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Q: Do I need to have served in the Coast Guard to join the Auxiliary?
A: No. While some of our members have served in various branches of the military, it is not required for membership. We accept people from all different walks of life.
Q: Do I need to own a boat? If I do, do I have to use it for the Auxiliary?
A: No. Some of our members do own boats and use them as Coast Guard Auxiliary assets. However, you do not need to own a boat, and if you do own a boat, you are not required to use it for anything relating to the Auxiliary.
Q: Do you get paid to be in the Auxiliary?
A: No. Participation in the Coast Guard Auxiliary is strictly on a volunteer basis. While members may be reimbursed for certain specific expenses related to our missions, Auxiliary members are not paid for their time.
Q: Do Auxiliary members wear uniforms?
A: Yes. When actively participating in Coast Guard or Coast Guard Auxiliary-related activities members do wear a uniform appropriate for what they are participating in.
Q: Is the Auxiliary part of the Coast Guard/Military?
A: No. The Auxiliary is not a branch of the military. We are an organization that supports both active duty and reserve Coast Guard units in all missions except for military and law enforcement related missions. Auxiliarists would not be called up in time of conflict.
Q: Do Auxiliary members get deployed?
A: Auxiliary members do not receive orders the way members of the military do. However, Auxiliary members with the correct training/qualifications can volunteer to be temporarily assigned to a Coast Guard unit for things like Culinary Assistant, etc. But again, this would all be voluntary.
Q: What is a Vessel Safety Check? How do I get one for my vessel?
A: A vessel Safety Check is an inspection of your boat performed with you and a member of the Coast Guard Auxiliary with the goal of discussing the safety equipment/features required on or specific to your boat. They are free of charge. To schedule one, either contact your local Auxiliary flotilla, or click on the link in the left column that says “Vessel Safety check”.
A: No. While some of our members have served in various branches of the military, it is not required for membership. We accept people from all different walks of life.
Q: Do I need to own a boat? If I do, do I have to use it for the Auxiliary?
A: No. Some of our members do own boats and use them as Coast Guard Auxiliary assets. However, you do not need to own a boat, and if you do own a boat, you are not required to use it for anything relating to the Auxiliary.
Q: Do you get paid to be in the Auxiliary?
A: No. Participation in the Coast Guard Auxiliary is strictly on a volunteer basis. While members may be reimbursed for certain specific expenses related to our missions, Auxiliary members are not paid for their time.
Q: Do Auxiliary members wear uniforms?
A: Yes. When actively participating in Coast Guard or Coast Guard Auxiliary-related activities members do wear a uniform appropriate for what they are participating in.
Q: Is the Auxiliary part of the Coast Guard/Military?
A: No. The Auxiliary is not a branch of the military. We are an organization that supports both active duty and reserve Coast Guard units in all missions except for military and law enforcement related missions. Auxiliarists would not be called up in time of conflict.
Q: Do Auxiliary members get deployed?
A: Auxiliary members do not receive orders the way members of the military do. However, Auxiliary members with the correct training/qualifications can volunteer to be temporarily assigned to a Coast Guard unit for things like Culinary Assistant, etc. But again, this would all be voluntary.
Q: What is a Vessel Safety Check? How do I get one for my vessel?
A: A vessel Safety Check is an inspection of your boat performed with you and a member of the Coast Guard Auxiliary with the goal of discussing the safety equipment/features required on or specific to your boat. They are free of charge. To schedule one, either contact your local Auxiliary flotilla, or click on the link in the left column that says “Vessel Safety check”.