In 1939, Congress
established "a United States Coast Guard Reserve" administered by the
Commandant and composed of unpaid, volunteer U.S. citizens who owned motorboats
or yachts. In 1941, Congress created a military reserve and renamed the
original volunteer reserve as the "Coast Guard Auxiliary."
The Coast Guard Auxiliary is the civilian, non-military component of the Coast Guard Forces. The Auxiliary supports the Coast Guard in all of its missions except military and law enforcement actions. The Coast Guard Auxiliary is composed of over 27,000 members from all walks of life who are drawn together by their love of the water and a willingness to serve other boaters. Its members receive special training so that they may be a functional part of the Coast Guard Forces.
Auxiliarists assist the Coast Guard in non-law-enforcement programs such as public education, safety patrols, search and rescue, marine environmental protection, and the Coast Guard Academy introduction programs for youth. Auxiliary members volunteer approximately 2-million hours annually to benefit other boaters and their families.
The following links provide more detailed discussion of and recent articles about the Coast Guard Auxiliary:
- History and Organization of the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary
- Military.com--Volunteer 'Coasties' Do Their Bit For America