There are many activities that members can enjoy in the Auxiliary. Some of them require additional training before you can become FULLY involved. The two staff officers of most importance to new members are the Personnel Services (PS) and Member Training (MT) officers. These are the two people who will help you become an integral member of your flotilla. The Personnel Services Officer will work with each member on his or her individual "Member Involvement Plan." The PS Officer will discuss your interests, time commitment, and the investment you are willing to make in your flotilla. The two of you will develop a plan for your training that will enable you to be involved in the cornerstone activities of your choice. If you want to proceed farther into the cornerstone activities of the Auxiliary, you will need to seek additional training. You can choose from training for Operational Boat Crew, Instructor, Radio Watchstander, Coast Guard Boat Crew, Operational Air Crew, or Vessel Examiner.

A. Boat Crew Qualification Program:
In the Boat Crew Qualification Program, the Director of Auxiliary appoints a Qualification Examiner (QE), who approves Boat Crew tasks for candidates.

1. Crew
Once qualified at this level, you may serve as a crew member on an Auxiliary vessel facility while on official Coast Guard orders.

2. Auxiliary Coxswain
Requires a higher degree of knowledge, skill and experience. Once qualified you will be able to command an Auxiliary vessel facility while on official Coast Guard orders.

3. To retain qualification in the Operations Program, the member must meet requirements for currency maintenance every year and be approved by a QE every third year of currency maintenance.

B. Vessel Examination Program:

1. Vessel Examiner
Once qualified you may conduct safety examinations on recreational vessels. This is a primary Search and Rescue (SAR) prevention program of the Coast Guard and Auxiliary. More lives and property are saved through this program than any other.

2. Recreational Boating Safety (RBS) Program Visitor
Once qualified you will be able to visit marine dealers to educate the dealers on boating safety and gain their support for our boating safety program.

C. Auxiliary Instructor:
Once qualified, you will be allowed to teach in the Auxiliary's Public Education and Member Training Programs. This program teaches you how to teach, not what to teach. The material will come from research, experience, and other training.

D. Aviation Training Program:

1. Air Observer and Crew
Once qualified as Crew or Air Observer, you will be able to serve as part of an Auxiliary air crew operating under official Coast Guard Orders.

2. Pilot
Once qualified you will be able to pilot and command an Auxiliary air facility under official Coast Guard orders on Search and Rescue and Logistic Missions.

E. Radio Watchstander:
Once qualified, you will be able to stand radio watches at Coast Guard and Auxiliary-operated installations.

F. Private Aids to Navigation Verifiers:
Once qualified you will be able to verify the operation, condition, and location of Private Aids used for navigation.

2. Advanced Training Opportunities.

Specialty Course Training (AUXOP Program): This program consists of completing six specialty courses. After completing all six courses, your membership status will be changed from Initially Qualified or Basically Qualified to AUXOP and you will be entitled to wear the distinctive AUXOP device on your uniform.  The six specialty courses are:

1. Communications. This is a course on Coast Guard and Auxiliary radio communications.

2. Navigation. This course is an in-depth course in coastal navigation and requires much hands on chart work as well as theory.

3. Patrols. This course teaches about managing, supervising, and participating in the Auxiliary Operational Patrol Program.

4. Seamanship. This course teaches all phases of recreational boating seamanship to the member.

5. Search and Rescue. This course teaches how the Coast Guard runs its Search and Rescue Program as well as techniques on how to perform search missions.

6 Weather.  This course teaches the basics on types of weather, how to forecast weather, and how to stay out of trouble due to changing weather conditions.

 

In addition, members of the Coast Guard Auxiliary are eligible to take any of the "Nonclassified" correspondence courses from the United States Coast Guard Institute.