Admiral Thad Allen
National Training Conference
St. Louis, MO
January 2008
The Coast Guard Auxiliary Has A Great Story To Tell
The U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Public Affairs Web Site is a resource for media information about the Auxiliary. Stories, are available as press releases or pre-written stories. Photos, videos and Public Service Radio Announcements are located at multimedia.
The Navigator is our quarterly print magazine that is available for on line viewing. Sitrep (Situation Report) is the Auxiliary's on line e news digest of recent events.
Members of the News Media are welcome to publish these stories about the Auxiliary. If you need further information, please contact us.
The Coast Guard Auxiliary was authorized by Congress on June 23, 1939. This Act authorized the Coast Guard to use civilain volunteers to promote boating safety on the nation's waterways. During World War II, many Auxiliarists joined the war effort in either active duty branches of the service, or as members fo the Temporary Reserve. These Reservists watched waterfronts, performed coastal patrols and rescued survivors from sinking ships.
On October 19, 1996 Congress greatly increased the responsibilities and training of the Auxiliary. The intent of Congress was to expand the ability of the Coast Guard to utilize the Auxiliary for missions not contemplated in 1939. The Coast Guard Authorization Act increased the scope of the Auxiliary's duties to include any role, mission, or operation that the Commandant of the Coast Guard might envision. Thus, the Auxiliary, traditionally known for its Boating Safely Classes and Vessel Safety Checks, will have greatly increased responsibilities. Currently, the Auxiliary has 29,000 members in all 50 states.
