U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, 5th Southern Distr., Division 23, Flotilla 2, Solomons, Md.

MISSION: The purpose of the Coast Guard Auxiliary is to assist the Coast Guard, as authorized by the Commandant, in performing any Coast Guard function, power, duty, role, mission or operation authorized by law except law enforcement and military operations. Our overarching mission is to contribute to the safety and security of our citizens, ports, waterways and coastal regions. This is balanced by our missions of recreational boating safety and Coast Guard support with maritime homeland security and other challenges that emerge. We also stress fellowship among our members and hold social events throughout the year.

MULTI-MISSION FORCE-MULTIPLIER: The Auxiliary provides almost $1 billion in service to the Federal Government and the American public at a fraction of the cost. In 1939, Congress passed legislation that established the Coast Guard Reserve, its volunteer civilian component, to promote boating safety and to facilitate the operations of the Coast Guard. Groups of boat owners were organized into flotillas and these into divisions within Coast Guard Districts around the country. Members initially conducted safety and security patrols and helped enforce the provisions of the 1940 Federal Boating and Espionage Acts. Then in February 1941, a military reserve was created and the volunteer Reserve was renamed the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary. The CG Auxiliary is a large component of the Coast Guard. As of 2018, the Coast Guard had 41,000 active duty members and the Coast Guard Auxiliary had 31,000 members.

MEMBERSHIP REQUIREMENTS: Having a boat, radio equipment, aircraft, or specialized knowledge is not required to be a member of the CG Auxiliary. We do have members that are experienced boaters, amateur radio operators, and licensed aircraft pilots using their own operational vessels, aircraft and communications stations or providing skills the Coast Guard can use. We can provide training in these operational skills with a combination of on-line, virtual and one-on-one mentoring. But these skills are not the only ones we need. We also need members to perform administrative, human relations, diversity, financial and leadership roles. We will train you in your areas of interest and you can contribute to our mission in whatever way you are comfortable. You can spend as little or as much time as you can afford performing your CG Auxiliary duties.

Membership is open to any citizen of the U.S. and its territories and possessions who is seventeen years of age or older (no mandatory maximum age).

Membership is predicated on full and successful completion of the Auxiliary enrollment application, including passing the New Member Exam.

No specific physical standards must be met in order to be eligible to enroll in the Auxiliary. Any Auxiliarist, regardless of physical limitations, may participate in training to achieve certification in a non-operational or operational position. However, to become certified in an operational discipline, Auxiliarists must demonstrate their ability, mobility, and endurance to satisfactorily complete performance-based training and qualification tasks that are based on the procedures outlined in associated qualification guide(s).

Auxiliarists operate on their own time and for the most part, at their own expense. There is some Coast Guard funding support for members to pay for training, fuel and subsistence used in the performance of officially sanctioned operations. When on duty, Auxiliarists are considered federal employees for the purpose of civil liability, for medical, disability and death-benefit compensation. After three years of service the State of Maryland provides a generous state tax incentive for active members.

THE AUXILIARY HAS SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE:

* Search and Rescue
* Aircraft Operations
* Seamanship Training
* Weather Training
* Radio & Computer Operations
* Public Education Instruction
* Aid to Navigation
* Courtesy Vessel Safety Examinations
* Support during natural disasters and man-made disasters
* Marine Safety
* Environmental Protection
* Recruiting Assistance
* Fun and fellowship!

PUBLIC EDUCATION COURSES: Offer a wide variety of boating courses tailored to specific needs including boat handling, legal responsibilities, aids to navigation, rules of the road, piloting, etc.

OPERATIONS: The CG Auxiliary assists the Coast Guard in search and rescue/assistance missions, environmental protection, marine safety, patrolling regattas and marine events. We perform safety patrols, often in conjunction with regular CG units, and provide verification of private aids to navigation.

COURTESY MARINE VESSEL SAFETY EXAMINATIONS: Our specially trained and certified Vessel Examiners are authorized to conduct free courtesy vessel safety examinations upon request by owners/operators for safety equipment and compliance with the requirements of federal and state law. Upon passing the examination you will have a Vessel Safety Check sticker to display on your boat.

If you live or boat in Southern Maryland and are interested in joining Flotilla 23-02, please contact us at SolomonsCGAux@hotmail.com or see our website at:
http://wow.uscgaux.info/content.php?unit=054-23-02&fbclid=IwAR1cAcfn9kLzGjzOYrSsLpbzoTo4wjgnJ0jnmd5hNLb7Rps8bJbGif5-tR8

or Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/UscgAuxiliary5thDistrictFlotilla232/

For more information on the USCG AUXILIARY, visit the national web site at: http://www.cgaux.org/

To learn more about the active duty and reserve components of the U.S. COAST GUARD and the many available job opportunities, please visit these web sites:

https://www.uscg.mil/

SEMPER PARATUS!
(Always Ready!)