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Created by Congress in 1939, the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary serves as the civilian, non-military component of the Coast Guard. Today, over 30,000 volunteers are active on waterways and in classrooms across the nation. Each year, Auxiliarists save over 300 lives, assist over 10,000 boaters in distress, conduct more than 109,000 vessel safety checks and teach over 130,000 students in boating and water safety courses. The results of these efforts save taxpayers hundreds of millions of dollars every year.
Recreational boating in the United States is growing rapidly. The Coast Guard Auxiliary needs volunteers. 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 may be the right place for you. From on-the-water Operations, Public Education programs, Vessel Examination programs, Coast Guard Recruiting or Marine Environmental Protection, the Auxiliary has opportunities for almost everyone.
The Auxiliary and the Coast Guard provide specialized training on all aspects of boating, as well as leadership and administration. Auxiliarists receive training in seamanship and related skills, and enjoy the sense of confidence of knowing that they are better and safer boaters.
Auxiliarists provide direct operational and administrative support to many local Coast Guard units. Qualified Auxiliarists take part in Search and Rescue operations, stand radio watch at Coast Guard Stations or work with local Marine Safety Offices.
Auxiliarists service their community and are not paid. They furnish and maintain their own equipment and choose to participate at a level tailored to our individual capabilities. They 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.
One of the Auxiliary's trademarks is hospitality. At meetings and training sessions, on patrols and other missions, and at ceremonies and social events, we share the fellowship of other Auxiliarists. Friends, neighbors and interested members of the public are always welcome to attend our flotilla meetings.
There is a special camaraderie among Auxiliarists that's hard to beat. 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.
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.