June 23, 2009 marked 70 years of service to the Coast Guard and the nation.  In recognition of this historic event, ADM Allen presented to the Auxiliary the Coast Guard Unit Commendation (CGUC).  Auxiliarist who served in any status from 24 Jun 1999 to 23 Jun 2009 are authorized to wear the CGUC Ribbon.

The USCG Auxiliary:

• is a volunteer civilian, non-military component of the United States Coast Guard (USCG) whose primary purpose is to assist with Coast Guard civilian missions

• has its roots, traditions and code of behavior built on US Coast Guard Core Values & Creed - Honor, Respect & Devotion To Duty

• structure and administrative policies can only be made or changed by the USCG Commandant and National Governing Board 

• is prohibited from getting involved in Direct Law Enforcement and Military Actions by Federal statute (Title 14 US Code Chapter 23)

• must abide by all rules, regulations, policies, and laws established by parent Federal and State agencies

Today the Auxiliary plays a larger role than at any other time in history.  The over 30,000 members who come from all ethnic backgrounds, races, religions and walks of life creates the strength, depth and flexibility to effectively deal with the wide variety of missions and activities required to serve the CG and our nation including helping to protect our waterways and maritime assets, preserving and protecting our environment, advocating recreational boating boating safety, teaching boating safety courses, assisting the recreational boating public on-the-water, serving as foreign language Interpreters and supporting all other USCG non-law enforcement missions.

Auxiliary Video Clips        National Organization        Directory of Services

Cornerstones Of Service

RECREATIONAL BOATING SAFETY & SUPPORT

Public Education (PE) - raise the overall awareness of recreational boating community on how to be safe, responsible, knowledgeable and confident boaters;  teach courses to help develop, enhance and maintain seamanship and boating safety related knowledge and skills  

Vessel Safety Checks(VSC) - conduct free recreational vessel checks that include inspecting all required federal, state and local safety related equipment and systems to verify they are in good working condition,  recommend USCG best practices as appropriate and answer boating related questions  

Recreational Boating Safety Visitation Program (RBSVP) -  establish and maintain working relationships with program partners such as marine dealerships, marinas, boating/yacht clubs, boat builders, water privileged communities and other local businesses or organizations that interact with recreational boaters close to the point of use to promote, encourage, remind and support safe boating practices 

Communication Services (CS)  - create, maintain, operate and promote the use of a Flotilla Website to assist external boating community conveniently access the information and  services needed to be informed,  knowledgeable, responsible and safe boaters and internal Auxiliary members access the the information and resources needed to effectively fulfill their duties and responsibilities.  Encourage and promote the use of electronic communication tools and services within the Flotilla.

DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY, COAST GUARD, STATE & COMMUNITY SUPPORT

Operations (OP) - coordinate, schedule and oversee activities required to recruit, train and maintain sufficient Boat Crew and Surface Operational Facilities needed to conduct assigned safety, regatta and special event patrols as well as providing support for search and rescue operations (SAR) as requested

Communications (CM) - coordinate, schedule and oversee activities required to recruit, train and maintain qualified staff and Radio Operational Facilities needed to assist the Auxiliary and U.S. Coast Guard with radio communications and services as well as serve as radio watchstanders at USCG facilities

Public Affairs (PA) - establish working relationships with newspaper, radio and television media personnel and facilitate the appearance of articles and coverage of flotilla, auxiliary and boating community activities of interest to the boating public

Aviation (AV) - coordinate, schedule and oversee activities required to recruit, train and maintain sufficient Crew and Operational Facilities needed to provide air support for visual fixes, coordination, communications and SAR missions 

WATERWAY, MARITIME & ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION / PRESERVATION

Marine Safety & Environmental Protection (MS) - coordinate, schedule and oversee activities required to recruit, train and maintain qualified staff to assist the Coast Guard in protecting and preserving our ports and maritime assets, controlling pollution and responding to marine emergencies / spills.

Aids To Navigation (AN) - coordinate, schedule and oversee activities required to recruit, train and maintain qualified staff to verify position and operation of public and private aids to navigation and assist with identifying required updates to navigation charts, light lists, notice to mariners and related publications

MEMBER DEVELOPMENT, SERVICES & FELLOWSHIP

Member Training (MT)  -  coordinate, schedule, oversee, encourage and support ongoing training, education and learning activities required to develop, enhance and maintain member boating, mission and individual knowledge, capabilities and skills required to successfully conduct all approved flotilla missions and programs.   Coordinate and oversee appropriate on-the-water training patrols needed to ensure members possess required skills and competencies to fulfill identified mission needs.

Finance (FN)

Information Services (IS)

Materials (MA)

Publications (PB) 

Secretary of Records (SR) 

Personnel Services (PS) 

Fellowship or family oriented fun activities and socialization to help build working relationships and lasting friendships is an important part of membership in the Auxiliary.  Whenever possible, USCG and DHS team members are included in these activities as a way to help bind the entire organization together and make "Team Coast Guard" a reality. 

During a 12 month period, the Auxiliary typically delivers over 1.7 million hours of service conducting over 493,000 missions that included performing over 24,000 vessel safety checks, teaching over 62,000 boating courses, conducting over 12,000 marine dealer visits, making 36,000 public appearances, conducting 34,000 USCG Operational Support Missions , 122,000 on-the-water patrols and supporting 33,000 Search and Rescue operations.

National Commodore's Vision

"The Auxiliary will continue to meet America's changing maritime safety and security challenges, through a balanced allocation of resources towards our recreational boating safety and maritime domain awareness missions."

Auxiliary Mission & Strategic Imperatives 
Auxiliary Policy Statement

Tradition & History

The CGAUX, USCG and Department of Homeland Security (DHS) embrace diversity (see USCG Diversity Webpage), life-long learning and individual member development.  All three organizations strive to create and maintain a positive environment where the capabilities, differences and similarities of members are recognized, understood and valued.  All members are encouraged to maximize their contributions by participating in Auxiliary missions and activities to the fullest extent possible and are freely provided the support they need to achieve their maximum potential. 

When you become an Auxiliary member, you agree to:

• accept the responsibility and obligation to conduct yourself in a gentlemanly, professional, and responsible manner when wearing the Auxiliary Uniform or conducting Auxiliary business

• serve to the best of your abilities and as time and circumstances permit

The Auxiliary uniform is a symbol of your membership and should be worn with pride.  It is similar to the Coast Guard uniform and should be worn anytime you are representing the Auxiliary or Coast Guard.  Yearly membership dues help to support Auxiliary activities at all organization levels and are tax deductible.  The dues collected from members are divided into four parts - Flotilla, Division, District and National.

US Coast Guard Publication 1  -  Origin of Coast Guard Auxiliary (CGAUX)
Founding of the US Coast Guard Auxiliary (CGAUX)
Coast Guard Auxiliary Past & Present

Structure & Organization

The Auxiliary is comprised of Districts, Divisions, and Flotillas.  A Flotilla is the basic operational unit.  It includes members who own or operate boats, are actively involved in Auxiliary's missions (Cornerstones of Service) and directly support United States Coast Guard (USCG) missions.  Flotilla members elect a Flotilla Commander (FC) and Flotilla Vice Commander (FVC), who in turn, appoint Flotilla Staff Officers (FSO's) to implement and carry out specific programs or activities in their area of responsibility for the Auxiliary.  All members of the Auxiliary, no matter what level their elected or appointed positions are, belong to a Flotilla. 

Flotilla's hold Monthly Meetings to keep members up-to-date on Auxiliary programs, activities, functions and conduct training as well as help build fellowship, friendships, and working relationships with other "Team Coast Guard" members.  Meetings provide the opportunity for Members to exercise their right to vote and have a say in Flotilla operations and development.  In addition to Flotilla meetings, all members are welcome to attend Leadership Team and Division meetings which can help provide a broader view of the Auxiliary.  The FC and FVC attend Division meetings to represent their Flotilla.

Within parameters established by parent agencies, Districts may create their own policy manuals.  At the Division and Flotilla levels, members decide by vote in which Auxiliary authorized mission areas and activities they will participate. 

For more information on the Auxiliary Organizational and Structure, see:

Directory of Services
Auxiliary Manual, COMDTINST M16790.1F
Flotilla Procedures Manual, COMDTINST M16791.5
Flotilla Standing Rules