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| Phil Pelter, FC | Walter Hillebrand, VFC |
US COAST GUARD AUXILIARY IS LOOKING TO "WELCOME ABOARD" NEW VOLUNTEERS
Who is the Coast Guard Auxiliary?
Since its creation by Congress in 1939, the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary has served as the civilian, non-military component of the Coast Guard. Today, the 35,000 volunteer men and women of the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary are active on the waterways and classrooms in over 2,000 cities and towns across the nation. Each year, Auxiliarists (people just like you) save almost 500 lives, assist some 15,000 boaters in distress, conduct more than 150,000 courtesy safety examinations of recreational vessels, and teach over 500,000 students in boating and water safety courses. The results of these efforts save taxpayers hundreds of millions of dollars every year.
General Requirements
Membership is open to any citizen of the United States and its territories and possessions, who is 17 years of age or older. Facilities (radio station, boat or aircraft) ownership and special skills are desirable but not mandatory. Auxiliary membership is also open to all current active duty now serving OR to former members of any uniformed services and their reserve components, to include the Coast Guard (CG), discharged under honorable conditions.
The U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary is the uniformed volunteer component of the United States Coast Guard, and is actively seeking more volunteers interested in serving their country and their community.
The Coast Guard's philosophy is "ready for today...preparing for tomorrow" against all threats and all hazards. The role of the Coast Guard Auxiliary is to be a 'force multiplier" for the Coast Guard.
The Commandant of the Coast Guard, has frequently stated that the Coast Guard Auxiliary is an integral part of Team Coast Guard. The Auxiliary participates in all Coast Guard missions authorized by Congress, with the exception of direct law enforcement and military action.
What will I be able to do as an auxiliarist? With the proper training you can become a boat crew member, and participate in various patrols such as, search and rescue, maritime awareness, and safety patrols, etc. You can teach boating safety classes, conduct vessel safety checks, participate in authorized public events, You can become an Instructor, a Watch stander, information technologies, administrative roles, and many, many, other activities. They are also seeking those individuals who want to contribute their talents in the areas of web design, information technology, public affairs, and in many other administrative roles.
Training opportunities (most of which are free) include boat crew and coxswain (small boat operator), vessel examiner, boating safety class instructor, public affairs, and many others. There are no upper age limits or height/weight standards (although for boat crew, you must be able to perform certain tasks). Serve as many hours as you want that your schedule allows.
Contact our Flotilla Staff Officer for Human Resources (FSO-HR). Contact information could be found on our Flotilla Staff Page
Webmaster: Phil Pelter
Last updated: 6 March 2021