and get underway. I beamed as I wore that single
uniform and could hardly contain myself every time I put It on. Of course, flying under the Coast
Guard banner brought it owns rewards as I was serving my country and engaging in important
work.
Commodore Barry Kyper
As I became entrenched in all things Auxiliary, I gradually purchased the different uniforms as listed in the AUXMAN for use by
Auxiliarists. I can now proudly say that I have a closet dedicated solely to my Auxiliary uniforms.
While I am very proud of those uniforms, I am equally proud to wear them smartly. The real pride however comes in understanding what
these uniforms represent and the history that goes along with their wearing. I am proud to be a member of a support organization to one
of the finest military groups in the country whose varied missions not only preserve and protect our waterways but do so much more to
save lives and safeguard recreational boaters from the dangers imposed by operating on the waters encompassing our great nation.
Along with that pride, I am also reminded of the awesome responsibility that comes along with the opportunity to wear the uniform.
Living the Coast Guard core values, treating my fellow Auxiliarists and active duty with the respect and honor they deserve is imprinted in
my mind every time I don the “trops” or the “ODU.” Coincident with the honor that comes with the wearing of these uniforms comes
the expectations to higher standards of behavior associated with those exhibited by our active duty brothers and sisters.
Also included is the obligation to wear the uniform properly and correctly. While attending a Change of Watch ceremony, I was blessed
to sit across the table from a young LCDR who pointed out that the top button of my Service Dress Blue jacket was fastened upside
down. Needless to say, the indiscretion was quickly corrected upon return to my home. A valuable lesson was learned about how dearly
the active duty revere the uniform and what it represents to them. This reverence is dearly earned and dutifully worn.
So wear the uniform with dignity, wear it correctly, and most importantly, wear it with the knowledge of what it represents, the history
that accompanies its development, and the values expressed in wearing it proudly. Semper Paratus!
Barry Kyper
DCO D5NR
Integrity, Commitment, Professionalism