What is AUXCA (Culinary Assistance)?

The Auxiliary Culinary Assistance (AUXCA) program promotes and maintains food service in floating and land-based facilities in support of USCG operational, admin, and logistical requirements. 

AUXCA Specialists are trained by certified AUXCA Instructors and/or USCG Active-Duty Culinary Specialists II and above using Coast Guard Approved AUXCA Program guides. Classroom training is followed by hands on training. A Personnel Qualification Standard is completed within one year of training. An Annual Sanitation Course is also required. Additional requirements may be necessary based on the competency desired.

Why become an AUXCA qualified?

• USCG is authorized 1250 Culinary Specialist (CS) positions in 370 galleys, however the service is still short by 300+ cooks
• The need is so great that a $50K bonus is currently being offered to enlist as CS with an Associate’s Degree in Culinary Arts, and a $40K bonus without degree
• Qualified AUX attaining the AUXCA qualification can dramatically and immediately reduce the impact of this shortage by providing a stopgap service to keep Coast Guard Units operational and execute their required Missions.

How can you help?

• Have a willingness to support the USCG in the galley
• Discuss this interest in the AUXCA program with your FC
• Apply for the AUXCA Basic Course program -- details below
• Be interviewed by the Division 6 SO-CA to participate in the course
• MUST COMPLETE the AUXCA Basic Course prerequisites prior to the course -- details below
• Attend the AUXCA Basic Course and complete the AUXCA PQS within 1 year to attain an AUXCA qualification
• Accept AUXCA mission assignments from the Division 6 SO-CA

What is required to be successful with the AUXCA qualification? 

• Need some at-home cooking experience
• Must have time to volunteer at a physical Coast Guard Unit with a functioning galley
• Must be available Monday – Friday.  Often times, the Coast Guard Galley requests arrive with short notice for a midweek mission

What is the AUXCA Basic Course?

The AUXCA Basic Course is a 22-hour Basic Training course to teach the proper sanitation, process, and protocols to perform various USCG Galley missions. The course consists of three parts:

1. Classroom
2. Hands-on tasks in USCG Galley
3. Written exam

After the AUXCA Basic Course, a member must complete the AUXCA PQS within 1 year at an USCG Galley to attain an AUXCA qualification

A nominal fee of $25 per student may be required to participate int he course to cover individual food expenses at the galley. 

What the AUXCA Basic Course is NOT?

• The course is NOT a cooking school!
• The AUXCA program is NOT a soup kitchen!
• AUXCA is NOT just another “qualification” to add to your Auxiliary resume!
• AUXCA is NOT about impressing Coasties with your Auxiliary “rank”!
• The AUXCA program is NOT about you the Auxiliarist -> it IS about the USCG!

When is the next Division 6 AUXCA Basic Course?

July 12 - 14, 2024 - Cancelled due to a lack of students. We intend to offer the Course at a TBD date in the future. In the interim, interested members should consider the On-line Basic Course.

Base Galveston Galley
Galveston, Texas
Additional details will be provided

FRI July 12: 1700 - 2000       Classroom Session
SAT July 13: 0800 - 1700      Classroom and Cooking
SUN July 14: 0800 - 1700     Classroom, Cooking, and Exam

No room and board will be provided during the course.  AUX members interested in participating in this course will need to independently secure funds and organize logistics including hotel stay and transportation to/from for the course.

Still interested?  Register for the next AUXCA Basic Course.

1. Email SO-CA Jack Whalen ([email protected]) for the AUXCA Basic Course: July 12-14, 2024 
2. A nominal fee of $25 per student may be required to participate in the course to cover individual food expenses at the galley

Signing up to attend the class, is a commitment to attend the entire class. Only sign up if you are able to attend the entire 3 day course.