Division 7 - District 7 

About the Coast Guard Auxiliary

The United States Coast Guard Auxiliary is the civilian, uniformed volunteer component of the United States Coast Guard, as well as the lead volunteer force in the Department of Homeland Security. The 31,000 volunteer members (men and women) donate time in support of the Coast Guard and Maritime Domain Awareness missions.

The CG Auxiliary was founded in 1939 by an Act of Congress as the US Coast Guard Reserves and re-designated the Auxiliary in 1941. The original purpose was to assist the Coast Guard in promoting boating safety. Its members come from all walks of life and all ages over 17 (there is no upper age limit).

Special training is provided free of charge so that we may serve as functional members of Team Coast Guard. Auxiliarists assist the Coast Guard in non-law enforcement programs such as public education, vessel safety checks, safety patrols, search and rescue, marine environmental protection and Coast Guard Academy introduction programs for youth, and now we also help with Homeland Security. Auxiliarists volunteer more than 2 million hours annually to benefit other boaters and their families.

Vision

The Coast Guard Auxiliary - rising to meet America's changing maritime safety and security challenges, while concurrently bringing to the American public an array of homeland security, recreational boating and marine safety programs.

Mission Statement

The overarching mission of the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary is to contribute to the safety and security of our citizens, ports, waterways and coastal regions. We will balance our missions of Recreational Boating Safety and Coast Guard Support with Maritime Homeland Security and other challenges that emerge as a result of our growing understanding of changes required in the post-9/11 era.

Diversity Statement

As a volunteer organization, the Auxiliary has its own uniqueness. Our members serve in communities throughout the country; come from different social, ethnic, religious and economic backgrounds, yet join together to contribute their time and talents toward the common cause of recreational boating safety. We will recognize our diversity and remove all barriers, real or perceived, so that our current and potential members will feel an increased pride and honor in their membership. The Coast Guard Auxiliary will:

• HONOR the members' desire for training and meaningful involvement, so that we can enhance the Coast Guard's capabilities and promote safety in the boating community.
• RESPECT the volunteer nature of our organization and its unique attributes, which enable us to fulfill our role as an integral part of Team Coast Guard.
• Recognize and encourage DEVOTION TO DUTY, while understanding the diversity of our volunteers and their varying abilities to give of their time.
• PROVIDE our current and potential members with a positive environment that will promote membership in all segments of our population, enhance their opportunities to serve and increase their desire to remain as long term contributing members.
• FULFILL our missions, provide adequate resources to our membership and inspire pride in the Auxiliary.  This will enable JOB ONE to expand our membership diversity and strengthen our ability to be Semper Paratus.