Friday, January 11, 2008
WELCOME to NEW MEMBERS.
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NEW MEMBER ORIENTATION
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Welcome and Introduction
Welcome aboard the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary.
You are joining men and women from all walks of civilian life who come together to support the missions of the U.S. Coast Guard. The Auxiliary traditionally finds its primary activities in public education, vessel and facility examinations, and surface/air operations, with a fourth element of fellowship serving as the glue which holds the Auxiliary together. Another way to say this is that we are here to help the USCG and the recreational boating public.
Sometimes when you are on a USCG station you'll see a motto "Small Service - Big Job." Over 30,000 Auxiliarists nationwide step up to help get this big job done. The Auxiliary does no military or direct law enforcement tasks, and there are a few other USCG jobs that the Auxiliary doesn't do, but beyond this there is a wide variety of things we can do to help.
You can challenge yourself with new tasks and be supported with extensive training opportunities and knowledgeable teammates. You can serve on Auxiliary vessels, stand a radio watch, teach a class, write an article - the list is endless. Whatever you can do the Auxiliary can probably use, and if you would like to try something new, that also is OK. You can serve the Coast Guard and your country and have a great time doing it.
We'll talk more about some of the Auxiliary jobs later.
In the sections below we will take a quick look at the Coast Guard station in Duluth, MN and Bayfield, WI, as well as the USCGC Alder homeported in Duluth, MN and some of their assets. We'll also look at divisions and flotillas. Flotillas are the basic organizational units in the Auxiliary and are where you'll have much of your initial contacts. A division is the next organizational level up and usually contains five or more flotillas.
We'll also take a look at some of the jobs Auxiliarists are doing right now. Each flotilla has a number of flotilla staff officers (FSOs) who can help you explore the many opportunities.
The Auxiliary is a volunteer organization that stands beside a uniformed service. We'll look at how the Auxiliary and active duty Coast Guard have complementary organizations. The Auxiliary wears Coast Guard uniforms with Auxiliary insignia and we'll talk about getting your uniform. Our insignia is silver while active duty and reserve Coast Guard have gold insignia, and you'll sometimes hear people refer to "gold side" and "silver side," meaning active duty and Auxiliary.
We'll also take a look at where you can find more information and get training. Standing beside a uniformed service means that we spend a lot of time training to learn new things and to improve on the things we are doing. Sometimes you may find that you're almost overwhelmed with information. We'll help to organize some of this, and you'll find that every Auxiliarist in your flotilla will be willing to help you find your way to the most rewarding activities for you. If you've just signed up, it will take about four months to process your security clearance. There have been several recent changes in what you can do while waiting for the security clearance and here is the current information. You can attend meetings and participate in training, and you'll find more than enough things to do while you're waiting.
You are joining men and women from all walks of civilian life who come together to support the missions of the U.S. Coast Guard. The Auxiliary traditionally finds its primary activities in public education, vessel and facility examinations, and surface/air operations, with a fourth element of fellowship serving as the glue which holds the Auxiliary together. Another way to say this is that we are here to help the USCG and the recreational boating public.
Sometimes when you are on a USCG station you'll see a motto "Small Service - Big Job." Over 30,000 Auxiliarists nationwide step up to help get this big job done. The Auxiliary does no military or direct law enforcement tasks, and there are a few other USCG jobs that the Auxiliary doesn't do, but beyond this there is a wide variety of things we can do to help.
You can challenge yourself with new tasks and be supported with extensive training opportunities and knowledgeable teammates. You can serve on Auxiliary vessels, stand a radio watch, teach a class, write an article - the list is endless. Whatever you can do the Auxiliary can probably use, and if you would like to try something new, that also is OK. You can serve the Coast Guard and your country and have a great time doing it.
We'll talk more about some of the Auxiliary jobs later.
In the sections below we will take a quick look at the Coast Guard station in Duluth, MN and Bayfield, WI, as well as the USCGC Alder homeported in Duluth, MN and some of their assets. We'll also look at divisions and flotillas. Flotillas are the basic organizational units in the Auxiliary and are where you'll have much of your initial contacts. A division is the next organizational level up and usually contains five or more flotillas.
We'll also take a look at some of the jobs Auxiliarists are doing right now. Each flotilla has a number of flotilla staff officers (FSOs) who can help you explore the many opportunities.
The Auxiliary is a volunteer organization that stands beside a uniformed service. We'll look at how the Auxiliary and active duty Coast Guard have complementary organizations. The Auxiliary wears Coast Guard uniforms with Auxiliary insignia and we'll talk about getting your uniform. Our insignia is silver while active duty and reserve Coast Guard have gold insignia, and you'll sometimes hear people refer to "gold side" and "silver side," meaning active duty and Auxiliary.
We'll also take a look at where you can find more information and get training. Standing beside a uniformed service means that we spend a lot of time training to learn new things and to improve on the things we are doing. Sometimes you may find that you're almost overwhelmed with information. We'll help to organize some of this, and you'll find that every Auxiliarist in your flotilla will be willing to help you find your way to the most rewarding activities for you. If you've just signed up, it will take about four months to process your security clearance. There have been several recent changes in what you can do while waiting for the security clearance and here is the current information. You can attend meetings and participate in training, and you'll find more than enough things to do while you're waiting.
Auxiliary Organization
REFERENCE: Chapter 4, "Auxiliary Organizational Structure," in the Auxiliary Manual (M16790.1F) provides an overview of Auxiliary organization.
Briefly, the structure is:
Flotilla » Division » District/Region » National.
Each flotilla has its own personality, but they all serve the boating public and support the Coast Guard through a variety of programs. There is no geographical requirement regarding which flotilla an Auxiliarist joins, and Auxiliarists can work with other flotillas in addition to the one where they are a member. Flotillas are not attached to any particular Coast Guard station.
The flotilla is the local organization, and everyone must be a member of a flotilla. Flotillas are numbered, and "Flotilla 12" means that it is Flotilla 2 in Division 1, while "Flotilla 11-3" is Flotilla 3 in Division 11. The flotilla is led by an elected Flotilla Commander (FC) and a Vice Flotilla Commander (VFC).
Elected Auxiliarist leaders appoint staff officers who provide functional supervision and program management over specifically authorized activities. The Auxiliary is organized with similar staff officers at all levels. Staff officers are not barred from holding simultaneous elected offices or another staff office. A staff officer's appointment expires with the term of the appointing leader.
New Auxiliarists are not normally offered staff officer appointments during their first membership year. They can use this time to learn about the Coast Guard and to gain experience working with elected leaders or staff officers in areas of interest.
Flotilla staff officers (FSO-XX) positions are designated as:
Key to Staff Officer Assignments
Aids to Navigation and Chart Updating (AN)
Aviation (AV) (district level only)
Communications (CM)
Communication Services (CS)
Finance (FN)
Information Services (IS)
Legal/Parliamentarian (LP) (district level only)
Marine Safety and Environmental Protection (MS)
Materials (MA)
Member Training (MT)
Operations (OP)
Personnel Services (PS)
Public Affairs (PA)
Public Education (PE)
Publications (PB)
Recreational Boating Safety ProgramVisitation (PV)Secretary of Records (SR)
Vessel Examinations (VE)
The division is the next highest Auxiliary level. A division has five or more flotillas in the same geographical area. The division is led by an elected Division Captain (DCP). and a Vice Division Captain (VCP). The DCP may appoint division staff officers who will be designated as SO-XX.
The Auxiliary district is the organizational unit above the division. A district is headed by an elected District Commodore (DCO), a Vice Commodore (VCO) who serves as the District Chief of Staff, and one or more District Rear Commodores (RCO). The DCO may appoint district staff officers (DSO-XX) and assistant district staff officers (ADSO-XX). The Auxiliary district will coordinate with a Coast Guard district that has active duty officers assigned to this task. At the district level, the geographic boundaries of the gold and silver sides are the same, although some large districts may have the Auxiliary divided up into several regions (function like their own district auxiliaries)but there is no geographic or organizational symmetry below the district.
Briefly, the structure is:
Flotilla » Division » District/Region » National.
Each flotilla has its own personality, but they all serve the boating public and support the Coast Guard through a variety of programs. There is no geographical requirement regarding which flotilla an Auxiliarist joins, and Auxiliarists can work with other flotillas in addition to the one where they are a member. Flotillas are not attached to any particular Coast Guard station.
The flotilla is the local organization, and everyone must be a member of a flotilla. Flotillas are numbered, and "Flotilla 12" means that it is Flotilla 2 in Division 1, while "Flotilla 11-3" is Flotilla 3 in Division 11. The flotilla is led by an elected Flotilla Commander (FC) and a Vice Flotilla Commander (VFC).
Elected Auxiliarist leaders appoint staff officers who provide functional supervision and program management over specifically authorized activities. The Auxiliary is organized with similar staff officers at all levels. Staff officers are not barred from holding simultaneous elected offices or another staff office. A staff officer's appointment expires with the term of the appointing leader.
New Auxiliarists are not normally offered staff officer appointments during their first membership year. They can use this time to learn about the Coast Guard and to gain experience working with elected leaders or staff officers in areas of interest.
Flotilla staff officers (FSO-XX) positions are designated as:
Key to Staff Officer Assignments
Aids to Navigation and Chart Updating (AN)
Aviation (AV) (district level only)
Communications (CM)
Communication Services (CS)
Finance (FN)
Information Services (IS)
Legal/Parliamentarian (LP) (district level only)
Marine Safety and Environmental Protection (MS)
Materials (MA)
Member Training (MT)
Operations (OP)
Personnel Services (PS)
Public Affairs (PA)
Public Education (PE)
Publications (PB)
Recreational Boating Safety ProgramVisitation (PV)Secretary of Records (SR)
Vessel Examinations (VE)
The division is the next highest Auxiliary level. A division has five or more flotillas in the same geographical area. The division is led by an elected Division Captain (DCP). and a Vice Division Captain (VCP). The DCP may appoint division staff officers who will be designated as SO-XX.
The Auxiliary district is the organizational unit above the division. A district is headed by an elected District Commodore (DCO), a Vice Commodore (VCO) who serves as the District Chief of Staff, and one or more District Rear Commodores (RCO). The DCO may appoint district staff officers (DSO-XX) and assistant district staff officers (ADSO-XX). The Auxiliary district will coordinate with a Coast Guard district that has active duty officers assigned to this task. At the district level, the geographic boundaries of the gold and silver sides are the same, although some large districts may have the Auxiliary divided up into several regions (function like their own district auxiliaries)but there is no geographic or organizational symmetry below the district.
Flotilla Organizational Structure (suggested)
Auxiliary Uniforms
Auxiliarists wear essentially the same uniform as Coast Guard officers. Auxiliary insignia and buttons are different, with active duty Coast Guard having gold insignia while the Auxiliary uses silver insignia. You'll sometimes hear the terms "gold side" and "silver side" used to refer to active duty and Auxiliary. It is important to wear the uniforms properly.
It is important to know and follow proper courtesy and protocol...link such as saluting Coast Guard officers and saluting the National Ensign and the Officer of the Day (OOD) when going aboard a Coast Guard vessel. We'll talk later about training opportunities where you can take a class on military courtesies.
The (1) Operational Dress Uniform (ODU), (2) Tropical Blue, and (3) Dress Blue are the three uniforms routinely worn by the Auxiliary, and just the first two need be obtained initially.
The ODU is sturdy dark blue work clothes. Name tags and other insignia are made of cloth as a safety feature. Boots are usually worn although Auxiliarists can wear boat shoes when they are working on private boats.
The Tropical Blue uniform is worn in an office or training situation. It has dark blue slacks (skirt optional) and a light blue blouse.
The Dress Blue uniform is rather like a suit and tie and is worn for more formal occasions such as change-of-watch ceremonies. If you don't yet have Dress Blues, you can in fact wear a suit and tie (or equivalent).
Here are some useful pictures...link of Coast Guard Uniforms. There is also a good article on uniforms in the Coast Guard Reserve Magazine.
Just remember to change the buttons and insignia from gold to silver. If you have gone to a few Auxiliary activities, you will have actually seen ODUs and Tropical Blues and have a good idea of what you need.
Flotilla 8-4 has a Uniform Consignment Program where you can post information on their website regarding uniform items you have for sale. They charge nothing for the service and you still handle the sale yourself, sorta like e-Bay without the pay part. The second place for uniforms is either an Exchange where you can purchase ODUs, Tropical Blues, and steel-toed boots or you can obtain them from the Uniform Distribution Center. ( Link to UDC: http://www.uscg.mil/hq/g-w/g-wp/udc/).
Another stop is the 7th District Coast Guard online store, where you can get belts, an Auxiliary baseball cap to go with the ODUs, a plastic name tag to go with the Tropical Blues, and Auxiliary insignia. Here you can have the cloth tapes with your name and "USCG Auxiliary" made and sewn onto the ODU blouse.
If you don't live near an exchange you will probably have to get your uniforms by mail. Ask other people in your flotilla where they got their uniforms. Sometimes a flotilla will have some uniform items that have been turned in by other members. Here are links to some other sources...link for these items.
Operational Dress Uniform (ODU) (Men and Women)
Tropical Blue Uniform (A skirt is optional for women.)
It is important to know and follow proper courtesy and protocol...link such as saluting Coast Guard officers and saluting the National Ensign and the Officer of the Day (OOD) when going aboard a Coast Guard vessel. We'll talk later about training opportunities where you can take a class on military courtesies.
The (1) Operational Dress Uniform (ODU), (2) Tropical Blue, and (3) Dress Blue are the three uniforms routinely worn by the Auxiliary, and just the first two need be obtained initially.
The ODU is sturdy dark blue work clothes. Name tags and other insignia are made of cloth as a safety feature. Boots are usually worn although Auxiliarists can wear boat shoes when they are working on private boats.
The Tropical Blue uniform is worn in an office or training situation. It has dark blue slacks (skirt optional) and a light blue blouse.
The Dress Blue uniform is rather like a suit and tie and is worn for more formal occasions such as change-of-watch ceremonies. If you don't yet have Dress Blues, you can in fact wear a suit and tie (or equivalent).
Here are some useful pictures...link of Coast Guard Uniforms. There is also a good article on uniforms in the Coast Guard Reserve Magazine.
Just remember to change the buttons and insignia from gold to silver. If you have gone to a few Auxiliary activities, you will have actually seen ODUs and Tropical Blues and have a good idea of what you need.
Flotilla 8-4 has a Uniform Consignment Program where you can post information on their website regarding uniform items you have for sale. They charge nothing for the service and you still handle the sale yourself, sorta like e-Bay without the pay part. The second place for uniforms is either an Exchange where you can purchase ODUs, Tropical Blues, and steel-toed boots or you can obtain them from the Uniform Distribution Center. ( Link to UDC: http://www.uscg.mil/hq/g-w/g-wp/udc/).
Another stop is the 7th District Coast Guard online store, where you can get belts, an Auxiliary baseball cap to go with the ODUs, a plastic name tag to go with the Tropical Blues, and Auxiliary insignia. Here you can have the cloth tapes with your name and "USCG Auxiliary" made and sewn onto the ODU blouse.
If you don't live near an exchange you will probably have to get your uniforms by mail. Ask other people in your flotilla where they got their uniforms. Sometimes a flotilla will have some uniform items that have been turned in by other members. Here are links to some other sources...link for these items.
Operational Dress Uniform (ODU) (Men and Women)
Tropical Blue Uniform (A skirt is optional for women.)
Auxiliary Jobs
Here are some pictures...link of Auxiliarists at work.
The Auxiliary New Member Reference Guide lists Auxiliary missions, and below are some of the current programs in which Auxiliary members can participate:
Administrative Support to the CG.
Auxiliarists are authorized assignment to duty to assist and to augment administrative functions of any CG unit.
Aids to Navigation (ATON).
Qualified Auxiliarists and their facilities are authorized assignment to duty to support and to augment the CG's ATON Program in prescribed phases. This area includes verifying position and characteristics of private aids to navigation (PATON), after qualifying as an aid verifier. Members assist and support ATON units in servicing federal aids after receiving proper CG training. ATON units also help the National Ocean Service (NOS) and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in updating nautical and aeronautical charts plus specific publications.
Bridge Administration.
Qualified Auxiliarists and their facilities are authorized assignment to duty to support and to augment bridge surveys, to investigate and to provide information regarding waterways safety and navigation situations pertaining to the bridge program, and to provide direct assistance and support to bridge program staff and other CG personnel in the Bridge Administration Program.
Civil Air Patrol (CAP) Support.
Qualified Auxiliarists and their facilities may be authorized assignment to assist the Civil Air Patrol in conducting authorized joint CG-CAP missions.
Contingency Preparedness.
Qualified Auxiliarists and their facilities are authorized to provide platforms and personnel for defense and nondefense exercises. Auxiliarists and their operational facilities may also provide support as unarmed opposition forces (OPFOR) and gather information and data for contingency plans. Qualified Auxiliarists are authorized to develop plans and to support contingency response operations for disasters and lesser incidents.
Licensing of Merchant Mariners.
Qualified Auxiliarists are authorized to be assigned to duty to administer merchant mariner license and document examinations, to conduct oversight of approved maritime training courses, and to provide administrative support for the marine licensing program at the local level.
Marine Safety and Environmental Protection (MSEP).
Qualified Auxiliarists and their facilities are authorized assignment to duty to assist the marine safety and environmental protection program. Auxiliarists may provide facilities (i.e., planes, boats, and radios) and personnel for public education, for support of pollution prevention activities, and for environmental disaster relief operations, and other assistance, as needed, to CG Marine Safety Offices.
Operational Support to the Coast Guard (OPS).
Qualified Auxiliarists and their facilities are authorized assignment to duty to support all CG operational units. Auxiliarists must be qualified per current CG manual and directive provisions, and must serve under the active duty unit commander's direction.
Port Safety And Security (PS&S).
Qualified Auxiliarists and their facilities are authorized assignment to duty to support the Port Safety and Security Program. Auxiliarists may provide facilities and unarmed personnel for surveillance and reporting, harbor and anchorage patrols, assistance to CG forces in safety and security zone enforcement, support for vessel boardings, performing port facility and vessel verification visits, aircraft over flights, augmenting CG crews, and providing additional administrative support.
Public Affairs Support (PA).
Auxiliarists are authorized for assignment to duty to support both CG and Auxiliary public affairs program.
Recreational Boating Safety (RBS).
Qualified Auxiliarists and their facilities may be assigned to duty to support the recreational boating safety program, to do recreational vessel safety checks (VSCs), and to participate in State Liaison Programs (AUXSLO), in boat shows, and National Safe Boating Week (NSBW) activities.
The Recreational Boating Safety Visitation Program provides boating safety information to marine dealers and customers.
The public education (PE) classes are our best prevention of boating accidents.
Recruiting.
Auxiliarists may qualify and be assigned to duty as military recruiters to support the CG's recruiting program. This assignment includes qualification as a military recruiter, proctoring recruiting examinations, and administrative assistance to recruiting offices.
Search and Rescue.
Qualified Auxiliarists and their facilities are authorized assignment to duty to assist in CG and states in support of search and rescue operations. These duties include search planning, search operations, and the conduct of rescues in navigable and sole state waters.
Vessel Inspections.
Qualified Auxiliarists may be assigned to duty to assist the CG in the marine inspection mission, including supporting and assisting CG accident investigations, providing platforms for inspectors, conducting vessel inspections, providing remote area surveillance and response, conducting voluntary examinations of uninspected passenger vessels and commercial fishing vessels, and administrative support.
Waterways Management.
Qualified Auxiliarists are authorized to assist in CG waterways management mission areas by providing platforms and unarmed personnel for CG and other federal and state agencies, by providing information and input into the analysis process, and by providing other administrative and operational program support.
Additional Programs.
The commandant may authorize additional Auxiliary programs. When specifically authorized by the commandant, Auxiliary programs and activities may become international, extending beyond the U.S. and its territories and possessions. The commandant must approve new nontraditional Auxiliary programs in advance.
How do you get started?
One of your first tasks is to find out about all the jobs available in your flotilla and the training required to become qualified.
Even if you are a brand new "break in," there is always a need for extra hands to help with dinners, classes, and meetings. This is a great way to find out who everyone is and what jobs they are doing. Many of the jobs in the flotilla are coordinated by one of the flotilla staff officers (FSOs). Some of these FSO positions have an informal assistant to the FSO, and taking on one of the assistant positions is a good way to contribute and to learn.
Take a class. There are Auxiliary classes given at the flotilla, division, and district levels, as well as classes open to the public. The public "Boating Skills and Seamanship" class is recommended and will give you a good foundation to build on.
Vessels and aircraft owned by Auxiliary members can be used under orders for patrols that do search and rescue, aids to navigation, and environmental monitoring. Auxiliarists certified as pilots, coxswains, and air crew and boat crew can take part in these operational missions.
There are also many Auxiliary jobs that are not operational missions and don't require as much physical effort. There will be a place for whatever skills and interests you bring the the Auxiliary.
The Auxiliary New Member Reference Guide lists Auxiliary missions, and below are some of the current programs in which Auxiliary members can participate:
Administrative Support to the CG.
Auxiliarists are authorized assignment to duty to assist and to augment administrative functions of any CG unit.
Aids to Navigation (ATON).
Qualified Auxiliarists and their facilities are authorized assignment to duty to support and to augment the CG's ATON Program in prescribed phases. This area includes verifying position and characteristics of private aids to navigation (PATON), after qualifying as an aid verifier. Members assist and support ATON units in servicing federal aids after receiving proper CG training. ATON units also help the National Ocean Service (NOS) and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in updating nautical and aeronautical charts plus specific publications.
Bridge Administration.
Qualified Auxiliarists and their facilities are authorized assignment to duty to support and to augment bridge surveys, to investigate and to provide information regarding waterways safety and navigation situations pertaining to the bridge program, and to provide direct assistance and support to bridge program staff and other CG personnel in the Bridge Administration Program.
Civil Air Patrol (CAP) Support.
Qualified Auxiliarists and their facilities may be authorized assignment to assist the Civil Air Patrol in conducting authorized joint CG-CAP missions.
Contingency Preparedness.
Qualified Auxiliarists and their facilities are authorized to provide platforms and personnel for defense and nondefense exercises. Auxiliarists and their operational facilities may also provide support as unarmed opposition forces (OPFOR) and gather information and data for contingency plans. Qualified Auxiliarists are authorized to develop plans and to support contingency response operations for disasters and lesser incidents.
Licensing of Merchant Mariners.
Qualified Auxiliarists are authorized to be assigned to duty to administer merchant mariner license and document examinations, to conduct oversight of approved maritime training courses, and to provide administrative support for the marine licensing program at the local level.
Marine Safety and Environmental Protection (MSEP).
Qualified Auxiliarists and their facilities are authorized assignment to duty to assist the marine safety and environmental protection program. Auxiliarists may provide facilities (i.e., planes, boats, and radios) and personnel for public education, for support of pollution prevention activities, and for environmental disaster relief operations, and other assistance, as needed, to CG Marine Safety Offices.
Operational Support to the Coast Guard (OPS).
Qualified Auxiliarists and their facilities are authorized assignment to duty to support all CG operational units. Auxiliarists must be qualified per current CG manual and directive provisions, and must serve under the active duty unit commander's direction.
Port Safety And Security (PS&S).
Qualified Auxiliarists and their facilities are authorized assignment to duty to support the Port Safety and Security Program. Auxiliarists may provide facilities and unarmed personnel for surveillance and reporting, harbor and anchorage patrols, assistance to CG forces in safety and security zone enforcement, support for vessel boardings, performing port facility and vessel verification visits, aircraft over flights, augmenting CG crews, and providing additional administrative support.
Public Affairs Support (PA).
Auxiliarists are authorized for assignment to duty to support both CG and Auxiliary public affairs program.
Recreational Boating Safety (RBS).
Qualified Auxiliarists and their facilities may be assigned to duty to support the recreational boating safety program, to do recreational vessel safety checks (VSCs), and to participate in State Liaison Programs (AUXSLO), in boat shows, and National Safe Boating Week (NSBW) activities.
The Recreational Boating Safety Visitation Program provides boating safety information to marine dealers and customers.
The public education (PE) classes are our best prevention of boating accidents.
Recruiting.
Auxiliarists may qualify and be assigned to duty as military recruiters to support the CG's recruiting program. This assignment includes qualification as a military recruiter, proctoring recruiting examinations, and administrative assistance to recruiting offices.
Search and Rescue.
Qualified Auxiliarists and their facilities are authorized assignment to duty to assist in CG and states in support of search and rescue operations. These duties include search planning, search operations, and the conduct of rescues in navigable and sole state waters.
Vessel Inspections.
Qualified Auxiliarists may be assigned to duty to assist the CG in the marine inspection mission, including supporting and assisting CG accident investigations, providing platforms for inspectors, conducting vessel inspections, providing remote area surveillance and response, conducting voluntary examinations of uninspected passenger vessels and commercial fishing vessels, and administrative support.
Waterways Management.
Qualified Auxiliarists are authorized to assist in CG waterways management mission areas by providing platforms and unarmed personnel for CG and other federal and state agencies, by providing information and input into the analysis process, and by providing other administrative and operational program support.
Additional Programs.
The commandant may authorize additional Auxiliary programs. When specifically authorized by the commandant, Auxiliary programs and activities may become international, extending beyond the U.S. and its territories and possessions. The commandant must approve new nontraditional Auxiliary programs in advance.
How do you get started?
One of your first tasks is to find out about all the jobs available in your flotilla and the training required to become qualified.
Even if you are a brand new "break in," there is always a need for extra hands to help with dinners, classes, and meetings. This is a great way to find out who everyone is and what jobs they are doing. Many of the jobs in the flotilla are coordinated by one of the flotilla staff officers (FSOs). Some of these FSO positions have an informal assistant to the FSO, and taking on one of the assistant positions is a good way to contribute and to learn.
Take a class. There are Auxiliary classes given at the flotilla, division, and district levels, as well as classes open to the public. The public "Boating Skills and Seamanship" class is recommended and will give you a good foundation to build on.
Vessels and aircraft owned by Auxiliary members can be used under orders for patrols that do search and rescue, aids to navigation, and environmental monitoring. Auxiliarists certified as pilots, coxswains, and air crew and boat crew can take part in these operational missions.
There are also many Auxiliary jobs that are not operational missions and don't require as much physical effort. There will be a place for whatever skills and interests you bring the the Auxiliary.
Training Opportunities
Whatever job you're doing in the Auxiliary, you can count on having some training first.
The Auxiliary offers several very good public boating courses, as well as a set of courses just for Auxiliary members in areas such as communications, navigation, patrols, search and rescue, seamanship, weather, and administration. From the Auxiliary New Member Reference Guide, here is a list of basic and advanced training opportunities in which Auxiliary members can participate:
A. Vessel Examination & RBS Program Visitor Programs:
1. Vessel Examiner
Once qualified you may conduct safety examinations on recreational vessels. This is a primary Search and Rescue (SAR) prevention program of the Coast Guard and Auxiliary. More lives and property are saved through this program than any other.
2. Recreational Boating Safety (RBS) Program Visitor
Once qualified you will be able to visit marine dealers to educate the dealers on boating safety and gain their support for our boating safety program.
B. Auxiliary Instructor:
Once qualified, you will be allowed to teach in the Auxiliary's Public Education and Member Training Programs. This program teaches you how to teach, not what to teach. The material will come from research, experience, and other training.
C. Boat Crew Qualification Program:
In the Boat Crew Qualification Program, the Director of Auxiliary appoints a Qualification Examiner (QE), who approves Boat Crew tasks for candidates.
1. Crewperson
Once qualified at this level, you may serve as a crew member on an Auxiliary vessel facility while on official Coast Guard orders.
2. Auxiliary Coxswain
Requires a higher degree of knowledge, skill and experience. Once qualified you will be able to command an Auxiliary vessel facility while on official Coast Guard orders. To retain qualification in the Operations Program, the member must meet requirements for currency maintenance every year and be approved by a QE every third year of currency maintenance.
D. Aviation Training Program:
1. Air Observer and Crew
Once qualified as Crew or Air Observer, you will be able to serve as part of an Auxiliary air crew operating under official Coast Guard Orders.
2. Pilot, First Pilot, Air Commander
Once qualified you will be able to pilot and command an Auxiliary air facility under official Coast Guard orders on Search and Rescue and Logistic Missions. There are three levels of pilot qualifications available.
E. Radio Watchstander:
Once qualified, you will be able to stand radio watches at Coast Guard and Auxiliary-operated installations.
F. Private Aids to Navigation Verifiers:
Once qualified you will be able to verify the operation, condition, and location of Private Aids used for navigation.
F. Advanced Training Opportunities:
Specialty Course Training (AUXOP Program):
This program consists of completing six specialty courses. After completing all six courses, your membership status will be changed from Initially Qualified or Basically Qualified to AUXOP and you will be entitled to wear the distinctive AUXOP device on your uniform. The six specialty courses are:
1. Communications.
This is a course on Coast Guard and Auxiliary radio communications.
2. Navigation.
This course is an in-depth course in coastal navigation and requires much hands on chart work as well as theory.
3. Patrols.
This course teaches about managing, supervising, and participating in the Auxiliary Operational Patrol Program.
4. Seamanship.
This course teaches all phases of recreational boating seamanship to the member.
5. Search and Rescue.
This course teaches how the Coast Guard runs its Search and Rescue Program as well as techniques on how to perform search missions.
6 Weather.
This course teaches the basics on types of weather, how to forecast weather, and how to stay out of trouble due to changing weather conditions.
In addition, members of the Coast Guard Auxiliary are eligible to take any of the "Nonclassified" correspondence courses from the United States Coast Guard Institute.
The Auxiliary offers several very good public boating courses, as well as a set of courses just for Auxiliary members in areas such as communications, navigation, patrols, search and rescue, seamanship, weather, and administration. From the Auxiliary New Member Reference Guide, here is a list of basic and advanced training opportunities in which Auxiliary members can participate:
A. Vessel Examination & RBS Program Visitor Programs:
1. Vessel Examiner
Once qualified you may conduct safety examinations on recreational vessels. This is a primary Search and Rescue (SAR) prevention program of the Coast Guard and Auxiliary. More lives and property are saved through this program than any other.
2. Recreational Boating Safety (RBS) Program Visitor
Once qualified you will be able to visit marine dealers to educate the dealers on boating safety and gain their support for our boating safety program.
B. Auxiliary Instructor:
Once qualified, you will be allowed to teach in the Auxiliary's Public Education and Member Training Programs. This program teaches you how to teach, not what to teach. The material will come from research, experience, and other training.
C. Boat Crew Qualification Program:
In the Boat Crew Qualification Program, the Director of Auxiliary appoints a Qualification Examiner (QE), who approves Boat Crew tasks for candidates.
1. Crewperson
Once qualified at this level, you may serve as a crew member on an Auxiliary vessel facility while on official Coast Guard orders.
2. Auxiliary Coxswain
Requires a higher degree of knowledge, skill and experience. Once qualified you will be able to command an Auxiliary vessel facility while on official Coast Guard orders. To retain qualification in the Operations Program, the member must meet requirements for currency maintenance every year and be approved by a QE every third year of currency maintenance.
D. Aviation Training Program:
1. Air Observer and Crew
Once qualified as Crew or Air Observer, you will be able to serve as part of an Auxiliary air crew operating under official Coast Guard Orders.
2. Pilot, First Pilot, Air Commander
Once qualified you will be able to pilot and command an Auxiliary air facility under official Coast Guard orders on Search and Rescue and Logistic Missions. There are three levels of pilot qualifications available.
E. Radio Watchstander:
Once qualified, you will be able to stand radio watches at Coast Guard and Auxiliary-operated installations.
F. Private Aids to Navigation Verifiers:
Once qualified you will be able to verify the operation, condition, and location of Private Aids used for navigation.
F. Advanced Training Opportunities:
Specialty Course Training (AUXOP Program):
This program consists of completing six specialty courses. After completing all six courses, your membership status will be changed from Initially Qualified or Basically Qualified to AUXOP and you will be entitled to wear the distinctive AUXOP device on your uniform. The six specialty courses are:
1. Communications.
This is a course on Coast Guard and Auxiliary radio communications.
2. Navigation.
This course is an in-depth course in coastal navigation and requires much hands on chart work as well as theory.
3. Patrols.
This course teaches about managing, supervising, and participating in the Auxiliary Operational Patrol Program.
4. Seamanship.
This course teaches all phases of recreational boating seamanship to the member.
5. Search and Rescue.
This course teaches how the Coast Guard runs its Search and Rescue Program as well as techniques on how to perform search missions.
6 Weather.
This course teaches the basics on types of weather, how to forecast weather, and how to stay out of trouble due to changing weather conditions.
In addition, members of the Coast Guard Auxiliary are eligible to take any of the "Nonclassified" correspondence courses from the United States Coast Guard Institute.
How to get a few things done...
Make Yourself a Plan
A Guide to New Member Integration - The First Six Months...link was developed by the National Departments of Training and Personnel to help integrate new members into a flotilla. It's a very good guide but your flotilla may never have heard of it. Being that as it may, a new member should remember that this is a volunteer organization, no two flotillas are the same, and it's sometimes necessary to take your career planning into your own hands.
If your flotilla officers are not using the Guide to New Member Integration, or you are not satisfied with how things are going, then there is no reason you can't read the guide and take a proactive role. The entire Guide is interesting to read, but perhaps the two most important items for the new member are to (1) get an mentor or, better yet, an mentor team, and (2) make a list of your initial goals and a six month schedule to meet them.
If all your flotilla can provide you is a monthly meeting and a list of public courses, or if you simply are not having any fun, then you might want to consider working with another flotilla. Sometimes new members get discouraged and drop out of the Auxiliary, but looking into other flotillas in their area is a better idea. Many members, including longer term members, move between flotillas and there is nothing wrong with this. You can find other flotillas by using the Auxiliary Unit Directory and Finder...link that allows searching for flotillas from either a map or from a zip code (zip codes seem to work better).
Basically Qualified
When a person joins the Coast Guard Auxiliary, they fill out an application, complete a short open book quiz (Auxiliary New Member Course Examination), and undergo an initial security check called a Personal Security Investigation (PSI). It usually takes a couple of months for this to be completed and during this time the new member is in Approval Pending (AP) status. There are new regulations that greatly extend what you can do while in AP status.
If the PSI comes back favorably, the new member moves into either Initially Qualified (IQ) or Basically Qualified (BQ) status, depending on whether or not they have taken a class. Reaching BQ is optional, but is important because it is a requirement for most of the operational programs in the Auxiliary.
To become BQ (reference AUXILIARY MANUAL M16790.1F page 8-5), an Auxiliarist must have completed their application, have a favorable PSI, and must have passed or successfully challenged one of the following courses:
Boating Skills and Seamanship (BS&S)
Sailing Fundamentals (SF)
Boating Safely Course
America's Boating Course (ABC)
United States Power Squadron (USPS) Public Boating Boat Smart Courses
For an Auxiliarist, the BS&S course may be the best choice since this is a thorough review of the subjects the Auxiliarist is likely to encounter. If a new member has taken one of these classes before applying to the Auxiliary, the information is entered in Section IV of the Enrollment Application form ANCS 7001 and they will go straight into BQ status when they get a favorable PSI. Otherwise, they go into IQ status. This is also the time when the first identification card is issued, and it will list the Auxiliarist's status.
To move from IQ to BQ status you must take one of the above classes. At the completion of the course you will be given a certificate. Be sure to get this! Not only will it be needed for the BQ qualification, but it can sometimes be used for a discount on boat insurance.
Your Flotilla Staff Officer - Personnel Services (FSO-PS) can help you with questions you have regarding membership status and moving from one level to the next.
Vessel Examiner
Vessel Safety Checks (VSC) conducted by Vessel Examiners (VE) are a cornerstone of the Auxiliary's boating safety programs. Owners invite us onto their boats to check for a list of items needed for the boat to be legal and safe. If the boat passes the owner get a nice decal to place on the boat, and if they don't pass there is no downside since we simply give them a list of them things needing correction and offer to come back later and recheck.
This is a opportunity to deal directly with the boat and the boater and to do work that clearly leads to protecting lives and property. This is where we prevent a Search and Rescue (SAR) from ever happening. And for many boaters, that Auxiliarist in his or her blue work ODU's checking things like fire extinguishers and navigation lights is the face of the Auxiliary.
This can also be interesting and fun. You get to go aboard boats you would otherwise never visit, and you will see amazing things and hear great stories. One time you will examining someone's dingy and an hour later be in the stand-up engine room of a million dollar yacht. On one boat you can be talking with folks who have boated all their lives and are experts, and on the next boat you'll be talking with someone who will benefit from anything you can say.
Auxiliarists will usually settle on a couple things they like to do and being a VE is a frequent choice. VE is a very good choice for a new Auxiliarist because you can get qualified in a reasonable amount of time and then go to work alongside other members of your Flotilla. If you're are interested in seeing a VSC you can usually ask to tag along with someone from your flotilla doing VSC's.
Recreational Boating Safety Program Visitor
Recreational Boating Safety Visitation Program (RBSVP) is a public outreach program in support of the US Coast Guard's recreational boating safety mission. The purpose of the RBSVP is to promote safe boating for the recreational boating public through the aid of local businesses, offices and marine dealerships, marina's, boating equipment outlets, etc.
There are approximately 80 million boaters in the United States. Great strides toward an ultimate goal of safe and enjoyable recreational boating can be made by making safety and related boating information available wherever the general public shops, passes by or waits. This is achieved by a partnership between Program Visitors (PV), an ambassador from the Auxiliary who is visible source of information for federal, state and local boating safety requirements and education, and the Program Partner, any community business or facility that will allow the PV to place a literature display rack.
Examples could include: marine dealers, plumbing shops, hardware stores, vessel rental agencies, vessel repair agencies, marinas, canvas or sail makers, hospital emergency or other waiting rooms, doctor's offices.
The PV program is another excellent "first" place for the new Auxiliarist to get involved. The program can be very enjoyable if you like going about in the community and chatting with folks about boating. There is some training and an examination required to become qualified, so check with your FSO-PV or your FSO-MT for information.
Go on a Patrol
A new Auxiliarist should not get the impression that everyone is out working on boats. There is a wide range of things to do in the Auxiliary and you will find many members productively spending their time in other, and often less physically demanding, activities.
However, whatever you might eventually plan to do in the Auxiliary, it is a good idea to go on a "familiarization ride" on an Auxiliary patrol. Spending some hours on a boat with other flotilla members is a fine way to get to know them better and to let them get to know you. It's also a good way to learn about the flotilla's operating area and the types of missions they perform. It's a good occasion as well to learn flotilla trivia such as who has fallen overboard in the past (there is always someone) and who thinks they have the best boat (there is always someone).
The new regulations allow a new Auxiliarist to go on a patrol as soon as they go into Approval Pending (AP) status. Sometimes it's hard to get on a boat but one should not get discouraged. Flotillas are different and some have few boats or boats that do not patrol often. Coxswains and boat crew also have to meet minimum yearly requirements to stay current and that takes priority. There are also coxswain and crew trainees that have priority.
Ask your flotilla officers if they can get you a familiarization ride on an Auxiliary patrol. Also ask the boat owners if they can find a spot for you. When you do get on a boat, remember that this is a Coast Guard Auxiliary patrol and not a boat ride. The vessel is operating under Coast Guard orders and is under the command of the coxswain. Even if you have a lot of time on boats, this is an Auxiliary vessel and crew and it is an occasion to keep your eyes open, do what you're told, and try not to fall overboard!
Boat Crew Qualified
Auxiliary boats patrol for a variety of missions. There will be a least one coxswain onboard who is in command of the vessel (although he or she might not be the owner). There will be qualified boat crew, and each vessel has a specified minimum number of crew. There may also be coxswain and crew trainees.
Auxiliary boat crew are trained to essentially the same standards as regular Coast Guard boat crew. It can take as much as a year to prepare for the final oral exam and on-the-water check ride with a Qualification Examiner (QE). Boat crew can be both physically and intellectually demanding. Training is a lot of work with amply opportunities to be hot, cold, wet, bruised, and yelled at. Crew members may find themselves facing critical situations. You might ask yourself if this is really what you want to do in the Auxiliary.
Each flotilla has it's own characteristics and the best training will be found in a flotilla with an active program and is enthusiastic about supporting your goal to become boat crew qualified.
A first step is for the Flotilla Staff Officer - Member Training (FSO-MT) to assign a new trainee to a mentor who is usually an active coxswain. Sometimes training is shared between several boats, and boat crew training can be coordinated from the division level with trainees, crews, coxswains, and boats from several flotillas participating. Training with different people on several boats is advantageous, and one could even suggest that some time spent on an Auxiliary sailboat will pay dividends on the day a disabled sailboat asks for help.
There are three references that are central to boat crew training:
AUXILIARY BOAT CREW TRAINING MANUAL (COMDTINST M16794.series) describes the administrative aspects of the program.
AUXILIARY BOAT CREW QUALIFICATION GUIDE, VOLUME I: CREW MEMBER (COMDTINST M16794.series) contains the specific tasks to be completed and provides a place for mentor signoffs.
BOAT CREW Seamanship Manual (COMDTINST M16114.series) has 888 pages containing most (but not all) of the information you will need to know and demonstrate.
Basically, you'll be going through the check-offs in the qualification guide. Many of these are done on a boat but some, such as the Team Coordination Training (TCT) require a class. Other classes are FEMA ICS-100, ICS-200, ICS-700, and ICS-800. These are often given at a Division or District Training Conference, and they are always available on the web. You can take the swim test at the heated pool, but should talk with your FSO-MT to make sure of your own flotilla's procedure.
The final test is given by a QE and is both oral and on-the-water. When you are ready, you will be signed off for this by your FC. When you go for the test, take you qualification guide and be sure everything is completed, including the Mentor Tracking Form at the front. Take copies of your ICS and TCT certificates. Be able to prove you're basically qualified (BQ). And remember, the QE really would prefer to have you pass and become boat crew qualified.
Offer Your Boat for Auxiliary Use
If you are not getting as much on-the-water time as you would like and you own a boat of your own, a simple solution is to offer your boat for use as an Auxiliary facility. You cannot be the coxswain, but you can be an instant boat crew trainee and man the helm under the coxswain's orders.
Almost every flotilla will be delighted to add another boat as an Auxiliary Operational Facility (OPFAC). The process is fairly simple and the inspection can be performed by any member who is a current Vessel Examiner (VE). The examination and the list of requirements are contained in ANSC 7003, Vessel Facility Inspection and Offer for Use Form.
In general, an OPFAC must be a power boat 14 feet or longer or a sailboat 16 feet or longer. (There is a separate form for personal water craft (PWC)). Most of the requirements on Form 7003 are straight forward. Some extra PFDs are needed since you might be taking people onboard. The portable pump is needed in case a boat is encountered that is taking on water faster than their bilge pump can handle.
Although the Auxiliary is not expected to serve as professional fire fighters, an extra fire extinguisher could come in handy when you have to deal with a burning boat. The stern and bow cleats with backing plates are needed because an OPFAC will do towing. Those pretty chrome cleats on a private boat may be adequate to keep the boat stuck to the dock in a marina, but there is no guarantee that they will hold up when towing another boat in a rough sea.
If you offer your vessel, it passes the inspection, and is accepted by DIRAUX, it will become an OPFAC and can be used for operations under Coast Guard orders.
Many Other Subjects
...to be completed
A Guide to New Member Integration - The First Six Months...link was developed by the National Departments of Training and Personnel to help integrate new members into a flotilla. It's a very good guide but your flotilla may never have heard of it. Being that as it may, a new member should remember that this is a volunteer organization, no two flotillas are the same, and it's sometimes necessary to take your career planning into your own hands.
If your flotilla officers are not using the Guide to New Member Integration, or you are not satisfied with how things are going, then there is no reason you can't read the guide and take a proactive role. The entire Guide is interesting to read, but perhaps the two most important items for the new member are to (1) get an mentor or, better yet, an mentor team, and (2) make a list of your initial goals and a six month schedule to meet them.
If all your flotilla can provide you is a monthly meeting and a list of public courses, or if you simply are not having any fun, then you might want to consider working with another flotilla. Sometimes new members get discouraged and drop out of the Auxiliary, but looking into other flotillas in their area is a better idea. Many members, including longer term members, move between flotillas and there is nothing wrong with this. You can find other flotillas by using the Auxiliary Unit Directory and Finder...link that allows searching for flotillas from either a map or from a zip code (zip codes seem to work better).
Basically Qualified
When a person joins the Coast Guard Auxiliary, they fill out an application, complete a short open book quiz (Auxiliary New Member Course Examination), and undergo an initial security check called a Personal Security Investigation (PSI). It usually takes a couple of months for this to be completed and during this time the new member is in Approval Pending (AP) status. There are new regulations that greatly extend what you can do while in AP status.
If the PSI comes back favorably, the new member moves into either Initially Qualified (IQ) or Basically Qualified (BQ) status, depending on whether or not they have taken a class. Reaching BQ is optional, but is important because it is a requirement for most of the operational programs in the Auxiliary.
To become BQ (reference AUXILIARY MANUAL M16790.1F page 8-5), an Auxiliarist must have completed their application, have a favorable PSI, and must have passed or successfully challenged one of the following courses:
Boating Skills and Seamanship (BS&S)
Sailing Fundamentals (SF)
Boating Safely Course
America's Boating Course (ABC)
United States Power Squadron (USPS) Public Boating Boat Smart Courses
For an Auxiliarist, the BS&S course may be the best choice since this is a thorough review of the subjects the Auxiliarist is likely to encounter. If a new member has taken one of these classes before applying to the Auxiliary, the information is entered in Section IV of the Enrollment Application form ANCS 7001 and they will go straight into BQ status when they get a favorable PSI. Otherwise, they go into IQ status. This is also the time when the first identification card is issued, and it will list the Auxiliarist's status.
To move from IQ to BQ status you must take one of the above classes. At the completion of the course you will be given a certificate. Be sure to get this! Not only will it be needed for the BQ qualification, but it can sometimes be used for a discount on boat insurance.
Your Flotilla Staff Officer - Personnel Services (FSO-PS) can help you with questions you have regarding membership status and moving from one level to the next.
Vessel Examiner
Vessel Safety Checks (VSC) conducted by Vessel Examiners (VE) are a cornerstone of the Auxiliary's boating safety programs. Owners invite us onto their boats to check for a list of items needed for the boat to be legal and safe. If the boat passes the owner get a nice decal to place on the boat, and if they don't pass there is no downside since we simply give them a list of them things needing correction and offer to come back later and recheck.
This is a opportunity to deal directly with the boat and the boater and to do work that clearly leads to protecting lives and property. This is where we prevent a Search and Rescue (SAR) from ever happening. And for many boaters, that Auxiliarist in his or her blue work ODU's checking things like fire extinguishers and navigation lights is the face of the Auxiliary.
This can also be interesting and fun. You get to go aboard boats you would otherwise never visit, and you will see amazing things and hear great stories. One time you will examining someone's dingy and an hour later be in the stand-up engine room of a million dollar yacht. On one boat you can be talking with folks who have boated all their lives and are experts, and on the next boat you'll be talking with someone who will benefit from anything you can say.
Auxiliarists will usually settle on a couple things they like to do and being a VE is a frequent choice. VE is a very good choice for a new Auxiliarist because you can get qualified in a reasonable amount of time and then go to work alongside other members of your Flotilla. If you're are interested in seeing a VSC you can usually ask to tag along with someone from your flotilla doing VSC's.
Recreational Boating Safety Program Visitor
Recreational Boating Safety Visitation Program (RBSVP) is a public outreach program in support of the US Coast Guard's recreational boating safety mission. The purpose of the RBSVP is to promote safe boating for the recreational boating public through the aid of local businesses, offices and marine dealerships, marina's, boating equipment outlets, etc.
There are approximately 80 million boaters in the United States. Great strides toward an ultimate goal of safe and enjoyable recreational boating can be made by making safety and related boating information available wherever the general public shops, passes by or waits. This is achieved by a partnership between Program Visitors (PV), an ambassador from the Auxiliary who is visible source of information for federal, state and local boating safety requirements and education, and the Program Partner, any community business or facility that will allow the PV to place a literature display rack.
Examples could include: marine dealers, plumbing shops, hardware stores, vessel rental agencies, vessel repair agencies, marinas, canvas or sail makers, hospital emergency or other waiting rooms, doctor's offices.
The PV program is another excellent "first" place for the new Auxiliarist to get involved. The program can be very enjoyable if you like going about in the community and chatting with folks about boating. There is some training and an examination required to become qualified, so check with your FSO-PV or your FSO-MT for information.
Go on a Patrol
A new Auxiliarist should not get the impression that everyone is out working on boats. There is a wide range of things to do in the Auxiliary and you will find many members productively spending their time in other, and often less physically demanding, activities.
However, whatever you might eventually plan to do in the Auxiliary, it is a good idea to go on a "familiarization ride" on an Auxiliary patrol. Spending some hours on a boat with other flotilla members is a fine way to get to know them better and to let them get to know you. It's also a good way to learn about the flotilla's operating area and the types of missions they perform. It's a good occasion as well to learn flotilla trivia such as who has fallen overboard in the past (there is always someone) and who thinks they have the best boat (there is always someone).
The new regulations allow a new Auxiliarist to go on a patrol as soon as they go into Approval Pending (AP) status. Sometimes it's hard to get on a boat but one should not get discouraged. Flotillas are different and some have few boats or boats that do not patrol often. Coxswains and boat crew also have to meet minimum yearly requirements to stay current and that takes priority. There are also coxswain and crew trainees that have priority.
Ask your flotilla officers if they can get you a familiarization ride on an Auxiliary patrol. Also ask the boat owners if they can find a spot for you. When you do get on a boat, remember that this is a Coast Guard Auxiliary patrol and not a boat ride. The vessel is operating under Coast Guard orders and is under the command of the coxswain. Even if you have a lot of time on boats, this is an Auxiliary vessel and crew and it is an occasion to keep your eyes open, do what you're told, and try not to fall overboard!
Boat Crew Qualified
Auxiliary boats patrol for a variety of missions. There will be a least one coxswain onboard who is in command of the vessel (although he or she might not be the owner). There will be qualified boat crew, and each vessel has a specified minimum number of crew. There may also be coxswain and crew trainees.
Auxiliary boat crew are trained to essentially the same standards as regular Coast Guard boat crew. It can take as much as a year to prepare for the final oral exam and on-the-water check ride with a Qualification Examiner (QE). Boat crew can be both physically and intellectually demanding. Training is a lot of work with amply opportunities to be hot, cold, wet, bruised, and yelled at. Crew members may find themselves facing critical situations. You might ask yourself if this is really what you want to do in the Auxiliary.
Each flotilla has it's own characteristics and the best training will be found in a flotilla with an active program and is enthusiastic about supporting your goal to become boat crew qualified.
A first step is for the Flotilla Staff Officer - Member Training (FSO-MT) to assign a new trainee to a mentor who is usually an active coxswain. Sometimes training is shared between several boats, and boat crew training can be coordinated from the division level with trainees, crews, coxswains, and boats from several flotillas participating. Training with different people on several boats is advantageous, and one could even suggest that some time spent on an Auxiliary sailboat will pay dividends on the day a disabled sailboat asks for help.
There are three references that are central to boat crew training:
AUXILIARY BOAT CREW TRAINING MANUAL (COMDTINST M16794.series) describes the administrative aspects of the program.
AUXILIARY BOAT CREW QUALIFICATION GUIDE, VOLUME I: CREW MEMBER (COMDTINST M16794.series) contains the specific tasks to be completed and provides a place for mentor signoffs.
BOAT CREW Seamanship Manual (COMDTINST M16114.series) has 888 pages containing most (but not all) of the information you will need to know and demonstrate.
Basically, you'll be going through the check-offs in the qualification guide. Many of these are done on a boat but some, such as the Team Coordination Training (TCT) require a class. Other classes are FEMA ICS-100, ICS-200, ICS-700, and ICS-800. These are often given at a Division or District Training Conference, and they are always available on the web. You can take the swim test at the heated pool, but should talk with your FSO-MT to make sure of your own flotilla's procedure.
The final test is given by a QE and is both oral and on-the-water. When you are ready, you will be signed off for this by your FC. When you go for the test, take you qualification guide and be sure everything is completed, including the Mentor Tracking Form at the front. Take copies of your ICS and TCT certificates. Be able to prove you're basically qualified (BQ). And remember, the QE really would prefer to have you pass and become boat crew qualified.
Offer Your Boat for Auxiliary Use
If you are not getting as much on-the-water time as you would like and you own a boat of your own, a simple solution is to offer your boat for use as an Auxiliary facility. You cannot be the coxswain, but you can be an instant boat crew trainee and man the helm under the coxswain's orders.
Almost every flotilla will be delighted to add another boat as an Auxiliary Operational Facility (OPFAC). The process is fairly simple and the inspection can be performed by any member who is a current Vessel Examiner (VE). The examination and the list of requirements are contained in ANSC 7003, Vessel Facility Inspection and Offer for Use Form.
In general, an OPFAC must be a power boat 14 feet or longer or a sailboat 16 feet or longer. (There is a separate form for personal water craft (PWC)). Most of the requirements on Form 7003 are straight forward. Some extra PFDs are needed since you might be taking people onboard. The portable pump is needed in case a boat is encountered that is taking on water faster than their bilge pump can handle.
Although the Auxiliary is not expected to serve as professional fire fighters, an extra fire extinguisher could come in handy when you have to deal with a burning boat. The stern and bow cleats with backing plates are needed because an OPFAC will do towing. Those pretty chrome cleats on a private boat may be adequate to keep the boat stuck to the dock in a marina, but there is no guarantee that they will hold up when towing another boat in a rough sea.
If you offer your vessel, it passes the inspection, and is accepted by DIRAUX, it will become an OPFAC and can be used for operations under Coast Guard orders.
Many Other Subjects
...to be completed
Resources
There are many resources available to guide the Auxiliarist. Here are some that might be useful for someone getting started.
All the Auxiliary manuals are online at http://www.uscg.mil/hq/cg3/cg3pcx/publications/comdtinst/default.asp.
Two manuals you will find valuable for explaining policy and procedure are:
USCG Auxiliary Manual (M16790.1F)
Auxiliary Operations Policy Manual (M16798.3E)
The new member reference is at http://www.uscg.mil/hq/cg3/cg3pcx/publications/auxmanuals/NewMemberRef.pdf
The new member handbook is at http://www.uscg.mil/hq/cg3/cg3pcx/publications/newmember/NewMemberHandbook.asp
Two references on courtesy and protocol are: http://www.dirauxwest.org/customs_&_courte.htm and http://www.d7oax3.org/AuxMan/AuxMan_Chap12_Courtesy.pdf .
Revised policies for Auxiliarists in Approval Pending (AP) status can be found at http://www.uscg.mil/hq/cg3/cg3pcx/administration/security/AP-GUIDE-AUG07-4FINAL.pdf
USCG Directives System (Unclassified and non-for-official-use-only (non-FOUO) Coast Guard Instructions, Manuals, and Notices.) http://www.uscg.mil/directives/default.asp
The Chief Director Auxiliary is at http://www.uscg.mil/hq/cg3/cg3pcx/
Where would we be without forms, and you can find the forms list at http://forms.cgaux.org/forms.html.
Look at national Form 7029 for reporting personal time and begin completing and turning this in now -- you don't have to sworn in to start reporting your hours.
Visit the National Training Department website at http://www.auxtdept.org/ . On the left side of the home page select "Documentation Revision List" to identify the current training materials.
Information on the new electronic National Testing Center is at http://www.uscg.mil/hq/cg3/cg3pcx/publications/misc/E-Testing-NACO-8-07.pdf
Some help with uniforms and ribbons can be found at http://www.dirauxwest.org/UniformsandRibbons.htm.
There is a nice article with lots of pictures from the Coast Guard Reserve Magazine at http://www.uscg.mil/hq/reserve/magazine/mag2006/Special%20Issue%20Uniform/UniformIssue2.pdf. Just remember to change the buttons and insignia from gold to silver.
Another reference can be found at http://www.uscg.mil/hq/cg3/cg3pcx/cginfo/uniforms/.
The Coast Guard Auxiliary knowledge base and frequently asked questions can be found at http://kb.cgaux.info/
Coast Guard Auxiliary Association is at http://www.cgauxa.org/
All the Auxiliary manuals are online at http://www.uscg.mil/hq/cg3/cg3pcx/publications/comdtinst/default.asp.
Two manuals you will find valuable for explaining policy and procedure are:
USCG Auxiliary Manual (M16790.1F)
Auxiliary Operations Policy Manual (M16798.3E)
The new member reference is at http://www.uscg.mil/hq/cg3/cg3pcx/publications/auxmanuals/NewMemberRef.pdf
The new member handbook is at http://www.uscg.mil/hq/cg3/cg3pcx/publications/newmember/NewMemberHandbook.asp
Two references on courtesy and protocol are: http://www.dirauxwest.org/customs_&_courte.htm and http://www.d7oax3.org/AuxMan/AuxMan_Chap12_Courtesy.pdf .
Revised policies for Auxiliarists in Approval Pending (AP) status can be found at http://www.uscg.mil/hq/cg3/cg3pcx/administration/security/AP-GUIDE-AUG07-4FINAL.pdf
USCG Directives System (Unclassified and non-for-official-use-only (non-FOUO) Coast Guard Instructions, Manuals, and Notices.) http://www.uscg.mil/directives/default.asp
The Chief Director Auxiliary is at http://www.uscg.mil/hq/cg3/cg3pcx/
Where would we be without forms, and you can find the forms list at http://forms.cgaux.org/forms.html.
Look at national Form 7029 for reporting personal time and begin completing and turning this in now -- you don't have to sworn in to start reporting your hours.
Visit the National Training Department website at http://www.auxtdept.org/ . On the left side of the home page select "Documentation Revision List" to identify the current training materials.
Information on the new electronic National Testing Center is at http://www.uscg.mil/hq/cg3/cg3pcx/publications/misc/E-Testing-NACO-8-07.pdf
Some help with uniforms and ribbons can be found at http://www.dirauxwest.org/UniformsandRibbons.htm.
There is a nice article with lots of pictures from the Coast Guard Reserve Magazine at http://www.uscg.mil/hq/reserve/magazine/mag2006/Special%20Issue%20Uniform/UniformIssue2.pdf. Just remember to change the buttons and insignia from gold to silver.
Another reference can be found at http://www.uscg.mil/hq/cg3/cg3pcx/cginfo/uniforms/.
The Coast Guard Auxiliary knowledge base and frequently asked questions can be found at http://kb.cgaux.info/
Coast Guard Auxiliary Association is at http://www.cgauxa.org/
