As of 2025, the U.S. Coast Guard prohibits the display of divisive or hate symbols and flags, explicitly listing a noose and a swastika and banning any symbols or flags co-opted or adopted by hate-based groups.
November 20, 2025
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policy
Describes the content of a U.S. Coast Guard organizational policy on prohibited symbols.
The U.S. Coast Guard policy prohibits the display of symbols such as swastikas, nooses, and the Confederate battle flag, treating such symbols as extremist or racist imagery subject to investigation and disciplinary action.
March 16, 2025
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policy
Workplace conduct and prohibited symbols policy
A 2025 U.S. Coast Guard policy update removed the term "hate incident" from official policy and states that conduct previously handled as a "potential hate incident" will be processed as a harassment report only when there is an identified aggrieved individual.
March 16, 2025
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policy_change
Harassment reporting procedures
U.S. Coast Guard guidance reclassifies symbols previously labeled as "potential hate incidents" as "potentially divisive symbols and flags" and authorizes commanding officers to inquire about and order removal of publicly displayed potentially divisive symbols that negatively affect morale or mission readiness.
March 16, 2025
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policy
Authority of leaders to address divisive symbols in workplaces and facilities
A 2019 U.S. Coast Guard policy described symbols such as swastikas and nooses as "widely identified with oppression or hatred" and characterized their display as a potential hate incident.
January 01, 2019
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policy
Describes the characterization of certain symbols in the Coast Guard's 2019 policy.
The U.S. Coast Guard maintains a longstanding prohibition on publicly displaying the Confederate flag, with limited exceptions for contexts such as educational or historical settings.
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policy
Describes an enduring restriction within Coast Guard policy regarding the Confederate flag.
The U.S. Coast Guard guidance eliminated the term "hate incident" and reclassified conduct previously designated as hate incidents as harassment that is actionable only when a specific identifiable victim is named.
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policy
Describes a change in how misconduct involving hateful imagery or behavior is categorized for disciplinary purposes.
The U.S. Coast Guard guidance specified that public displays of extremist symbols constitute misconduct only if they can be shown to harm good order and discipline, unit cohesion, command climate, morale, or mission effectiveness.
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policy
Sets a harm-based threshold for treating public displays of extremist symbols as misconduct.
The U.S. Coast Guard guidance permitted symbols widely identified with oppression or hatred to be displayed in private or non-public settings, including military housing.
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policy
Allows certain displays of oppressive or hateful symbols in non-public/private contexts under the guidance.
The U.S. Coast Guard guidance stated that hazing, even when it involves physical force, can serve a "proper military or other governmental purpose."
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policy
Frames hazing as potentially permissible if characterized as serving a legitimate military or governmental purpose.