Tens-of-thousands of men and women of
the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary (the Auxiliary) have spent millions
of volunteer hours helping the U.S. Coast Guard (the Coast Guard)
carry out its mission. They have saved countless lives through their
work and are probably best known for their boating safety classes
and Vessel Safety Checks.
Here we present a broad knowledge of
the Auxiliary, as we become an increasingly important member of
"Team Coast Guard" - the combined Active, Reserve, Auxiliary and
Civilian components of the Coast Guard.
When the
Coast Guard "Reserve" was authorized by act of Congress on June 23,
1939, the Coast Guard was given a legislative mandate to use
civilian volunteers to promote safety on and over the high seas and
the nation's navigable waters. The Coast Guard Reserve was then a
non-military service comprised of unpaid, volunteer U.S. citizens
who owned motorboats or yachts.
Two years
later, on Feb. 19, Congress amended the 1939 act with passage of the
Auxiliary and Reserve Act of 1941. Passage of this act designated
the Reserve as a military branch of the active service, while the
civilian volunteers, formerly referred to as the Coast Guard
Reserve, became the Auxiliary. So, February 19 is formally
recognized as the birth of the Coast Guard Reserve while June 23 is
recognized as birthday of the Coast Guard Auxiliary.
When America
entered World War II, 50,000 Auxiliary members joined the war
effort. They guarded waterfronts, carried out coastal picket
patrols, rescued survivors from scuttled ships and did anything else
they were asked to do. Many of their private vessels were placed
into service.
After the
war, Auxiliarists resumed their recreational boating safety duties.
The Auxiliary's four cornerstones - Vessel Examination, Education,
Operations and Fellowship - were established and remained the
Auxiliary's pillars into the 1990s.
The
well-known
Vessel
Safety Check, a free examination available to any recreational
boater, helps boaters ensure their craft complies with Federal
boating regulations.
As for
Education, the Auxiliary teaches boating safety to recreational
boaters of all ages.
The
Auxiliary operates safety and regatta patrols and is an integral
part of the Coast Guard Search and Rescue team. Auxiliarists also
stand communication watches, assist during mobilization exercises,
perform harbor and pollution patrols, provide platforms for unarmed
boarding parties and recruit new people for the Service.
Following
passage of the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 1996. The Auxiliary
assists the Coast Guard, as authorized by the Commandant, in
performance of any Coast Guard function, duty, role, mission or
operation authorized by law.
The USCG Auxiliary's
History Webpage:
http://www.auxadept.org/auxhistory/
Other
history related pages:
http://www.uscg.mil/history/CG_Auxiliary_Index.html
http://www.uscg.mil/history/Auxiliary%20History.html
http://www.uscg.mil/history/Auxiliary_Authorities.html
The
Auxiliary has members in all 50 states, Puerto Rico, the Virgin
Islands, American Samoa, and Guam. Membership is open to men and
women, 17 years or older, U.S. citizens of all states and
territories, civilians or active duty or former members of any of
the uniformed services and their Reserve components, including the
Coast Guard. Facility (radio station, boat or aircraft) ownership is
desirable but not mandatory. Although under the authority of the Commandant of the
U.S. Coast Guard, the Auxiliary is internally autonomous, operating
on four organizational levels: Flotilla, Division, District Regions
and National.
Auxiliarists
are dedicated civilians who believe strongly in the Coast Guard and
its missions. A hearty thank you is the only pay an Auxiliarist
expects. Personally, we receive tremendous satisfaction for a job
well done. We have proven valiant throughout the years and take the
oath of membership seriously.
