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Last Updated:
Sunday, November 20, 2005 10:39 AM
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News Release
| AUXILIARY FIREARMS COACHES ASSISTING COAST GUARD |
Date:
Contact: Aux. Wayne Spivak |
Members of the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary are legally permitted to perform all missions conducted by active duty and reserve personnel with two exceptions – they cannot be involved in combat activities nor can they perform direct law enforcement duties. However, a select few Auxiliarists in Florida and New York have taken to Coast Guard firing ranges. These Auxiliarists are among the first in the country to become Firearms Coaches for the Coast Guard.
The unique program began at Group Miami in Florida where Auxiliarists had been coaching Coast Guard officers and enlisted personnel in their firearms skills. Its purpose was to provide hands-on assistance to the Coast Guard Gunners Mates in carrying out their necessary firearms training and currency maintenance efforts for Coast Guard personnel.
Group Moriches, on Long Island, imported the concept and began a pilot program after obtaining approval from Commander John Felker, Director of the Auxiliary’s First District and Commander John Healey, Group Commander, USCG Group Moriches.
A call for volunteers went out with the criteria for candidates with prior military and/or law enforcement experience with firearms, active gun club membership or certification as a firearms instructor. After receiving numerous responses, 14 candidates were selected. Those who did not make the final cut have been placed in a reserve file for consideration in the event that additional coaches are needed.
All coaches were required to pass the same Personal Qualification Standard exam for firearms that is required of USCG personnel and to qualify or be proficient with the three basic personal weapons used by the U.S. Coast Guard.
The Auxiliary Coaches, now known as the Group Moriches "Auxiliary Firearms Coaching Unit" (AFCU), lead by Auxiliarist Harvey Miller, have conducted several classroom and live firing training sessions with the 9mm Baretta pistol, M16 rifle, and Model 870 shotgun. These sessions also involve understanding the operation and function of each weapon including breaking it down, cleaning, and reassembly.
Reaction to this program by the Coast Guard Command at Group Moriches has been extremely favorable with the Auxiliary adding a significant dimension to their weapons training activities. Indications are that as a result of this training, marksmanship scores have improved across the board.
Despite the fact that Auxiliary coaches are handling weapons during these training exercises, they are not being issued firearms for custodial keeping. All weapons used in training evolutions are returned to a designated USCG regular at the conclusion of each session.
Mr. Miller foresees the expansion of this program over time to other USCG commands within the First District, which covers New England.
The United States Coast Guard Auxiliary is composed of uniformed, non-military volunteer's who assist the Coast Guard in all of its varied missions, except for military and direct law enforcement. These men and women can be found on the nation's waterways, in the air, in classrooms and on the dock, performing Maritime Domain Awareness patrols, safety patrols, vessel safety checks and public education. The United States Coast Guard Auxiliary was founded in 1939 by an Act of Congress as the U.S. Coast Guard Reserve and re-designated as the Auxiliary in 1941. Its 30,000 members donate millions of hours annually in support of Coast Guard missions. For more information on the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary, visit us at www.cgaux.org. ### |
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