U.S. Coast Guard Revises Symbols Policy on December 15

The U.S. Coast Guard is set to implement a revised policy on December 15 that shifts its terminology for symbols such as swastikas and nooses from "hate symbols" to "potentially divisive symbols," while maintaining prohibitions on their display and promising thorough investigations of violations.

The update, detailed in the service's Harassing Behavior Prevention, Response, and Accountability manual approved this month, replaces the phrase "hate incident" with references to harassment reports when an affected individual is identified. Commanders, after consulting legal advisors, can order the removal of such symbols if they harm unit morale, discipline, cohesion, or mission effectiveness. The policy explicitly upholds a longstanding ban on public displays of the Confederate flag, except in educational or historical contexts, but does not impose outright bans on other divisive symbols in private spaces outside public view, such as family housing.

Admiral Kevin Lunday, the acting commandant, emphasized that the changes do not weaken existing rules. "These symbols have been and remain prohibited in the Coast Guard per policy," Lunday said in a statement. "Any display, use or...