Member Training and Qualifications

1. Training Opportunities.

Members can enjoy many activities in the Auxiliary. Some of them require additional training before you can become involved. The two staff officers of most importance to new members are the Personnel Services (PS) and Member Training (MT) Officers. They will help you become an integral member of your flotilla. The PS Officer will work with you on your individual Member Involvement Plan The PS Officer will discuss your interests, time commitment, and the investment you are willing to make in your flotilla. The two of you will develop a plan for your training that will enable you to be involved in the cornerstone activities of your choice. If you want to proceed farther into the cornerstone activities of the Auxiliary, you will need to seek additional training. You can choose training for Boat Crew, Instructor, Radio Watchstander, Coast Guard Boat Crew, Air Crew, or Vessel Examiner, as examples.

A. Boat Crew Qualification Program:

In the Boat Crew Qualification Program, trainees work with assigned mentors and other qualified boat crew members to learn all required tasks and work toward qualification. The Director of Auxiliary appoints a Qualification Examiner (QE), who approves Boat Crew tasks for candidates.

1. Auxiliary Boat Crew
   Once qualified at this level, you may serve as a crewmember on an Auxiliary vessel facility while on official Coast Guard orders.
2. Requires a higher degree of knowledge, skill, and experience. Once qualified you will be able to command an Auxiliary vessel facility while on official Coast Guard orders. 
3. To retain qualification in the Operations Program, the member must meet specific requirements for activity every year and be reviewed and approved by a QE every third year.

B. Vessel Examination Program

1. Vessel Examiner
   Once qualified, you may conduct Vessel Safety Checks on recreational vessels. This is a primary Search and Rescue prevention program of the Coast Guard and Auxiliary.
2. Recreational Boating Safety Visitor Program
   Once qualified, you will be able to visit marine dealers to educate them on boating safety and gain their support for our boating safety program.

C: Instructor Program:

Once qualified, you will be allowed to teach in the Auxiliary's public education and member training programs. This program teaches you how to teach, not what to teach. 

D. Aviation Training Program:

1. Air Observer and Air Crewman
   Once qualified as Crewman or Air Observer, you will be able to serve as part of an Auxiliary air crew operating under official Coast Guard Orders.
2. Pilot (Co-Pilot, First Pilot, Aircraft Commander)
   Once qualified, you will be able to pilot and command an Auxiliary air facility under official Coast Guard Orders on "Search and Rescue" and "Logistic" Missions.

E. Radio Watchstander:

Once qualified, you will be able to stand radio watches at Coast Guard and Auxiliary operated installations. 

F. Private Aids to Navigation Verifiers:

Once qualified you will be able to verify the operation, condition, and location of Private Aids used for navigation. 

2. Advanced Training.

This program is under review, please check with your Member Training Officer for current details.

A. Specialty Course Training, (AUXOP Program):

This program consists of six specialty courses. After completing all six courses, you will be entitled to wear the distinctive AUXOP device on your uniform.
The six specialty courses are:

1. Communications--This is a course on Auxiliary radio communications.
2. Advanced Coastal Navigation--This is an in-depth course in coastal navigation that teaches much hands-on chart work as well as navigational theory.
3. Patrols--This course teaches management, supervision, and participation in the Auxiliary Operational Patrol program.
4. Seamanship--This course teaches all phases of recreational boating seamanship.
5. Auxiliary Search Coordination and Execution specialty course--This course teaches how the Coast Guard runs its Search and Rescue program as well as techniques on how to perform search missions.
6. Weather--This course teaches the basics on types of weather, how to forecast weather, and how to stay out of trouble due to changing weather conditions.

B. Coast Guard Correspondence Courses

Members of the Auxiliary are eligible to take any of the "Non-Classified" correspondence courses from the United States Coast Guard Institute.

C. Auxiliary C-Schools

Auxiliary C-schools are Coast Guard-funded formal training events. They are at least two days in duration, but last no longer than five days. They deal with specific subject matter (e.g. distance education technology, information systems, aviation spatial disorientation). C-schools normally require students to travel to a Coast Guard training center, although some C-schools are exported so that instructors travel to regional locations to deliver the training to students in the local areas.
There are 16 specific C-school courses. It is very important to make all due effort to attend a C-school class once selected to attend. Funding for all future courses is directly linked to how many students complete each class. When students fail to show up or cancel less than four weeks in advance, they jeopardize the next year's funding for that course. Moreover, individuals who cancel from a C-school with short notice and for questionable reason risks their consideration and selection for future C-school opportunities.

The Chief Director's web site and the Auxiliary C-school web site are excellent sources of information about all available C-schools, their schedules, and school policies. The same schools are usually offered each year, but class dates and locations change. Individuals selected for a C-school are expected to check these sites and with their Member Training officer in order to fully understand the school requirements and expectations.