Courses supporting the operations activities include the AUXOP (Operational Auxiliarist)

Specialty courses: AUXMIN (Administration), AUXCOM (Communications), AUXNAV

(Navigation), AUXPAT (Patrols), AUXSAR (Search and Rescue), AUXSEA (Seamanship),

and AUXWEA (Weather). Other training in support of operations activities includes

training for Auxiliary aviation, and Boat Crew/Coxswain.

Our Instructor Force is supported by the Instructor Qualification Course.

To support our Vessel Safety Check (VSC) program, we have the new VSC training

available to both our members and to the members of those organizations (such as the

USPS) which are also participating in this valuable program promoting safety to the

boating public. Also, in the same venue, is our training for our Marine Dealer Visitors.

For leadership and management, we offer the new Administrative Procedures Course

(AUXAPC), the older Auxiliary Leadership Course (AUXLEA), a completely new

leadership training experience -- the new Auxiliary LAMS course, and two "C" Schools, the

Elected Officers Course (a.k.a. Flotilla Commanders Course), and for District Rear and

Vice Commodores, the Vice Commodore Training (a.k.a., Auxiliary Senior Officers

Course - ASOC), for future District Commodores.

There are also special "C" schools for Career Counselor Training, and Distance Learning

Training.

Members are encouraged to avail themselves of this training program to enhance their

Auxiliary careers in support activities, and leadership/service activities: elected or staff

positions. A brief description of these training opportunities is provided below:

The AUXOP, or Operational Auxiliarist, program is an advanced training program available

only to members of the Coast Guard Auxiliary. An AUXOP member has completed the

seven advanced specialty courses and is entitled to wear the special AUXOP device on

the uniform. The AUXOP Specialty courses also provide an excellent foundation for the

Boat Crew and Coxswain program. The seven advanced specialty courses, which have

closed book examinations, are described below in terms of results:

AUXMIN, Administration Specialty:

The AUXMIN Specialty course is focused upon Auxiliary administration. It provides

essential knowledge to advance in the Coast Guard Auxiliary as an elected and appointed

officer. The AUXMIN course material is based upon the Auxiliary Manual (AUXMAN). [12

hours]

The Communications Specialty is one of the few specialties cited as a requirement for

other Auxiliary activities: ownership of an Auxiliary Fixed Land, Land Mobile, or Direction

Finding Radio Facility. It is also required by Communications Officers who conduct radio

facility inspections. AUXCOM is also the entry-level requirement for communications

watchstander training at Coast Guard units. [14 hours]

An Auxiliarist who is qualified as a Navigation Specialist is a genuine asset to the Auxiliary

operations activities. This individual knows where their vessel is at any given time and

keeps it from danger. The Navigation Specialist is also well prepared to participate in our

Public Education program, teaching the piloting portion of our basic courses and

participating in the Basic Coastal Navigation (BCN) and Advanced Coastal Navigation

(ACN) courses. [32 hours]

The Patrols Specialist is another genuine asset to the Auxiliary operations activities. This

individual fully understands the complete spectrum of operational patrol activities, both on

the water and in the air, such as: Safety Patrol, Search and Rescue (SAR), Regattas

spectator safety control, Chart Updating/Aids to Navigation Patrols, to name a few.

Practical knowledge achieved by the Patrol Specialist engenders a keen awareness of,

and response to, emergency situations, without jeopardizing the crew and facility. [10

hours]

The Search and Rescue Specialist is well qualified in search and rescue and a genuine

asset to the Auxiliary operations activities. The AUXSAR training is designed to present a

thorough understanding of the policy, organization, and procedures involved in the search

and rescue process as generally practiced by the U. S. Coast Guard. The Search and

Rescue Specialist is aware of the overall structure of the search and rescue organization,

is able to plan search operations, and has an understanding of towing principles, towline

properties, and recognition of the effects of sea state, to ensure a safe and successful

search and rescue. [12 hours]

The Seamanship Specialist is a particularly valuable asset in Auxiliary operations as

knowledge of vessels and proficiency in their operation is a major Auxiliary interest. A

Seamanship Specialist has extensive knowledge of vessels and their propulsion systems

as well as detailed information on how vessels are constructed, founded, and operated.

The Seamanship Specialist understands marine engines, knows how to perform minor

repairs, is knowledgeable on vessel handling in normal and heavy weather, and how to

approach distress situations. These attributes, when combined with the studies and

practical training of the Boat Crew/Coxswain program, will make the member a competent

and reliable crewmember of an Auxiliary vessel. [10 hours]

The Weather Specialist is a genuine asset to Auxiliary operations activities. This individual

understands the weather, its importance in the marine environment, and to the conduct of

safe and effective operations. The Weather Specialist is able to make accurate and

valuable short range (several hours) weather forecasts to enable crewmates to avoid

dangerous weather conditions while performing their patrol activities. Long range (two or

more days) forecasts are also developed to assist in planning operations activities. The

Weather Specialist develops a keen sense of weather processes, including those which

have an element of danger: thunderstorms, squall lines, fog, tornadoes, and other severe

phenomena. A comprehensive knowledge of weather processes and effects is essential

to the competent mariner, whether on the high seas, the coastal areas, lakes and rivers, or

local reservoirs.

[12 hours]

The training cadre in Auxiliary Air units provides this highly specialized training to

candidates for Auxiliary Aviator, Auxiliary Air Observer, and Auxiliary AirCrew. Based

upon the Auxiliary Air Crew Training Syllabus and Coast Guard aviation procedures,

members are provided with hands on training, check rides, and other experience prior to

receiving their qualification in this program.

This hands-on, practical factors demonstration training is based upon the Boat Crew

Manual and the interaction of candidates with Mentors and Qualification Examiners. The

Boat Crew and Coxswain Qualification Training Guides provide a road map for operational

oriented Auxiliarists to learn the intricacies of boat handling, patrols, search and rescue,

navigation, emergency actions, communications, and other knowledge and skills

necessary to directly support the Coast Guard in a safe and competent manner. Boat

Crew and the member training and operations team provide Coxswain training at the local

level.

IT, Auxiliary Instructor, and MI, Master Instructor, training includes a foundation in student

characteristics, instructor skills, methods of instruction, lesson planning, training aids,

classroom management and course presentation. The Instructor Qualification course is in

two parts, A and B. For Instructor (IT) qualification, the candidate completes Part A of the

course, passes the open book examination, and teaches two classes under a qualified

instructor's supervision. To become a Master Instructor (MI), the qualified IT is required to

complete Part B of the course under the supervision of a qualified MI. [12 hours, open book

examination]

The Auxiliary Vessel Examiner program has just been completely overhauled, with the new

Vessel Safety Check being initiated. The program and training are open to Auxiliarists

and members of other organizations (e.g., U. S. Power Squadrons) who are participating

in the program. [10 hours, open book examination]

The Marine Dealer Visitor (MDV) program has been developed to promote safe boating

for the recreational boating public through the aid of the marine dealer, a primary contact

with the novice boater. The training includes information on the scope of the program, its

objectives, benefits to the dealer, the public, the Coast Guard, and the Auxiliary; planning

and scheduling of visits; procedures, logistics and reports. [6 hours, open book

examination]

The Auxiliary's leadership and management (L&M) training is a constantly improving

situation. There is training at the basic level, for members in general; for potential and

newly elected and appointed staff officers; at the intermediate level for all Auxiliarists; and

at the senior officer level (District Rear and Vice Commodores, new Department Chiefs,

and new National Directorate Commodores). This training is described, below:

An old standby since 1993, and updated in 1996, this leadership training, focused at all

levels of the Auxiliary, covers topics such as power perception profile, quality management,

leadership vs. management, power, communication, the innerside of greatness, group

dynamics, empowering change, goals, total quality management, and managing Workforce

2000. [10 hours]

A new course, focused on the Auxiliary Manual (AUXMAN), which is the text, provides a

thorough basis in Auxiliary administration. Previously a self-study of the AUXMAN and an

open book examination, a formal course has now been developed to provide a more

consistent treatment of administration of Auxiliarists and Auxiliary units.

Auxiliary Leadership and Management (Auxiliary LAMS) Course:

This is a completely new training experience, an "Auxiliarized" Leadership and

Management (LAMS) course adapted from that presented by the Coast Guard's

Leadership Development Center in New London. The course uses exercises, videotapes,

lectures and discussions to demonstrate and explore various leadership approaches to

instill a working knowledge of leadership and management for any Auxiliarist. The course

is modularized and can be presented in selected segments depending on the needs of the

Auxiliary unit.

This "C" School is a 40 hour immersion leadership experience for flotilla and division level

elected and appointed officers, presented as short-term resident training at a Coast Guard

Training Center. The principle focus is on leadership training, with some basic Auxiliary

management ideal for potential and new Flotilla Commanders.

This executive level training is for Auxiliary senior officers in preparation for the elected

position of District Commodore, or the appointed positions of Department Chief (DC), or

National Directorate Commodore (NADCO). The three-phase course includes intensive

pre-classroom activities (homework) which start in January and continue until the 40-hour

immersion leadership and management experience classroom activities at a Coast Guard

Training Center. Post-classroom activities complete the cycle resulting in a well bonded,

networking class of future Commodores. The training is open to District Rear and Vice

Commodores and new DCs and NADCOs.

Offered at the National level as "C" Schools from time to time is special training. Such

training includes the Career Counselor Training, and the Distance Learning and Advanced

Distance Learning Schools. Other schools may be offered as funding and needs indicate.

The current special training opportunities are described below:

This "C" School, offered at Oklahoma State University, provides participants a basis for

making electronic projection presentations and web pages and other elements necessary

to exploit distance learning technology and its applications in Auxiliary training and public

education activities.

This "C" School, also offered at Oklahoma State University, builds on the knowledge and

skills developed at the Distance Learning School (prerequisite), and introduces students to

the "software" involved in providing distance learning applications for our members.