HILE OUR JOB #1 is, and will most likely always be Recreational
Boating Safety, our job # 2, Mission Readiness is taking on a
new and changing role. Each day the Coast Guard relies more and more on us for mission support. Each day new and interesting requests for support are made.
Seventy eight years ago we started out as the Coast Guard Reserves assisting the Coast Guard with calls for assistance and response to “in peril” case, but two years later America’s entry into the Second World War changed all that. We were rebranded the Coast Guard Auxiliary and our mission set changed.
Over the years our missions have changed to adapt to changing times. Our unique ability to reinvent ourselves to meet the Coast Guard’s needs makes us the world’s premier volunteer maritime service.
In reviewing our most recent GAP Analysis, I was amazing to see how many different areas we now support the Coast Guard.
We are now supporting First District Coast Guard Bases and Stations with Watch Standers, Aux Food Service, Health Services, Clerical assistance, Income tax preparation and accounting services, Registered Nurses, EMT’s, Small Arms Advisors and Veterinary services.
As the needs change, so do we. RADM Poulin requested I increase the number of Aux Food Service Personnel and Watch Standers. To meet that need, we recently graduated new AUXFS’s from classes at Station New York and Station Sandy Hook and a third class is planned for this fall in Long Island. Watch standers continue to be trained at stations and sectors.
In addition to supporting the needs of the bases and Stations, we also have Auxiliarists instructing at the Coast Guard Academy and manning two new programs: AuxBuild, which will have specialized Auxiliarists overseeing Coast Guard construction projects and AUXFE which are certified Auxiliary Financial Educators who will assist Active Duty members navigate their way though the new Blended Retirement System.
CHANGING TIMES
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