Diversity in the Auxiliary

Alexander Urciuoli: Ops Normal

By Tracy Schultz, BC-DPA

Alexander Urciuoli, a member of the U.S.

Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla in Monterey,

CA, is not one to take things for granted.

Alex was born with cerebral palsy and has

had to walk with the aid of crutches his

entire life. Urciuoli especially likes the

safety and prevention aspects of the Coast

Guard. “Whether it is Boating Safety classes

for the public, beach cleanups, or answering

distress calls, the first mission is saving

lives. I never get tired of being a part of that,

and serving my country at the same time.”

says Urciuoli. Auxiliarist Alexander

Urciuoli is a fine example of the diversity to

be found in the Coast Guard and is a

qualified candidate to be a Diversity

Champion. His own words describe the

opportunities that exist in the Coast Guard

and Auxiliary: “If you want to serve, you

can serve. Find out what you can do, and do

it. Don’t allow your disability to identify

you.”

Caption: Alexander Urciuoli augmenting in the

communications center at U.S. Coast Guard

Station Monterey