• Get Involved & Help Save Lives.
  Since more people participate in recreational boating each year, the Coast Guard Auxiliary needs good people like you as members. As an Auxiliarist, you may participate in one or more of the Auxiliary's programs, such as on-water Operations, Public Education, Courtesy Examinations, Radio Watchstander, Photo Corps, Coast Guard Recruiting, Marine Environmental Protection, or Coast Guard Administration and others.
• Develop New Skills
  The Auxiliary and the Coast Guard offer specialized training about boating and related topics, e.g. leadership and administration. Members may complete valuable training in seamanship to enjoy an increased sense of confidence as better and safer boaters.
  
  
• Support the Coast Guard
  Auxiliarists provide direct operational and administrative support to many local Coast Guard units. You may wear the Coast Guard Auxiliary uniform and become part of Team Coast Guard. When you qualify through training, you may take part in Search and Rescue operations, stand radio watch at the Coast Guard Station, work with the Marine Safety Office on pollution matters or work in the Recruiting Office, for example.
• Service to Your Community
  Auxiliarists don't get paid with money, but with deep personal satisfaction. We furnish and maintain our own equipment, and choose to participate at a level based on our individual capabilities. We provide boating safety classes for youth and adults and examine recreational vessel for safety equipment to increase the safety of our neighbors on the water.
• Enjoy Fun & Fellowship
  In all activities, we value fellowship - the good company of other Auxiliarists at meetings and training sessions, on patrols and other missions, and at ceremonies and social events. We believe in good old-fashioned hospitality. We invite friends, neighbors and interested members of the public to attend one of our flotilla meetings. You'll find a special camaraderie among Auxiliarists. We work hard, but also make time to relax and have fun at Auxiliary outings, training sessions, patrols, boat inspections, classes, and conferences. Auxiliarists often build lasting, meaningful friendships with each other. Knowing that you belong to a special group of people and directly participate in helping save lives gives your Auxiliary membership a special meaning.

United States citizens at least 17 old who have never been convicted of a felony may apply to join the Coast Guard Auxiliary. Before attaining full membership, applicants must be fingerprinted and successfully complete a background check. In order to participate in "Direct Operational" activities in support of the Coast Guard, members are subject to a full security check (NAC/LC).


Like the Coast Guard itself, the Auxiliary consists of many, decentralized units. Each flotilla has its own personality. Each flotilla emphasizes different aspects of the wide range of services described above. Flotilla 12-2 has more sailors as members than most other flotillas, for example. We have active Vessel Safety Check, Aids to Navigation, Public Education, Marine Safety, and Operations programs.
If you're interested in joining our flotilla, email our Flotilla Staff Officer - Personnel Services to talk about the activities of the flotilla. Then arrange to attend a flotilla meeting or two -- to get a better idea of how the flotilla operates and in which programs its members participate.