United States Coast Guard Auxiliary

This Information Booklet is presented to: ___________________________________________

Our flotilla meets at: the building of Justice and Associates, 4155 Outer Circle Drive, at the Traffic Circle on PCH in Long Beach, CA

Meetings are every: third Thursday of every month except August and December

Congratulations on expressing an interest in joining the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary. Your interest indicates you have a desire to assist the Coast Guard in its overall operational responsibilities and in promoting recreational boating safety within a volunteer organization. For further information please contact either of the Auxiliary members listed below:

While socializing is a part of the Auxiliary, it is not our primary purpose. The Auxiliary is a SERVICE ORGANIZATION, composed of men and women actively supporting Coast Guard civil functions. The U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary was established by Congress in 1939 as the Coast Guard volunteer, non-military component and is currently expanding its role within Team Coast Guard. The Auxiliary performs many jobs for the Coast Guard. In some parts of the country, the Auxiliary provides recreational boating safety support to state and local authorities.

Training! A series of courses are provided at no cost to you by the Auxiliary. These courses prepare members to actively support Auxiliary programs and activities. You will have the opportunity for personal growth by learning new skills and participating in many different activities to assist the Coast Guard. The operations that Auxiliarists perform will give you a sense of pride and accomplishment while assisting others. As an Auxiliarist, you enjoy certain honors and privileges. Among them are wearing the Coast Guard Auxiliary uniform and proudly flying the Auxiliary’s "Blue Ensign."

As a member, you are expected to contribute time and resources in furthering our programs and activities. Your individual service can be in one of several areas assisting the Coast Guard in its many mission areas. You will be expected to conduct yourself in a professional manner while participating in public service aimed at assisting the recreational boating public and the Coast Guard. Of course, fellowship is an important Auxiliary function and your participation is encouraged.

Being a part of Team Coast Guard, your actions are a direct reflection on both the Coast Guard and the Auxiliary. The Auxiliary needs dedicated people to carry on the high quality programs and missions which make the Coast Guard the premier maritime service in the world.

You will receive the best possible training available, since as an Auxiliarist you are eligible to receive Coast Guard and Auxiliary mission orders. In conducting these missions, you will be interacting with the public as well as other Coast Guard and Auxiliary members.

As with all members of TEAM Coast Guard, you will be expected to comply with and support policies mandating the avoidance of sexual harassment, discrimination, drug and alcohol abuse.

The Auxiliary’s primary function is to assist the Coast Guard in its missions of serving the public. As an Auxiliarist you are expected to aid your Flotilla in one or more of these programs such as:

The flotilla is the Auxiliary’s basic unit. The day of the month, time and location of local meetings are listed on the front page of this booklet. As a flotilla member, every Auxiliarist is expected to attend flotilla meetings.

The flotilla is led by two Officers, the Flotilla Commander and the Flotilla Vice Commander. The Auxiliary differs from the Coast Guard since our leaders are elected by the flotilla members. Additionally, various staff officers are appointed by the Flotilla Commander to manage the flotilla’s activities. Successful completion of the Flotilla Administrative Procedures Guide Examination is one requirement of a candidate for elected office. If you desire, you will have the opportunity to serve in any of these positions.

With the completion of a signed Enrollment Application, you will begin the New Member Entry Training program. This program will explain the Auxiliary and its functions, and assist you in the qualifying process. When your membership has been approved by the District or Region Director of Auxiliary, you will be enrolled as a member of the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary. Membership entitles you to many training opportunities, including:

If you desire to participate in any of these activities, you must first undergo training and qualification in the specific program. These qualifications are designed to ensure you have a proficiency in your specialty and satisfy certain Coast Guard requirements. Ample opportunity to participate in the qualification training is provided by Auxiliary trainers throughout each year.

If you have a vessel and want to use it to assist Coast Guard and Auxiliary operational programs, you must offer it for use as an operational facility. Operational Facility owners and others wishing to participate in on-the-water activities must complete a Boat Crew Qualification program.

The Boat Crew Qualification program consists of in-depth seamanship and boat handling training followed by a series of proficiency tests, both written and practical. These validate your ability to competently carry out operational missions as a crew member or coxswain.

At some point you may wish to participate in the advanced Operational Auxiliarist (AUXOP) program. This qualification involves more training! You must successfully pass seven Specialty Courses and any related practical demonstrations of proficiency. These courses may be taken any time throughout your Auxiliary career and should be a fun and meaningful experience. The seven Specialty Courses are listed below:

As you can see, there is a wealth of training courses available to you at no cost.

Like other organizations, there are personal costs involved as a part Auxiliary membership.

Many uniform and safety items can be purchased from the Auxiliary Materials Officers.

We are always looking for dedicated people who are interested in assisting the Coast Guard through Auxiliary membership.

The satisfaction you derive from your Auxiliary membership will be in proportion to your participation level in the organization’s activities. The Coast Guard Auxiliary’s success will depend on the extent of your participation and on the quality of the leaders you, the member, select.

Facility ownership is not required to become an Auxiliarist; however, we need you to contribute some of your time and effort. Your special and professional skills are useful to the Coast Guard and Auxiliary.

Your involvement is not only needed in the support of Coast Guard and Auxiliary operational and administrative areas, but in the development of our fellowship within the membership. One of the Auxiliary’s trademarks is good old fashioned hospitality and fun. 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, and classes.

We hope after you read this you will decide to join our organization. The task of promoting boating safety and the responsibility of assisting the active duty forces of the United States Coast Guard is a large one. You will have many demands and in some cases some frustrations. Overall you will find rewards and self-satisfaction.

When your membership has been approved by the Director of Auxiliary, a Coast Guard Officer, you will be asked to pledge your commitment to support the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary, an organization dedicated to promoting boating safety and providing assistance to the United States Coast Guard in the fulfillment of its civil functions. You are accepting this membership as a volunteer; but as a member, you are charged with certain responsibilities and obligations. These include your willingness to support the Coast Guard Auxiliary and its purposes and to participate in its authorized programs to the best of your ability and to the extent time and circumstances permit.

While all of what you have read so far seems extremely demanding of your time and energy you will find self satisfaction from learning while you participate in many of the Auxiliary’s programs. A sense of pride comes from knowing you are helping others, whether it be as safe boaters or some assistance requested by the Coast Guard or other Auxiliarists. You will find a spirit of fellowship at every level of the Auxiliary. So look us over, ask us questions and if you feel that you would like to be among the 34,000 Auxiliarists in the Coast Guard family, or would like to have more information, call one of the flotilla officers listed inside the front cover.

Increase your Boating Skills	Help Save Lives
Teach Boating Safety	Assist the Coast Guard
Train with the Best
Enjoy Fun and Fellowship