About the Coast
Guard Auxiliary
The
United States Coast Guard Auxiliary was established on June
23, 1939 by an act of Congress as the
United States Coast Guard Reserve and re-designated as the
Auxiliary on February 19, 1941. The Auxiliary is an incorporated,
civilian volunteer component of the Coast Guard. The
Congressional mandates state that the Auxiliary supports all
United
States Coast Guard (USCG) missions but is not permitted
to directly engage in either law enforcement or military activity.
The support provided by the Auxiliary in these situations can be
administrative and it can be in areas that make available, either
Active or Reserve members of the USCG. Once available, the Active or
Reserve member is able to function in these two restricted areas. As
of July 2009, there were approximately 29,000 active Auxiliarists.
As
a volunteer, an Auxiliarist is not paid a salary and participates in
activities at her or his own discretion. Auxiliarists maybe
reimbursed for expenses incurred when they are under orders from the
Commandant. Unlike the active duty and reserve components of the
USCG, Auxiliarists are not subject to the
Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ).
Auxiliarists who own a boat, aircraft or radio station (amateur or marine band VHF sets) often use their equipment (i.e., "vessels") on behalf of the USCG Auxiliary and are reimbursed for expenses incurred while under mission orders, although membership does not require ownership of a vessel. An Auxiliarist can also serve on a Coast Guard asset once they have obtained proper training. When under orders, the member is recognized as a Federal employee and any approved vessels are recognized as property of the US Government. Disclaimer, the content is not official policy and the official Coast Guard regulations and other materials must be consulted for the full details and any exemptions or qualifications. Members use previously-acquired skills and skills obtained via approved training. Examples of previously-acquired skills include carpentry, cooking, radio repair, engine repair, and maintenance, as well as professional skills such as medical, legal and computer skills.
