What is the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary?
How did the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary come to be?
What does the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary do?
Where can I find the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary?
Who can join the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary?
Why should I join the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary?
In short, the Coast Guard Auxiliary is the uniformed, civilian volunteer component of the United States Coast Guard. Tens-of-thousands of men and women of the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary have spent millions of volunteer hours assisting the U.S. Coast Guard in the completion of its mission. They have saved countless lives through their work and are probably best known for their boating safety classes and Vessel Safety Checks.
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When the Coast Guard "Reserve" was authorized by act of Congress on June 23rd, 1939, the Coast Guard was given a legislative mandate to use civilian volunteers to promote safety on and over the high seas and the nation's navigable waters. The Coast Guard Reserve was then a non-military service comprised of unpaid, volunteer U.S. citizens who owned motorboats or yachts.
Two years later, on Feb. 19th, Congress amended the 1939 act with passage of the Auxiliary and Reserve Act of 1941. Passage of this act designated the Reserve as a military branch of the active service; while the civilian volunteers, formerly referred to as the Coast Guard Reserve, became the Auxiliary. So, February 19th is formally recognized as the birth of the Coast Guard Reserve while June 23rd is recognized as the "birthday" of the Coast Guard Auxiliary.
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The Auxiliary's four cornerstones - Vessel Examination, Education, Operations, and Fellowship - were established and remain the Auxiliary's primary missions. The well-known Vessel Safety Check, a free examination available to any recreational boater, helps boaters ensure their craft complies with Federal boating regulations. As for Education; the Auxiliary teaches boating safety to recreational boaters of all ages and abilities. The Auxiliary operates safety and regatta patrols and is an integral part of the Coast Guard Search and Rescue Team.
Auxiliarists also stand communication watches, assist during mobilization exercises, perform harbor and pollution patrols, provide platforms for unarmed boarding parties and recruit new people for the Service. In fact, the Auxiliary directly supports the Coast Guard in all missions, except military and law enforcement actions. Following passage of the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 1996; the Auxiliary assists the Coast Guard, as authorized by the Commandant, in performance of any Coast Guard function, duty, role, mission or operation authorized by law.The Auxiliary has members in all 50 states, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, American Samoa, and Guam. To find the Auxiliary unit closest to you, use the Flotilla Finder.
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Membership is open to men and women, 17 years or older, U.S. citizens of all states and territories, civilians or active duty or former members of any of the uniformed services and their Reserve components, including the Coast Guard. Facility (radio station, boat, or aircraft) ownership is desirable but not mandatory.
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If you are looking for some adventure in your life, consider joining the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary. Wherever your interests lie, and whatever life skills you have, chances are the Coast Guard Auxiliary can offer you an area to serve that will enrich your life in ways you may not have imagined. The Auxiliary offers you a unique opportunity to make a real difference in your local community and across the country.
We welcome and recognize your past experience, skills and talent. We challenge you to have fun learning new skills and qualifications in company with a very special group of volunteers. Portions of the information found in the above FAQs were gathered from the following sources:
http://nws.cgaux.org/visitors/about_the_auxiliary/index.html
http://join.cgaux.org/whatis.html
http://join.cgaux.org/whyshould.html
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