National Security Levels
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Involvement
WELCOME, Chart your course for service!Member Handbook Congratulations on being a member of the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary!This information is designed as a quick reference to supplement the information received. Active involvement in flotilla activities is where service makes a difference.
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YOUR PART IN THE AUXILIARYMEETINGSUNIFORMSMANNUALSACRONYMSREPORTINGMEMBER NUMBER DUES
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WE DO AND HOW YOU CAN DO IT TOOAUXILIARY MISSIONSMEMBER TRAINING
VESSEL EXAMINER
INSTRUCTOR
WATCHSTANDERATON VERIFIER
CREW & COXSWAIN
AUXOP COURSES
WHAT DO YOU GET OUT OF ITBENEFITS |
MEMBER RESPONSIBILITIES
The Prologue to the membership Pledge states: “. . . an organization dedicated to the promotion of boating safety and providing assistance to the Coast Guard in the fulfillment of its civil functions. You accept this membership as a volunteer, but as a member you are charged with certain responsibilities and obligations. These include your willingness to support the Coast Guard Auxiliary and its purposes and to participate in its authorized programs to the best of your ability and to the extent that time and circumstances permit.”
MEETINGS
Attendance at Flotilla Meetings is very important because information is shared regarding:
Division activities • Commander's report • Communications • Old Business • New Business
Staff Officer Reports • In-Flotilla training • Fellowship
Attending these meetings will keep everyone to date on all of the Flotilla's activities. It will also enable members to meet and interact with other members in the Flotilla. It is a member's right and responsibility to VOTE during these meetings.
Staff Meetings may also be scheduled for elected and appointed officers, as well as committee chairpersons. All member are welcome to attend these meetings.
UNIFORMS Auxiliary Manual Chapter 10 Uniform Procurement Guide
The Auxiliary uniforms is similar to the Coast Guard uniform and needs to be worn when on any mission where you represent the Auxiliary or the Coast Guard. It is the responsibility of members to purchase and maintain a uniform appropriate to the activities in which they will participate. All uniform purchases are tax deductible.
As a first unifrom, consider purchasing the Tropical Blue uniform. This basic uniform, both summer and winter versions, can be worn for most Auxiliary activities. This uniform, as well as the Service Dress Blue, Operation Dress Uniform (ODU) and all other options of uniform selection and their appropriate use, is outlined in Chapter 10 of your Auxiliary Manual. The flotilla Personnel officers (FSO-PS) will be able to help you order the clothing for your uniform and the Flotilla Materials Officer (FSO-MA) can order insignia and devices needed to make it complete.
MANNUALS Annotated Auxiliary Manual CHDIRAUX Manuals and Guides
The
Auxiliary Manual
is the first of many
manuals and other publications that you will obtain as a member of the
Auxiliary. Membership in this organization will be enhanced
by the information contained in them. It is important for every
member to read their manuals and keep them updated.
ACRONYMS Auxiliary Manual Acronym List
What in the world is an AUXOP, DCP, or FSO-?? One of the first puzzles for a new member is the shorthand (acronyms) with which we sprinkle our conversations and writing. It's the "insider" Auxiliary language, just like other insider languages Acronyms are a part of the game, don't become frustrated, no one knows them all...so ask a fellow Auxiliarist or look them up in your Auxiliary Manual (link above)
PE
- Public Education VSC - Vessel
Safety Check
OP
- Operations MT - Member
Training
MEMBER NUMBER
You have been given an official Member Number. From this point on, your status, activities and accomplishments will be recorded in the Auxiliary Data System (AUXDATA) using that number. The Coast Guard has provided you with a Membership Card. A space for your Member Number is provided on your card. It is important to know your Member Number.
DUES D11NR Finance Calendar
Each year you will receive a notice when dues are payable. Your total dues are divided into four parts: Flotilla, Division, District and National. You pay your total to the Flotilla and the Flotilla Finance Officer (FSO-FN), in turn, sends the appropriate portions of your dues to the other levels of the organization. Our dues help support Auxiliary activities at all levels of the organization and are tax deductible.
REPORTING D11NR Downloads/Forms National Quick Forms
The status, qualifications, and activities of all members and units in the USCG Auxiliary are tracked in the Auxiliary Data System (AUXDATA) utilizing the member number. Since the Auxiliary plays a significant part in the USCG accomplishments, it has a direct bearing on USCG funding. Reporting is very important to you, your Flotilla and Division and the Coast
Who We Are . . .
TEAM COAST GUARD
The Auxiliary is the non-military, volunteer arm of TEAM COAST GUARD, working alongside the Active Duty Coast Guard and Reserve within the sphere of the Coast Guard’s civil functions.
The word “volunteer” makes a big difference. Auxiliary authority isn’t like the military or business authority. Although we have rules and regulations to follow, we depend completely on support and cooperation. Your leaders are volunteers too, and cooperation is a two-way street.
HOW USCGAUX IS LIKE USCG:
Represent the federal government
Qualify through training
Wear uniforms, observe military“good” manners
Do not take sides in political activities to raise funds
Activities are limited to approved programs
HOW USCGAUX DIFFERS:
We aren’t paid with
money
We don’t enforce the
laws
We elect our leaders
We furnish and maintain
our own equipment
We can choose to
participate
We work where we live
instead of living where we work
POLICY MAKING DISTRICT 11NR -- AUXILIARY PROCEDURES MANUALOnly the Coast Guard Commandant and the National Board make policies, the rest carry out these policies. Within the parameters of these policies, Districts may create their own policy manuals. The members decide, by vote, within which areas and at what level the Flotilla will participate.FLOTILLA LEADERS Flotilla Procedures Manual (1.2MB)A complete description of the duties of the elected and appointed officers can be found in the Flotilla Procedures Manual. The Flotilla Commander has a copy of this publication. Names and addresses of your Flotilla officers can be found in the Flotilla Roster and eDirectoryFlotilla elections are held in the Fall of the year, after the Division elections. At that time we elect our Flotilla Commander (FC) and Flotilla Vice Commander (VFC) to serve for one year. The FC then appoints the Staff Officers who also serve for one year, beginning 1 January. Staff Officers are responsible for reporting on a monthly basis to the VFC and to their corresponding Division Staff Officer on activities in their area of concentration. A member may hold more than one office, but no one may hold more than one elected office at a time.The Flotilla Commander (FC) also appoints Flotilla Committees for Fellowship, Nominations, Historian, Audit, etc. The Flotilla Commander(FC) also serves on the Division Board and helps to elect the Division Captain (DCP) and Division Vice Captain (VCP).For those desiring to seek elected office at some time, talk to the Member Training Officer (FSO-MT) about completing the required Administrative Procedures Course. All qualifications for elected office can be found in the Auxiliary Manual. Those interested in serving as a Flotilla Staff Officer, be sure to discuss the requirements with your Flotilla Commander.ELECTED OFFICERS, elected by the members of the flotillaFlotilla Commander (FC): Represents the Flotilla. Presides at Flotilla meetings. Appoints FSOs and committee chairpersons.Flotilla Vice Commander (VFC): Alternate for FC. Chief of Staff. Presides at Staff Meetings.FLOTILLA STAFF OFFICERS, appointed by the Flotilla CommanderThe Flotilla Staff Officers organize activities in the following program areas:Aids to Navigation (FSO-AN): Update charts. Plan chart patrols.Communications (FSO-CM): Radio facility inspections. Radio support of Coast Guard Auxiliary patrols.Communication Services (FSO-CS): Designs and maintains Flotilla's web site and reports information posted on the Auxiliary website.Finance Officer (FSO-FN): Budget, expenditures, dues.Information and Communications Services (FSO-IS): AUXDATA reporting, official activity records.Materials Officer (FSO-MA): Order books, materials, postage, etc.Member Training Officer (FSO-MT): Organize training sessions for all Auxiliary program qualifications and specialty courses.Marine Safety and Environmental Protection (FSO-MS): Supervise flotilla programs associated with marine environmental awareness.Operations Officer (FSO-OP): Schedule and organize on-water patrols and Coast Guard support missions.Personnel Officer (FSO-PS): Oversee Member Resources, recruiting, retention and fellowship activities.Program Visitor (FSO-PV): Distribute safety material to marine dealers.Public Affairs Officer (FSO-PA): Publicity, posters, public speaking, safety booths.Public Education Officer (FSO-PE): Organize courses and schedule instructors for adult and children's public boating classes.Publications Officer (FSO-PB): Flotilla newsletter and materials for other Auxiliary publications.Secretary/Records (FSO-SR): Record and publish minutes; maintain records.Vessel Examination Officer (FSO-VE): Organize Vessel Safety Check program and facility inspectionsWHAT WE DO . . .and HOW YOU CAN DO IT, TOO! Auxiliary Missions:Recreational Boating Safety and Coast Guard Support
MEMBER TRAININGFor full enjoyment and participation in these Auxiliary Programs, become involved in the Member Training program. Members do not have to follow a required sequence of training. Choose training according to interests. All programs are available to any member without cost. The training is available from instructors within a Flotilla, Division and District.Talk to Member Training Officer (FSO-MT) and refer to the appropriate Coast Guard Auxiliary publications for more specific information on the program of interest to you. Some programs requiring preliminary study include:VESSEL SAFETY CHECK PROGRAM (VSC) -Vessel Examiner (VE)Objective: one-on-one safety education for boat owners. Qualifications: boating course credit Vessel Safety Check Manual -complete course pass open book exam . conduct vessel exams under supervision Reference: Vessel Safety Check Manual M16796.2 (series)INSTRUCTOR PROGRAM - Instructor (IT)Objective: teach courses on boating safety to adults and children in the general public and training courses for Auxiliary members. Qualifications: complete Instructor Qualifications course pass. open book exam Reference: Instructor Qualification CourseCOMMUNICATIONS - Watchstander
Objective: communications missions for the Coast Guard. Qualifications:
boating course credit at
CG unit: complete Group or Station Communications Watchstander
Qualifications Guide and training, local familiarization, knowledge of
plotting.
For an
Auxiliary facility: AUXCOM qualified local familiarization according to
local DIRAUX
policies. Reference: Communications Course (AUXCOM) M16794.32 (series); Per
local Group or Station
requirements.
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