Be Part of the Action, Volunteer!        

  The Coast Guard Auxiliary is the volunteer civilian, non-military component of the United States Coast Guard. The Auxiliary is a Service Organization providing:

The Auxiliary teaches Public Education courses in safe boating skills and seamanship that reach people of all age groups.

The Vessel Safety Check program offers boaters free, annual checks of their boats' safety equipment and a general view of other equipment.

The Operations program helps in search and rescue efforts, regatta patrols, boat parades and other similar efforts.

And lastly, but very importantly, Fellowship is the glue that holds everything together.

Since the recreational boating population in the United States is growing rapidly, the Coast Guard Auxiliary needs a few good men and women like you. As an Auxiliarist, you will have the opportunity to select and participate in one or more of the Auxiliary's major programs. If you feel strongly about the rewards you can get from serving your community, the Coast Guard Auxiliary is the right place for you! Either through on-water Operations, the Auxiliary's Public Education Program, Vessel Safety Check Program, Radio Watchstander, Coast Guard Recruiting, Marine Environmental Protection or Coast Guard Administration.

Increase your skills  - The Auxiliary and the Coast Guard provide specialized training on all aspects of boating, as well as leadership and administration. Auxiliarists receive valuable training in seamanship and related skills, and enjoy the sense of confidence of knowing that they are better and safer boaters.

 
Support the Coast Guard - Auxiliarists provide direct operational and administrative support to many local Coast Guard units. You can wear the Coast Guard Auxiliary uniform and become part of Team Coast Guard. When you qualify through training, you can take part in Search and Rescue operations, stand radio watch at the Coast Guard Station, work with the Marine Safety Office on pollution matters or work in the Recruiting Office.

Service to your community - Auxiliarists aren't paid with money, but with satisfaction. We furnish and maintain our own equipment and can choose to participate at a level tailored to our individual capabilities. We provide boating safety classes for youth and adults and examine recreational vessels for safety equipment to ensure that our neighbors will be safe on the waterways.

Enjoy fun and fellowship - In all activities, enjoy fellowship -- the good company of other Auxiliarists at meetings and training sessions, on patrols and other missions, and at ceremonies and social events. One of the Auxiliary's trademarks is good old-fashioned hospitality. Friends, neighbors and interested members of the public are always welcome to attend one of our flotilla meetings. In addition, dedication to boating safety provides the atmosphere for getting together to swap boating experiences and participate in cruises and rendezvous. You'll find a special camaraderie among Auxiliarists that's hard to beat. There's time to relax and have fun at Auxiliary outings, training sessions, patrols, VSCs, classes, and conferences. Auxiliarists make lasting, meaningful friendships. Knowing that you belong to a special group of people and directly participate in helping save lives gives your Auxiliary membership a special meaning.

  Above and beyond the intrinsic benefits we all receive by volunteering our time and talents, Auxiliarists are privileged to receive many other benefits not available to other volunteer organizations. Both the Coast Guard and the National Board, Inc. provide these benefits as an enhancement to our volunteer service. The following is a listing of some of the benefits available to members:

Coast Guard Federal Credit Union - The Coast Guard Credit Union provides all the services of a bank, but returns profits to the members instead of the stockholders. From savings and checking accounts to home equity lines of credit, the Credit Union has a lot to offer.

Coast Guard Mutual Assistance - Mutual Assistance provides an emergency fund that can provide fast financial relief when a member faces an unexpected or "impossible" financial burden that would cause personal hardship if no assistance were provided. Auxiliarists may apply for such a loan and are considered as "Sponsor Members" under the program. If approved, the emergency loan is interest free.

Coast Guard Work-Life Programs - Auxiliarists can take advantage of certain Coast Guard Work-life Programs such as:

Insurance -  A variety of insurance programs benefit the Auxiliarist operating under Coast Guard orders.This includes medical, hospitalization, disability and death benefits should an accident occur in the performance of your duty.  If your boat, aircraft or other authorized Auxiliary facility is damaged or destroyed while legitimately engaged in Auxiliary operations, coverage for repairs or replacement would be provided. Government liability coverage protects the Auxiliarist from third party claims made as a result of actions that occur when the Auxiliarist is performing authorized missions and has been properly assigned to duty.  In order to maintain this coverage, all incidents and accidents must be reported to your issuing authority for the mission. As a caution, there must be strict adherence with the terms of all Coast Guard regulations and orders, as well as the Auxiliary Manual or the claim will be denied.

Exchange Privileges - Auxiliarists in uniform, with proper identification, can purchase anything sold in the Coast Guard Exchange Stores except liquor and cigarettes. Dependents may accompany Auxiliarists to the Exchange, but may not make individual purchases. Members of the Auxiliary are also welcome at Department of Defense Exchanges, but only uniform items or accessories may be purchased.

Publications - Members receive the Auxiliary National publication, The Navigator, their own District publication, and other bulletins to keep abreast of Coast Guard, Auxiliary and general boating information.

Uniforms and Awards - The pride of wearing the Auxiliary uniform is amplified by awards and advancement, with ample opportunities to receive recognition by completing Auxiliary training courses and participating in programs authorized by your Flotilla leadership.

Tax Deductions - Uniforms, their cleaning and maintenance, and reasonable out of pocket expenses incurred in the performance of your duties are "considered" contributions for tax purposes. The foregoing is not intended to be advice on deductibility. Your should consult your professional tax advisor.

Specialty Courses - These advanced courses can be self-taught or class room. An exam is taken at end of each course.

• Auxiliary Administration
• Communications
• Search & Rescue
• Navigation
• Patrols
• Seamanship
• Weather

Auxiliary National "C" Schools -  The National "C" schools Vision Statement consist of viewing training as a three tiered educational process and delivery system. These three levels are flotilla level training and certification, district/division training (including the annual National Training Conference), and the National "C" schools.  The national staff conducts national schools at CG training facilities in different parts of the country. Auxiliarists who have been active in their mission area, meet the course prerequisites, and agree to further train members in their own district/division upon return, are eligible to apply. All national schools have course prerequisites.  All Auxiliary national school are classified as CG "C" school training for purposes of messing, berthing, classroom, and logistics. Due to the limited number of quotas available to these schools, Auxiliarists are ineligible to attend if they have been enrolled in any Auxiliary national school within the past three years.

Coast Guard Courses -  SAR School Training. National Search and Rescue schools may be offered annually to Auxiliarists in locations varying from year to year throughout the country. The general program consists of classroom lectures interspersed with practical problems, guest speakers prominent in the field of search and rescue, workshops, examinations, and homework. The SAR School training is advanced training designed to provide specific instruction to CG and selected Auxiliary personnel who may participate in SAR activities in CG Operations Centers (OPCENs).

Coast Guard Correspondence Courses  -  All correspondence courses offered by the CG Institute, except classified courses, are available to Auxiliary members. Aviation, boat-handling, damage control, electrical, electronics, telephone technician, navigation are a few that are offered.