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What is the 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 33,000 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 (folks 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.

Interested? See our Flotilla page for contact information or e-mail the Webmaster

Why Join?

Be Part of the Action & Help Save Lives -- 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-the-water Operations, the Auxiliary's Public Education Program, Courtesy Examination 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 in 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 the team. 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 vessel 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 he 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, CMEs, classes, and conferences. Auxiliarists make lasting, meaningful friendships. Knowing that you belong to a special group of people who directly participate in helping save lives gives your Auxiliary membership a special meaning.

Interested? See our Flotilla page for contact information or e-mail the Webmaster

Auxiliary Roles

What do we do? As the civilian volunteer component of the U.S. Coast Guard we participate in all U.S. Coast Guard missions except those that are military in nature or involve direct law enforcement activities.

Common roles include:

Instructor

Vessel Examiner

Boat Crew or Coxswain

Marine Dealer Visitor

Pilot, Aircrew or Observer

Marine Safety and Environmental Protection Specialist

Radio Operator/Watchstander

Elected or Staff Officer

Visit our National e-Magazine to read about the Auxiliary in Action!

Interested? See our Flotilla page for contact information or e-mail the Webmaster

Department of Homeland Security    |    U.S. Coast Guard     |   USCG District 13  |  USCG Sector Portland

U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary National Website    |    U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary District 13 Website