The Training Division of the Public Affairs Directorate offers a myriad of training opportunities for members and officers of the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary. In order to better enable them to perform their jobs, we provide online learning resources, helpful tools, classes (web based and in person), and guides in order to produce quality Public Affairs Specialists. Our primary goal as members of the Training Division is to prepare members for interaction with the public while maintaining the highest integrity and standards of the United States Coast Guard and United States Coast Guard Auxiliary. By training in public affairs and publication topics, our members will be able to successfully and confidently learn how to interact with the public and various types of media. 

Christopher von Zwehl, DVC-AT Division Chief for Training Division

Christopher von Zwehl is part of the Public Affairs Directorate as Division Chief, Training (DVC-AT). In his volunteer role, he is responsible to work in coordination with 10 other public affairs training division staff in driving professional excellence through continuous educational opportunities at the flotilla, division, district, and national levels. In his 20 years as an Auxiliarist, von Zwehl has served in officer and command roles including Vice and Flotilla Commander in Division 22- 1SR, District & Assistant District Staff Officer for Marine Safety in D7 & 1SR, Division and Flotilla Staff Officer Public Affairs roles in DV22 1SR, National Prevention Directorate Branch Chief for America's Waterway Watch, as well as several other staff officer roles in marine safety, human resources and member training. He was also the 7th U.S. Coast Guard District Coordinator for OPERATION ONGUARD/ FOCUSED LENS.  

His current qualifications include the permanent Trident/ Marine Safety Insignia, Operations/ Communications, Leadership, Incident Command, Asst. Container Inspector, Asst. License & Document Examiner, Uninspected Passenger Vessel Examiner, Prevention Outreach Specialist and Marine Safety & Administrative Management and more. He was a member of the Central Florida Regional Domestic Security Task Force (CFRDSTF) and Central Florida Law Enforcement Intelligence Exchange (CFIX DHS-Fusion Center). He holds an active SECRET clearance. He is also a DHS (SFFC) Level-I Terrorism Liaison Officer and a member of the FBI's InfraGard.

His Personal, Unit, Team and Service awards, commendation and citations include the permanent Trident/ Marine Safety Insignia, Presidential Unit Citation, Coast Guard Unit Commendation (4), Coast Guard Meritorious Unit Commendation, Coast Guard Meritorious Team Commendation (6), Department of Homeland Security Outstanding Unit Award, Auxiliary Commandant Letter of Commendation (2), AUXOP Device, Sustained Service Award (Bronze Hour Glass- 9,000+ hours of volunteer service), Annual Service Performance Award-Recruiting (4), National Commodore's Recruiting Award (5), Membership Service Award (5), Annual Service Performance Award in Operations/ Marine Safety with “M” Device, District 7 Commodore’s Award for Coast Guard Operational Support, Annual Service Performance Award-Education, Annual Service Performance Award-Vessel Exams/ MDV, Operations Ribbon (Boat Crew & Radio Operator), Instructor Qualification Ribbon, Vessel Examiner Ribbon, Station Eatons Neck Augmentation Certificate, Division 22 ALLSTAR Award, Flotilla 22-03 Auxiliarist of the Year Award, The Flotilla Meritorious Achievement Medal and District 7 Commodore’s Challenge Coin recipient for marine safety among others.

He received his undergraduate degree with a Bachelors in Business Administration from Hofstra University, Hempstead, NY, and his Master of Arts Degree in Media Studies and Communications from The New School University in NYC. He also took Auxiliary leadership and officers training at the U.S. Coast Guard Academy as well as several other professional accredited programs. Mr. von Zwehl is the Chief Growth Officer & Rx Security Solutions Expert for Scripps Safe, Inc., the nation’s leader in pharmaceutical supply chain diversion prevention solutions for healthcare. He is an Advisory Board Member of the American Pharmacy Purchasing Alliance (APPA) and on the education committee for the National Association of State Controlled Substance Authorities (NASCSA) and received the 2021 Annual President’s Award for his service combating drug diversion and the opioid crisis. He is also a member of the National Association of Drug Diversion Investigators (NADDI), FBI InfraGard Cyber Health Working Group and American Society of Pharmacovigilance. He served on two government commissions including the U.S.S. New Jersey Battleship Commission (BB-62). He was President of the U.S.S. New Jersey Battleship Foundation and successfully jointly oversaw the return of our nation's most decorated warship to her namesake state in 1999 after raising over $18 million in three years and having an act of Congress passed.

Public Affairs Training Division Staff

Branch Chief of E-Learning
John E. Reiss, BC-ATE

Branch Assistant of PA Examination Review
Vacant, BA-ATEA

Branch Chief of Professional Standards
Rudy Lopez, Jr, BC-ATP

Branch Assistant of Oral Boards - Lant East
Jack Neve III, BA-ATPA

Branch Assistant of Oral Boards - Lant West
Matthew Puchala, BA-ATPB

Branch Assistant of Oral Boards - Pacific
John-Michael Zimmerle, BA-ATPC

Branch Assistant of Oral Boards - Mountain
Vacant, BA-ATPM

Branch Chief of PA Class Scheduling & Logistics
Miles Brusherd, BC-ATS

Branch Chief of Curriculum Development
William Key, BC-ATT

Branch Chief of ICS/IMAT Integration
Matthew D. Hammons, BC-ATU