A few
short weeks ago, life for America changed for ever. Just as it did some 59
years ago, Americans were shaken from complacency by acts so horrific, they
belie simple explanations. Even back then, the USCG Auxiliary (then called
the Reserve) was playing a major role in recreational boating safety and
search and rescue.
Today,
more than ever, the Auxiliary may be just the place you want to be, helping
both your neighborhood and your country in a time of need. Make no mistake
about it, both the Coast Guard and your country need all the help it can
get, and not just for Homeland Defense, or to fight terrorism, but in
everyday aspects that we still take for granted.
While
there is a new heightened sense of security issues, all the other issues
that were present in your life still exist. Lets see if some of the roles
that the Coast Guard Auxiliary is involved with meets your desires…
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United States
Coast Guard Auxiliary Opportunities
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Desire
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Fulfillment in the
Auxiliary
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You want to help our country with Homeland Defense |
Operations
Air Operations
Communications
Marine Safety
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So, you're not really a boater, but your all for the environment.
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Marine Safety And
Environmental Protection
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Search and Rescue intrigues you, but you have no training. |
Search and Rescue
Air Operations
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You're interested in marine science, and feel that the fishing industry
isn't safe. |
Commercial Fishing Vessel Operation
Operation Safe Catch
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You a history buff and you want to the help the Library of Congress
record oral histories of World War I and World War II veterans.
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Library of Congress Interviewers |
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You've always wanted to teach, but never had the opportunity |
Recreational Boating Safety
Member Training
Public Education
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Role Model for young adults/teenagers |
Career Counselors
Project AIM (Academy Introduction Mission)
Project MITE (Minority Introduction to Engineering)
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You
can make your opportunity in the USCG Auxiliary. That's right, the Auxiliary
can provide you the opportunity to both learn new skills and provide public
service right where you live! All they ask is that you volunteer. All you
need to do is ask.
Training may take some time, and some of the qualifications you may earn
require additional maintenance time, but with those exceptions there is no
minimum number of hours you need to commit.
Who
joins the Auxiliary? Men and women, who are US Citizens and over 17 years of
age. Professionals, students, retired people, retired military, teachers,
electricians, doctors, plumbers, lawyers, shipping clerks, computer
professionals. All walks of life join the Auxiliary, with the same ultimate
common goal.
The
38,000 men and women who volunteer their time with the CG Auxiliary do so
because they want to make a difference. They want to make a difference in
their neighborhood and region. They care! And what's more important is they
have and continue to make a difference! That's the common goal, to make a
difference.
I
myself just joined the Auxiliary. Why you ask? Because I, like most
Americans saw the World Trade Center disaster unfold on television. But in
my case it goes even further. I knew many of the responders (police, fire
and emergency medical workers) and used to be a member of NYC's Emergency
Medical Service. I also knew one of America's heroes, who died so others may
live.
I was
unable, unlike in 1993, to respond and assist. One of the first rules of
rescue is don't become a victim! The smoke and air quality was so bad, that
if I had gone and helped, I would have become a victim, instead of a
rescuer.
So I
started to search for an organization that was doing something about our
national crises. I have always been involved in public service, and have
been involved in recreational boating safety for the past 9 years. So I knew
about the Auxiliary, but never thought it was right for me.
I was
wrong. I never realized that the men and women of the Auxiliary back-fill
almost every job in the Coast Guard with the exception of direct law
enforcement and military activities. I didn't know Auxiliarists were on duty
at the Coast Guard office just a few blocks away from the World Trade
Center.
Within
minutes of the disaster these Auxiliarists and others from all over the
metropolitan region called their local stations and offered their
assistance. Immediately the Coast Guard used their force multiplier, the
volunteers who are the Auxiliary, to boost the number of boats, planes and
people available for all functions of the Coast Guard.
Within
an hour of the disaster CG Auxiliary vessels, which are privately owned
boats, manned by trained volunteers sped to the disaster to assist in
ferrying police, fire, medical personal, as well as supplies and anything
else needed. This was done as the regular Coast Guard vessels were
maintaining port security. If you're thinking you have to spend a lot of
money to be a member, you're wrong. As long as you're on what's called
reimbursable orders (in other words, you're officially working), the Coast
Guard will reimburse you for certain expenses. Other expenses, such as
uniforms or equipment, are not reimbursed but are tax deductible (speak to
your tax advisor about this).
All
over the country, Auxiliary members were called in to assist the regular
members of the Coast Guard, as our Armed Force were put on high alert. As
the regular Coast Guard officers and enlisted were arming themselves and
going on security patrols, the Auxiliary members (who by law are forbidden
to participate in law enforcement and military actions) took over all the
other jobs.
Each
member, who was trained by either Coast Guard or Auxiliary trainers, used
their specific training to aid America. They went on Search and Rescue
missions. They handled the radio traffic, they did paperwork, they moved
supplies by vehicle, and they did perimeter patrols. The key words here are
that THEY DID!
So if
you're like me, and want to DO, instead of just sitting by and letting
someone else do it, then contact your local United States Coast Guard
Auxiliary Flotilla.