Coast Guard Auxiliary Requirements

• The Coast Guard Auxiliary takes part in many activities of the U.S. Coast Guard. Perry Mastrovito/Creatas/Getty Images

  Established by an Act of Congress in 1939, the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary supports the U.S. Coast Guard in a variety of non-military missions and activities. Uniformed, trained participants take part on a volunteer basis in all 50 states as well as the Virgin Islands, Guam, Puerto Rico and American Samoa. Volunteers accept duties ranging from on-water patrols to administrative assistance.

Requirements

• Coast Guard Auxiliary volunteers do not have to commit to a certain number of service hours. coast guard image by Studio Pookini from Fotolia.com

  The United States Coast Guard Auxiliary is a volunteer-based organization. Because the Auxiliary does not take part in military or law-enforcement operations, requirements for joining are not as stringent as for the U.S. Coast Guard. Although there is no upper age limit, you must be at least 17 years of age. There are no specific height and weight requirements, but volunteers must be reasonably physically fit in order to perform certain duties. As a volunteer, you must pass a basic background check and be a U.S. citizen. Unlike active or reserve members, you will not be asked to commit to a certain number of hours of duty and may volunteer as often or as infrequently as you wish.

Recreatonal Boating Service

• Helping to educate recreational boaters is one way Auxiliary members serve the public. boating lesson image by Wimbledon from Fotolia.com

  Dubbed America's volunteer lifesavers, members of the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary perform a great many of the same vital duties as their active duty and reserve counterparts. Helping recreational boaters to stay safe is one of the primary duties performed. As an Auxiliary volunteer, you will be trained to deliver the Coast Guard's Public Safety Boating Education program and perform voluntary boat safety checks for recreational boaters. You may also help local marine-related businesses remain current on boating regulations and perform other general outreach duties, such as helping to represent the Coast Guard at boating shows and other venues.

Patrol Missions and Operations

• Coast Guard Auxiliary volunteers can receive advanced training for patrol and security activities. coast guard image by Sean Gladwell from Fotolia.com

  If you enjoy being on the water, you may want to volunteer for more than educational outreach work. The Coast Guard Auxiliary can provide training that qualifies you as a member of the boat crew. You may even want to become the coxswain, the person in charge of steering the watercraft. Once qualified, you can perform routine safety patrol missions in your area and also help out with local regattas, over-the-water firework displays and related events. You'll have the opportunity to work alongside enlisted Coast Guard personnel as they conduct safety inspections of commercial vessels, port security operations, planning exercises and related activities. You will receive the same training as active duty and reserve Coast Guard members in preparing for these tasks.

Mission Support

• The Coast Guard Auxiliary is also in need of people to provide administrative and operational support. computer image by Hao Wang from Fotolia.com

  If you're more comfortable on land than on the water, you can still lend your talents and time as a Coast Guard Auxiliary member. The Auxiliary needs people who can provide leadership and administrative support in a number of ways that don't even involve getting out on the water. Special skills in areas such as website design, information technology, photography, videography, public relations, education and human resources are important to the ongoing activities of other Auxiliarists involved in recreational boating outreach programs, marine safety and other missions.