Training and qualifications opportunities

Membership begins with the New Member training program. This program explains the Auxiliary and its functions, and assists you in getting started.  You will be enrolled as a member of the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, which entitles you to many training opportunities for qualifications, as in:

If you desire to participate in any of these activities, you first undergo training and then qualification in the specific program.  This is designed to ensure proficiency and safety.  Ample opportunity to participate in the qualification training is provided by Auxiliary trainers throughout each year.

 

Auxiliary Specialty Courses

The AUXOP, or Operational Auxiliarist, program is an advanced training program available only to members of the Coast Guard Auxiliary. An AUXOP member has completed the six advanced specialty courses and is entitled to wear the special AUXOP device (shown above) on the uniform.   The AUXOP Specialty courses also provide an excellent foundation for the Boat Crew and Coxswain program.

Communications - AUXCOM

The AUXCOM Specialty is one of the few specialties cited as a requirement for other Auxiliary activities: ownership of an Auxiliary Fixed Land, Land Mobile, or Direction Finding Radio Facility. It is also required by Communications Officers who conduct radio facility inspections. AUXCOM is also the entry level requirement for communications watchstander training at Coast Guard units.

Advanced Coastal Navigation - AUXNAV

An Auxiliarist who is qualified as a Navigation Specialist is a genuine asset to the Auxiliary operations activities. This individual knows where their vessel is at any given time and keeps it from danger. The Navigation Specialist is also well prepared to participate in our Public Education program, teaching the piloting portion of our basic courses and participating in the Basic Coastal Navigation (BCN) and Advanced Coastal Navigation (ACN) courses.

Patrol - AUXPAT

The AUXPAT Specialist is another genuine asset to the Auxiliary operations activities. This individual fully understands the complete spectrum of operational patrol activities both on the water and in the air, such as: Safety Patrol, Search and Rescue (SAR), Regattas spectator safety control, Chart Updating/Aids to Navigation Patrols, to name a few. Practical knowledge achieved by the AUXPAT Specialist engenders a keen awareness of, and response to, emergency situations, without jeopardizing the crew and facility.

Search & Rescue - AUXSAR

An AUXSAR Specialist is well qualified in search and rescue and a genuine asset to the Auxiliary operations activities. The AUXSAR training is designed to present a thorough understanding of the policy, organization, and procedures involved in the search and rescue process as generally practiced by the U. S. Coast Guard. The AUXSAR Specialist is aware of the overall structure of the search and rescue organization, is able to plan search operations, and has an understanding of towing principles, towline properties, and recognition of the effects of sea state, to ensure a safe and successful search and rescue.

Seamanship - AUXSEA

The AUXSEA Specialist is a particularly valuable asset in Auxiliary operations as knowledge of vessels and proficiency in their operation is a major Auxiliary interest.  An AUXSEA Specialist has extensive knowledge of vessels and their propulsion systems as well as detailed information on how vessels are constructed, founded, and operated. The AUXSEA Specialist understands marine engines, knows how to perform minor repairs, is knowledgeable on vessel handling in normal and heavy weather, and how to approach distress situations. These attributes, when combined with the studies and practical training of the Boat Crew program, will make the member a competent and reliable crewmember of an Auxiliary vessel.

Weather - AUXWEA

The AUXWEA Specialist is a genuine asset to Auxiliary operations activities. This individual understands the weather, its importance in the marine environment, and to the conduct of safe and effective operations. The AUXWEA Specialist is able to make accurate and valuable short range (several hours) weather forecasts to enable crewmates to avoid dangerous weather conditions while performing their patrol activities. Long range (two or more days) forecasts are also developed to assist in planning operations activities. The AUXWEA Specialist develops a keen sense of weather processes, including those which have an element of danger: thunderstorms, squall lines, fog, tornadoes, and other severe phenomena. A comprehensive knowledge of weather processes and effects is essential to the competent mariner, whether on the high seas, the coastal areas, lakes and rivers, or local reservoirs.