Auxiliary History
In 1939, Congress established a U.S. Coast Guard Reserve administered by the Commandant of the Coast Guard
and composed of unpaid, volunteer U.S. citizens who owned motorboats or yachts. In 1941, Congress created a military Reserve
and renamed the original volunteer Reserve as the Coast Guard Auxiliary. In 1996, the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 1996 was
signed into law. This law was the first major legislation affecting the Auxiliary sine its establishment in 1939. These
amendments made the following major changes to the Auxiliary. For more information regarding Auxiliary history, please
click here to visit the Auxiliary History page.
Purpose
"The purpose of the Auxiliary is to assist the Coast Guard as authorized by the Commandant in performing any Coast Guard
function, power, duty, role, mission or operation authorized by law":
- To promote safety and to effect rescues on and over the high seas and on navigable waters;
- To promote efficiency in the operation of motorboats and yachts;
- To foster a wider knowledge of, and better compliance with, the laws, rules, and regulations governing the operation
of motorboats and yachts;
- To facilitate other operations of the Coast Guard."
In addition, the legislation expanded the Commandant's authority to use the Auxiliary to assist other Federal
agencies, State authorities, and local governments in areas in addition to recreational boating safety.
Role of the Auxiliary
The Coast Guard is a military service and is a component of the U.S. Armed Forces. The Coast Guard Auxiliary is a
component of Coast Guard Forces like the active duty, Reserve, and civilian components. Thus, the Auxiliary may
be referred to and considered to be included under the general organizational umbrella of the Coast Guard. Auxiliarists
are not contractually bound, enlisted, or commissioned officers, but are volunteers pledged to serve in the Coast
Guard Auxiliary. The Coast Guard is also charged with many civil responsibilities in addition to its military
missions:
Member Services - The first and primary mission of the Auxiliary is to attract, recruit, develop, train, nuture
and retain Auxiliarists for assignment to duty. Auxiliarists are trained to accomplish specific missions assigned
to the Auxiliary and to support collateral Coast Guard missions on a day-to-day and surge basis.
Recreational Boating Safety - The Auxiliary has mission responsibility to support the Office of Boating Safety
with the development and implentation of various programs. This mission includes Auxiliary traditional activities
conducted on behalf of Federal, State, and local governments to improve the knowledge, safety skills, and
operating environment of recreational boaters. These include but are not limited to:
- Public Education Programs
- Vessel Examinations
- Distribution of literature and information to the boating public, and commercial and governmental organizations.
- Liaison of the purposes of enhancing Auxiliary Recreational Boating Safety.
Operations and Marine Safety - The Auxiliary has general mission responsibility for providing resources, personnel,
and facilities in support of the operations and marine safety, security, and environmental protection missions,
and in support of other Coast Guard missions, when requested. These include, but are not limited to:
- Operations
- Aviation
- Communications
- Marine Safety
- Aids to Navigation
Fellowship - Fellowship remains essential ingredient in making any organization of volunteers successful.
Some Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Coast Guard Auxiliary Association, Inc.?
The Coast Guard Auxiliary Association is you, the member
of the USCG Auxiliary. Every member of the Auxiliary is a member of
the Association.
What does the Coast Guard Auxiliary Association, Inc. do?
The Auxiliary serves as the Coast Guard's "Executive
Agent" for the Coast Guard's Recreational Boating Safety programs. The
Auxiliary's expertise in safety programs is a key national asset, not only for
the safety of boaters but also for the safety of ports and waterways as well as
educating the public on the importance of their partnership in maintaining a
vigil in the maritime environment for any threats to our Homeland
Security.
The Association provides the money, and services that
enables our Public Education program to work. They print the text books,
warehouse them, distribute them.
The Association, provides to the Ship's Stores and the
member all uniform items unique to the Auxiliary, from Shoulder Boards to
Ribbons, from Buttons to Patrol Banners.
The Association supports and underwrites major portions of
both N-Train and the NACON.
What type of corporation is the Coast Guard Auxiliary Association,
Inc.?
The Coast Guard Auxiliary Association, Inc., is a
Non-Profit, 501(c)(3) organization incorporated under the laws of the District
of Columbia. The Commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard authorized the establishment
of the Association as the only corporation authorized to provide for the
business management of the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary.
Are dues and/or donations to the Association tax deductible?
You
should talk with your tax advisor, but generally, donations to a Non-Profit
501(c)3 corporation such as the Coast Guard Auxiliary Association are tax
deductible. Remember - talk with your tax advisor to make sure of your
particular tax benefit. The payment of dues by Auxiliarists to their
flotilla, that includes flotilla, division, district and national dues, may be
tax deductible due to the Auxiliary’s status as a component of the U.S. Coast
Guard, a government entity.
Who runs the Association?
There is an eleven member board, with the National
Commodore serving as the CEO, the National Vice Commodore as the
President, as well as the Immediate Past
National Commodore, along with eight elected Board Members. Four
Board members are from the Auxiliary (they can not hold elective office
anywhere within the Auxiliary) and four outside (non-Auxiliary) Board members.
In addition, the three Area Commodores and the District Commodores serve on the
Association's Operating Committee.
On a day to day basis, there is an Executive
Director and a small staff of paid employees as well as a cadre of Auxiliarists
who volunteer their time to work for the Association.
What benefits do I, as a member of the Association get?
The Association is constantly trying to locate and add to
the list of benefits members enjoy. Shop Auxiliary is one such benefit.
A wide range of products at discounted prices - and with every purchase, the Association benefits as
well. The publication
Beacon is another benefit. The Association is preparing a benefit
package for all members sometime later this year. You can always check
on the CGAuxA web site, located at www.cgauxa.org
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