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In a 1988 congressional study, Coast Guard program managers and district commanders outlined potential expanded uses for the Auxiliary in the areas of port safety, defense readiness, search and rescue (SAR), law enforcement, aids-to-navigation, regatta and safety patrols, and general support. The study also indicated the Auxiliary had definite potential for use during wartime scenarios. District commanders commented that the regular Coast Guard should employ the Auxiliary more extensively in the Maritime Defense Zone (MDZ) and during readiness exercises as operating units.
The Coast Guard Auxiliary clearly has additional capabilities not yet fully exploited by Coast Guard regular components. The Auxiliarists' new 700-page peacetime Boat Crew Qualification Program makes them ideal candidates to assume additional wartime SAR responsibilities in the U. S. littoral. Planners should also explore lurther the area of general support (administration, transportation, etc.). For example. Coast Guard support centers do not normally change operational control to the MDZ Commander during crisis situations, but some of their people are affected by MDZ Wartime Personnel Allowance List requirements. This means many of our support personnel will be transferred to other commands without immediate replacement in times when logistics requirements are most critical. The Auxiliary is a potential source of administrative support under these circumstances.
The Training Dilemma: So why do current readiness exercises not yet use Auxiliarists in these roles? Principally because planners must try to exercise Auxiliary personnel for their potential wartime duties while they are still civilians. Some of the training and exercises associated with these new functions can be dangerous, adding the potential for liability suits against the Coast Guard. The solution may lie in the provisions of Title 14 USC 756, which still provides for enrolling Auxiliarists as members of the Temporary Reserves, similar to previous World War II initiatives. Several Auxiliarists were used pursuant to these provisions during readiness exercises that took place in the 1982-84 time frame.
Recommendations: We must integrate our Auxiliary personnel into our MDZ planning and exercise cycles in order to optimize this valuable resource. Integrating Auxiha- rists into our exercise cycles is not cheap. Budgets would have to be increased, and planners would have to expend considerable time preparing the Auxiliarists for integration. Failing the Temporary Reserve option, the Coast Guard could still employ Auxiliarists as volunteers W nonthreat, low-risk administrative support roles during MDZ exercises- Some efforts are currently being directed toward this end. Specilically> a new study of the wartime uses ot the Auxiliary has recently been tasked. And some Auxiliarists are now being granted security clearances so that they may better understand and contribute to the overall goals and missions of the Coast Guard in sensitive areas. Finally. one of the Coast Guard Comnian- dant’s highest priorities for 1989-9U is to clearly identify program areas where expanded use of the Auxiliary would be beneficial to the Coast Guard.
boat handling, rules of the road, weather, and aids to naviga*1 ► Operations: Auxiliary operations are broad and nonrntb ^ covering a wide variety of Coast Guard support missi0*** search and rescue, safety patrols, regatta patrols, and ^ updating patrols. Auxiliarists receive training to qualify aS
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Auxiliarists also visit marine dealers and boat and marine ~ ^ shows to promote safe boating, particularly during National Boating Week. They also assist the Coast Guard’s recruiting^ fort through the Academy Introduction Mission and the ReC ing Assistance Program where young men and women are t
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way Service, who reports directly to the Commandant.
Programs: The Auxiliary has four basic missions: vessel examinations, public education, operations, and lellowship. Members may participate in any or all four activities. Auxiliarists must complete correspondence courses and pass examinations, similar to those in the Coast Guard, before participating in the first three activities. The fourth activity is important as it promotes informal dialogue among members of the entire "Coast Guard Family.”
► Vessel Examinations: The Courtesy Marine Examination (CME) is a free service Auxiliary volunteers provide pleasure boaters. A CME is a check of the boat’s safety-related equipment. Any discrepancies that fail to meet the required standards are not reported to the Coast Guard or any other law enforcement agency. Instead, the Auxiliary examiner points out to the owner safety equipment he is lacking and faults needing repair or replacement. If a boat passes the exam, it receives the “Seal of Safety.” Some insurance companies offer policy advantages to boaters whose craft have passed a CME.
► Public Education: Each year, thousands of people enroll in boating safety courses taught by the Auxiliary. Auxiliarists teach courses to people of all ages, kindergarten to senior citizens— sailors or power boaters. The attempt is to reach boaters, particularly novices, with such life-protecting information as piloting,
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crew members, operators, and coxswains. In addition- Auxiliarist may qualify as a communications watchstander augment a Coast Guard station or group. The Auxiliary avi-1 operations fly numerous search-and-rescue and pollution Patr and transport Coast Guard and Auxiliary personnel. r
► Fellowship: This activity is the glue that brings it all t0£e.,s-’ Auxiliarists exchanging knowledge and swapping “sea stoi^ develop mutual respect, spark new ideas, enjoy social activi and establish friendships.
duced to the Coast Guard.
Uniforms: Auxiliarists are authorized to wear a uniform' , lar to the Coast Guard Officer’s uniform. Distinctive ern. buttons, insignias, and ribbons are employed to identity wearer as a member of the Auxiliary.
Proceedings / October