On June 23, 1939, Congress established the Coast Guard Reserve, a volunteer civilian organization, to promote boating safety and to facilitate Coast Guard operations. Initially, members conducted safety and security patrols and helped enforce the provisions of the 1940 Federal Boating and Espionage Acts. In February 1941, the Coast Guard military reserve was established and the volunteers renamed the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary.
As the U.S. entered World War II, recruits flooded Auxiliary flotillas in a burst of patriotic fever. In 1942, some 50,000 Auxiliarists became the core of the Temporary Reserve performing coastal defense and search and rescue duties, patrolling bridges, factories, docks, and beaches. They fought fires, made arrests, guided naval vessels, and conducted anti-submarine warfare. As their ranks grew, thousands of active duty Coast Guard personnel were freed for service overseas.
By 1950, the four Auxiliary cornerstone missions - public education, operations, vessel examination, and fellowship were established. In 1996, legislation expanded the Auxiliary’s scope to allow members to assist in any Coast Guard mission authorized by the Commandant. The U. S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, the world’s largest volunteer marine safety organization, has kindled and interest in to create similar groups in other countries. Today, Auxiliarists can be found examining commercial fishing vessels; flying in C-130’s, working in Coast Guard offices, and crewing with regulars. Active Duty, Reservists, Civilian Employees, Retirees and Auxiliarists,–truly constitute TEAM COAST GUARD.
Auxiliarists have a great deal to be proud of. Over the past ten years, Auxiliary members have:
- Contributed 44,417,850 hours
- Taught 1,678,946 people with 980,000 hours of classroom work.
- Spent over 869,000 hours in community relations and media events
- Conducted 1,170,535 Vessel safety Checks (VSCs) over 579,000 hours, including more than 167,000 first time VSCs and over 158,000 high risk VSCs
- Made over 418,000 visits Recreational Boating Safety Program Visits spending more than 279,000 mission hours
- Served 4,297,312 hours underway on safety patrols
- Worked 56,188 hours on 25,377 missions, verifying 138,867 ATONs
- Spent over 19,475,000 hours on administrative tasks
- Examined over 10,223 Commercial Fishing Vessels
- Provided 1,587,646 hours of Coast Guard Operational Support on over 197,000 Support missions
- Supported the Coast Guard administratively with 770,554 hours & 115,292 missions
- Trained over 1,125,019 hours
- Performed Search and Rescue for over 723,000 hours, resulting in 5,083 lives saved, 141,980 persons assisted, & $1,460,055,940 in property saved.
- Recruited for The Coast Guard Academy, Active Duty & Reserve Officer and
- Enlisted programs for over 105,000 hours
- Spent more than 700,000 hours on Marine Safety and Environmental Protection Missions
- Contributed more than 22,000 hours in medical support to the Coast Guard
- Worked more than 39,000 hours in the International arena
- Consulted with state legislatures for over 5,483 hours
Since 1999, the Coast Guard Auxiliary has participated in events, including but not limited to:
- OPSail 2000 & USCGC Eagle visits to U.S. ports
- 9/11 attacks response
- Hurricanes Charlie, Rita, Katrina, Ike
- The California Delta Whale Rescue
- Several oil spills in the gulf coast, Alaska and in California.
- Annual support for AIM week(s) at the USCGA
- Annual support for the International Boating and Water Sports Symposia
- National Association of State Boating law Administrators events
- Boating Safety Advisory Council
- Training various waterborne police agencies
- Support the Coast Guard with Interpreters throughout the world
- Support as Chefs on CG vessels and stations.
- Augmenting by Auxiliary Health Professionals at Coast Guard clinics.
We provide the biggest bang for the buck for the American taxpayer. Each of us should take pride in knowing that we are special group, making a unique contribution to the Coast Guard and our Nation. Thank you for your service.
Happy Birthday and Semper Paratus.
COMO Nicholas Kerigan
National Commodore
United States Coast Guard Auxiliary
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