E.3 About the Auxiliary - Organization

The US Coast Guard

The Coast Guard is one of the oldest organizations of the federal government. Established in 1790, the Coast Guard served as the nation's only armed force on the sea until Congress launched the Navy Department eight years later.  Since then, the Coast Guard has protected the United States throughout its long history and served proudly in every one of the nation's conflicts.

The United States Coast Guard carries out three basic roles, which are further subdivided into eleven statutory missions. The three major roles are:  Maritime safety, Maritime security, Maritime stewardship

The eleven statutory missions as defined by law are divided into homeland security missions and non-homeland security missions.[

Non-homeland security missions include: Marine safety, search and rescue, aids to navigation, living marine resources (fisheries law enforcement), marine environmental protection, and ice operations 

Homeland security missions include: Ports, waterways, and coastal security (PWCS); drug interdiction; migrant interdiction; defense readiness; and other law enforcement.

US Coast Guard Auxiliary 

 The U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary- is the unifomed, all-volunteer component of the United States Coast Guard. The US Coast Guard Auxiliary was created by an Act of Congress in 1939, and has grown to over 32,000 members who daily support the US Coast Guard in all its non-military, and non-law-enforcement missions.  

Auxiliary members conduct safety patrols on local waterways, assist in Search and Rescue, teach boating safety classes, conduct free vessel safety checks for the public, provide boating safety literature to dealers, as well as many other activities related to recreational boating safety.

The Coast Guard considers the Auxiliary its primary resource for recreational boating safety outreach and prevention, and each Coast Guard district around the nation has established a senior officer and staff to provide tight liaison and coordination between the active-duty Coast Guard and the various Auxiliary units in that district.

And in many inland portions of the country, where the majority of U.S. recreational boating occurs on lakes and rivers, the Auxiliary is the sole Coast Guard presence!

But the Auxiliary is more than recreational boating safety; we regularly serve alongside our active-duty shipmates serving as communications, watchstanders, uninspected passenger vessel inspectors, training resources for air and sea operations, numerous duties related to environmental protection and homeland security, and even as chefs! In fact, there are nearly two dozen "qualifications" open to Auxiliarists willing to put in the time and training. Collectively, Auxiliarists volunteer over 4.5 million hours per year and complete nearly 500,000 missions – a true force multiplier for the Coast Guard!

Coast Guard Ethos   

The Coast Guard Ethos reflects "the enduring values and character of Coast Guard men and women in the active, reserve, civilian and auxiliary force. It pays homage to our long line of proud Coast Guardsmen and sets the standard for the men and women who serve today, and will serve in the future."
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Membership

Membership in the Auxiliary is open to persons 17 years of age and older. We are organized into 16 districts nationwide, comprised of 171 divisions with approximately 980 flotillas. No matter where you live, there is a flotilla near you. Find the unit nearest your Zip Code by clicking on "Units" at the top of this page. And for dozens of reasons why you should join, visit "Recruiting". You will not be sorry!