The U.S. Coast Guard tartan is an "official" tartan.

That being said, what I am about to say is not on behalf of anyone; I have no authority-just opinion.

I wrote the history and designed the Coast Guard tartan to allow people to connect with their branch of service. It happened to coincide with the forming of the Coast Guard Pipe Band. To be honest, I never really thought about anyone outside of those with some sort of connection (military past and present, family) wanting to wear it.

It is my understanding, like a uniform shirt without collar devices, the kilt may be recognized as being associated with a branch of service but it isn't a uniform unless you put it with the appropriate uniform articles. Members of the Coast Guard pipe band will wear rate or rank with the uniform and when they are in the kilt with the rest of the uniform, they are indeed in uniform.

But when I designed it, it was with the idea that family members had a way of showing their 'connection' to the Coast Guard too, whether regular, reserve, active duty, retired, veteran, auxiliary.

I cannot reiterate enough I am nobody special and I have no authority. I do not speak for the Coast Guard. Just my own personal experience and opinion. If I saw someone wear it who was not CG, I would be thrilled but I would ask their connection. They may just say, I just like it or they may say I love the Coast Guard. They usually have a story. I, personally, would not be offended but I would not expect them to be wearing anything military related aside from the kilt.