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Reasons to Join
SAVE LIVES AND BE A PART OF THE ACTION
Since the recreational boating population in the U.S. 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-the-Water Operations, the Public Education Program, Vessel Safety Check Program, Radio Watchstander (Auxiliary or Coast Guard), Recruiting, Marine Environmental Protection or Administration, there is a spot for you.
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 a 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.
SERVE THE 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 vessels for safety equipment to ensure that our neighbors will be safe on the waterways.
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A PROUD TRADITION, A WORTHY MISSION
The Coast Guard "Reserve" was authorized by act of Congress on June 23, 1939. The Coast Guard was given a legislative mandate to use civilian volunteers to promote safety on and over the high seas and the nation's navigable waters. The Coast Guard Reserve was then a non-military service comprised of unpaid, volunteer U.S. citizens who owned motorboats or yachts.
Two years later, on February 19, Congress amended the 1939 act with the passage of the Auxiliary and Reserve Act of 1941. Passage of this act designated the Reserve as a military branch of the active service, while the civilian volunteers, formerly referred to as the Coast Guard Reserve, became the Auxiliary. Therefore, February 19 is formally recognized as the birth of the Coast Guard Reserve while June 23 is recognized as the birthday of the Coast Guard Auxiliary.
When America entered World War II, 50,000 Auxiliary members joined the war effort. Some Auxiliarists served weeks at a time with the Temporary Reserve. They guarded waterfronts, carried out coastal picket patrols, rescued survivors from scuttled ships and did anything else they were asked to do. Many of their private vessels were placed in service.
After the war, Auxiliarists resumed their recreational boating safety duties. The Auxiliary's four cornerstones - Vessel Examination, Education, Operations and Fellowship - were established and remain the Auxiliary's pillars in the 1990s.
Following the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 1996, the Auxiliary is to assist the Coast Guard, as authorized by the Commandant, in performance of any Coast Guard function, duty, role, mission or operation authorized by law. The Auxiliary is increasingly a larger part of Team Coast Guard!
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