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Why Join the Auxiliary?
So you want to help America
Benefits of Membership
How to Join

Why Join the Auxiliary?

J O I N   U S

·       BE PART OF THE ACTION & HELP SAVE LIVES -- 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, 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 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 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 and directly participate in helping save lives gives your Auxiliary membership a special meaning.

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So you want to help America

J O I N   U S

The Coast Guard Auxiliary is more than just boats…

By Prof. Wayne Spivak

Today, more than ever, the Auxiliary may be just the place you want to be, helping both your neighborhood and your country in a time of need. Make no mistake about it, both the Coast Guard and your country need all the help it can get, and not just for Homeland Defense, or to fight terrorism, but in everyday aspects that we still take for granted.

While there is a new heightened sense of security issues, all the other issues that were present in your life still exist. Lets see if some of the roles that the Coast Guard Auxiliary is involved with meets your desires…

You can make your opportunity in the USCG Auxiliary. That's right, the Auxiliary can provide you the opportunity to both learn new skills and provide public service right where you live! All they ask is that you volunteer. All you need to do is ask.

Training may take some time, and some of the qualifications you may earn require additional maintenance time, but with those exceptions there is no minimum number of hours you need to commit.

Who joins the Auxiliary? Men and women, who are US Citizens and over 17 years of age. Professionals, students, retired people, retired military, teachers, electricians, doctors, plumbers, lawyers, shipping clerks, computer professionals. All walks of life join the Auxiliary, with the same ultimate common goal.

The 38,000 men and women who volunteer their time with the CG Auxiliary do so because they want to make a difference. They want to make a difference in their neighborhood and region. They care! And what's more important is they have and continue to make a difference! That's the common goal, to make a difference.

I myself just joined the Auxiliary. Why you ask? Because I, like most Americans saw the World Trade Center disaster unfold on television. But in my case it goes even further. I knew many of the responders (police, fire and emergency medical workers) and used to be a member of NYC's Emergency Medical Service. I also knew one of America's heroes, who died so others may live.

I was unable, unlike in 1993, to respond and assist. One of the first rules of rescue is don't become a victim! The smoke and air quality was so bad, that if I had gone and helped, I would have become a victim, instead of a rescuer.

So I started to search for an organization that was doing something about our national crises. I have always been involved in public service, and have been involved in recreational boating safety for the past 9 years. So I knew about the Auxiliary, but never thought it was right for me.

I was wrong. I never realized that the men and women of the Auxiliary back-fill almost every job in the Coast Guard with the exception of direct law enforcement and military activities. I didn't know Auxiliarists were on duty at the Coast Guard office just a few blocks away from the World Trade Center.

Within minutes of the disaster these Auxiliarists and others from all over the metropolitan region called their local stations and offered their assistance. Immediately the Coast Guard used their force multiplier, the volunteers who are the Auxiliary, to boost the number of boats, planes and people available for all functions of the Coast Guard.

Within an hour of the disaster CG Auxiliary vessels, which are privately owned boats, manned by trained volunteers sped to the disaster to assist in ferrying police, fire, medical personal, as well as supplies and anything else needed. This was done as the regular Coast Guard vessels were maintaining port security. If you're thinking you have to spend a lot of money to be a member, you're wrong. As long as you're on what's called reimbursable orders (in other words, you're officially working), the Coast Guard will reimburse you for certain expenses. Other expenses, such as uniforms or equipment, are not reimbursed but are tax deductible (speak to your tax advisor about this).

All over the country, Auxiliary members were called in to assist the regular members of the Coast Guard, as our Armed Force were put on high alert. As the regular Coast Guard officers and enlisted were arming themselves and going on security patrols, the Auxiliary members (who by law are forbidden to participate in law enforcement and military actions) took over all the other jobs.

Each member, who was trained by either Coast Guard or Auxiliary trainers, used their specific training to aid America. They went on Search and Rescue missions. They handled the radio traffic, they did paperwork, they moved supplies by vehicle, and they did perimeter patrols. The key words here are that THEY DID!

So if you're like me, and want to DO, instead of just sitting by and letting someone else do it, then contact your local United States Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla.
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Benefits of Membership

J O I N   U S

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 staff of the member Services Directorate (Personnel, Training, Marketing and Public Affairs) has compiled our current benefits in a colorful brochure so that the information can be shared with current and prospective members.  (Adobe Acrobat™ format, 96KB).  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 Unit 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:

Family

Wellness

Dependent Resources

Employee Assistance

Relocation Assistance

 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.

Fellowship

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, you will find a special camaraderie among Auxiliarists that is hard to beat. Along with our missions we find time to relax and have fun at Auxiliary outings, training sessions, patrols, CMEs, classes, and conferences. Auxiliarists make lasting, meaningful friendships.

How to Join

J O I N   U S

Visit District 11NR list of flotilla locations...link

Find the local flotilla by using the Flotilla Finder

E-mail D11NR Personnel Services Officers
FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT JOINING THE AUXILIARY

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