About the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary
In 1939, Congress established "a United States 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 Coast Guard Reserve and renamed the original volunteer reserve as the "Coast Guard Auxiliary" . The primary purpose of the Coast Guard Auxiliary was to provide public education in the safe operation of small craft and to promote boating safety. A secondary purpose was to utilize Auxiliary craft and personnel to assist the Coast Guard with its safety of navigation mission.
Today the Auxiliary’s volunteers assist the Coast Guard in all of its missions, except direct law enforcement and military operations. There are presently 17 program areas in which Auxiliary members are specifically authorized to participate.
For general information about the Auxiliary and how you can volunteer contact us by filling out the Request for Information Form.
More information about the Auxiliary can be found at the following online resources:
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