Welcome New Member!
Welcome to Flotilla 1808, Marlton, New Jersey!
Thank you for being part of 1808. This info kit has been prepared with input from a number of Flotilla members, to give you a basic review of how our Flotilla can help you get the most out of your membership.
So, what's in it for you?
Plenty, if you are ready to make the effort.
We offer amazing training opportunities, fellowship, terrific activities and a unique way to serve the United States Coast Guard and the boating public!
Who we are and what we stand for
As the uniformed, volunteer component of the United States Coast Guard we are Semper Paratus, “always ready” to serve the boating public and the Coast Guard on a surprisingly wide range of missions.
Meetings
We normally meet on the second Thursday of each month at the Gibson House, 535 East Main Street, Evesham, (Marlton) NJ. Fellowship begins at 1830; meeting begins at 1900 hrs. In the summer our meeting may involve a pool party and barbecue. At holiday time, we’ll enjoy dinner celebration at a popular restaurant.
Uniforms
Look Sharp! The Coast Guard and the Public are watching! Our uniforms are almost identical to those worn by our regular “Gold Side” colleagues. In fact, the gold is one of the only differences! Our stripes are silver and regular Coast Guard is gold. Yes, we do have to pay for our uniforms, but there are several ways to acquire them for very little cost. Ask how you can also defray part of your expenditures within the Flotilla. Learn more about “lucky bag” and the Uniform Distribution Center.
Staff Officers and Members
We do not have actual rank but you can hold appointed or elected office. Check "Flotilla Staff Officer Positions."
Website and Social Media
We have a very good website that needs continual updating. However, websites are no longer the preferred by the majority of our potential members and the public at large. It is imperative that we develop a robust Facebook page and Twitter feed. While Steve Preller manages some web content, the Flotilla needs more help in this area. Now's your chance to make an immediate impact!
Everything You Need To Know (almost)
As a new member, one of the best sources of info is the New Member Reference Guide.
Here’s a great general meeting place that you might want to make your home page! Use your member number and password to log into the dashboard. http://www.cgaux.org/
Everything You Need to Learn (almost)
With a vast array of available courses you are certain to find one or more areas of interest to specialize in. You can also pursue the highly respected AUXOP classification. You'll need your member number to log in to Check out AUXOP here.
Everbridge
Help us keep up with you! Every month you should receive a message via email, phone and possibly text, from "Everbridge" an automated system designed to help the Auxiliary maintain our manpower strength. It's important for you to respond.
Flotilla Staff Officer (FSO) Job Descriptions
There are many ways you can qualify to contribute to the Flotilla. Check this list of job descriptions.
Flotilla Calling Tree
Don't call us, we'll call you! There have been times when the Coast Guard or Auxiliary has called on us for help. For example, additional patrols were requested for the Democratic National Convention and the visit to Philly by the Pope.
Flotilla activities
Library
We've donated Coast Guard and boating related adult and children's books to the Evesham Library. It was well appreciated by the library and wonderful Public Relations for us. Can you suggest other libraries in our area?
COW
Have a COW, man! It's our annual Change of Watch, where we swear in new Flotilla Officers, have a short meeting and a long, enjoyable lunch! Members and significant others are always invited.Public Education
Those who can, do. We also teach! Public education is one of our primary missions and our Flotilla teaches many boating safety classes each year, helping the boating public earn their New Jersey Boating Safety Certificate. Why not become an instructor? Find out how from our FSO-MT.
Our Flotilla is a leader in public education. Each year we teach numerous boating safety courses and well over 150 boaters receive “basic training” to become safe boaters. We also reach out to the boating public in local media.
Patrols
When you become Patrol qualified, you may find yourself assisting the Coast Guard on the Delaware River, doing towing and Search and Rescue drills and even be underneath an air show at Atlantic City. Our Member Training Officer Joe Mariano can set you up for training and our Paul Whitman, Sr., our Operations Officer will make sure you have all the necessary equipment.Communications
Did you know the Auxiliary stands ready to provide back-up communications for the Coast Guard? Currently, fellow members Tom Gorman, Mike Slepian and Dave King are AUXCOM qualified and take advantage of their HAM Radio skills to participate in on-air training, operating on military frequencies. They would be happy to tell you how you can get involved.
Recruitment
New members are always welcome! After all, you’re here! We’ve run newspaper advertising, (link) created signage, (Image) we attend public events, and make presentations to various organizations. Your ideas and energy will certainly help.
Media Releases
In addition to boating safety classes and other normal Flotilla activities, we are always looking for new ideas for media stories. Our Flotilla has developed a basic course to get you started on a Public Affairs position. Formal courses are also available.
Seem like a lot to remember? This is just the beginning! But we’re all here to help. I
Find the topics that interest you. Seek out the training you’ll need and you’ll be underway!
To New Member whose paperwork is being processed
While your paperwork is being processed, you're probably excited and ready to go! Let's take a look at your next steps, to get things underway.
All new members have to complete what is called AUXCT (Auxiliary Core Training). Here is the public link to the Training Directorate Website. https://wow.uscgaux.info/content.php?unit=t-dept In the left hand panel of the web page select CORE TRAINING or use the following link to access the AUXILIARY CORE TRAINING (AUXCT) website directly https://wow.uscgaux.info/content.php?unit=T-DEPT&category=core-training
Please familiarize yourself with Paragraph 3. AUXCT Course Requirements. Once your enrollment package is processed and you receive a member number we will discuss how you can access the Auxiliary Learning Management System (AUXLMS).
You will be using AUXLMS to take the following courses: (1) Workforce Resilience Training (502379), (2) Security Fundamentals (810030), (3) Privacy at DHS: Protecting Personal Information (810015), (4) Sexual Harassment Prevention (810000), (5) Civil Rights Awareness (502319), and (6) Ethics 1 / Personal Gifts (502306). Only (6) is a one time only course. Numbers (1) thru (5) need to be taken every 5 years.
You will also need to take the Basic Qual II (BQII) course (only once) which is the seventh course in the AUXCT Series. BQII is done through the Auxiliary Online Classroom and not AUXLMS. You can get an overview of what BQII is by accessing this link
There has been a recent policy change where "the Office of Auxiliary & Boating Safety (CG-BSX) has determined that ICS-100 and IS-700 are no longer part of the initial Core Training (CT) package required for all Auxiliary". There are specific exceptions to this policy change and the directive continues that "These courses are required for Auxiliary members to serve in any operational assignment for the Coast Guard."What does this mean to you? In order for you to qualify and to serve as a Boat Crew member or one of the other qualification programs in which you have expressed interest you will need to complete the ICS-100 and ICS-700 courses. These are "permanent" courses. Once completed you do not need to take them again. Please see the links below.
Once you complete each course make sure that you save the course completion certificate and send them our FSO-HR for processing.IS-100.B: Introduction to Incident Command System, ICS-100 (**) : ICS 100, Introduction to the Incident Command System, introduces the Incident Command System (ICS) and provides the foundation for higher level ICS training.
IS-700.A: National Incident Management System (NIMS) An Introduction (**) This course introduces and overviews the National Incident Management System (NIMS). NIMS provides a consistent nationwide template to enable all government, private-sector, and nongovernmental organizations to work together during domestic incidents.We will also assign you a mentor to help you navigate through all that the Coast Guard Auxiliary has to offer. Please do not hesitate to ask questions or to reach out if you need more information.
Great! You've received your member number! Now what?
Congratulations! Your enrollment is completed and you are officially a member of Flotilla 180x. Welcome aboard. Your member # is nnnnnnnn
Now that you have a member number and are officially part of our roster you can begin taking the your Auxiliary Core Training courses called AUXCT. We recommend that you do so in the following order:
1. The first thing you need to do is to create a Member Zone password. You will need this password to access the Coast Guard Auxiliary - Online Classroom as well as the Member Zone area of the Coast Guard Auxiliary Website. Follow this link to Create or Change Auxiliary a Member Zone Password
2. The Basic Qualification Course II (BQ II) is one of the required courses that you need for AUXCT. You should take BQII first. This will serve you well for Boat Crew School and Flotilla meetings. Once you complete this course you will have a good understanding of the the customs, traditions, and history of the Coast Guard Auxiliary, understand our Missions and Programs, our organizational structure, the policies and regulations that guide us, and will also help you to understand the protocols and proper uniform wear of the Auxiliary. Follow this link to access the Basic Qualification Course within the Auxiliary Classroom.
3. After you have completed BQII you should take the Introduction to Risk Management Course. This course is also accessible through the Auxiliary Classroom. This is another course that will serve you well as you progress through the Boat Crew Program. This is also a prerequisite to qualify for Boat Crew so you might as well take it now and be familiar with the content and terminology.
4. After you have completed the above you can start taking the rest of the AUXCT courses. For new members like yourself AUXCT is comprised of the following repeatable and one-time courses:
a. Repeatable Courses: To be successfully completed by the end of thefirst full year of enrollment and then once every five years thereafter:(1) Workforce Resilience Training (502379)(2) Security Fundamentals (810030)(3) Privacy at DHS: Protecting Personal Information (810015)(4) Sexual Harassment Prevention (810000)(5) Civil Rights Awareness (502319)b. One-time Courses: To be successfully completed only once (new enrollees must complete them by the end of the first full year of enrollment):(6) Ethics 1 / Personal Gifts (502306).And the recently added:(7) Basic Qualification Course II (BQ II
The AUXCT courses 1-6 listed above are maintained on the Auxiliary Learning Management System (AUXLMS). For Boat Crew qualification you will also need to take the 90 minute Introduction to Risk Management Course (100202) which is available on AUXLMS as well.