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Since its creation by Congress
in 1939, the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary (the Auxiliary) has served
as the civilian, non-military component of the Coast Guard. Today,
the 30,000 volunteer men and women of the Auxiliary are active on
the waterways and classrooms in over 2,000 cities and towns across
the nation.
Each year, Auxiliarists 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 saves taxpayers hundreds of
millions of dollars every year.
WHY JOIN THE AUXILIARY?
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Enjoy Fun
& 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.
FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT JOINING
THE AUXILIARY
The Auxiliary has members in
all 50 States, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, American Samoa,
and Guam.
Membership is open to any U.S.
citizen at least 17 years of age.
To meet the increasing demands
of the Coast Guard, (due to the sensitive nature of some of its
missions), the Department of Homeland Security has also mandated
that all prospective Auxiliary members submit to, and be qualified
in, terms of security by utilizing citizenship verification,
fingerprint and background checks. Those who are cleared will be
eligible to become part of the Auxiliary.
Please feel free to contact us either by
email to the SO-PS on the officers page or via online form below.
Your confidential inquiry will be forwarded to an Auxiliary officer who lives in
your general area for follow-up.
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