The Coast Guard Auxiliary Association, Inc., is a 501(c)(3) Non-Profit organization incorporated under the laws of the District of Columbia. The Commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard authorized the establishment of the Association as the only corporation authorized to provide for the business management of the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary.
The all-volunteer U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, created by act of Congress in 1939 to assist the U.S. Coast Guard, conducts vital missions of Homeland Security and Maritime Public Safety. Auxiliarists perform myriad duties and provide critical services throughout the United States and its territories.
The Auxiliary serves as the Coast Guard's "Executive Agent" for the Coast Guard's Recreational Boating Safety programs. The Auxiliary's expertise in safety programs is a key national asset, not only for the safety of boaters but also for the safety of ports and waterways as well as educating the public on the importance of their partnership in maintaining a vigil in the maritime environment for any threats to our Homeland Security.
While the Coast Guard provides reimbursements for fuel, oil and some maintenance expenses to Auxiliarists for certain operational missions, Auxiliarists are responsible for purchasing their own uniforms and accessories while also providing their own boats and aircraft including outfitting them to meet Coast Guard standards.
The Association provides outreach and educational program products in supporting the Auxiliary. The Association also provides the means for operating the national Auxiliary programs and a source for Auxiliarists to obtain the organizational specific uniform accessories and equipment required to perform their duties.
It also facilitates national training objectives and the support for the national board, staff and other supporting requirements. The Association produces the educational materials and many outreach program materials supporting public education, the waterway watch program, vessel safety check and recreational boating safety program visitor programs, and other public outreach efforts.
The Association's Board includes a Chairman. Vice Chairman, President/Chief Executive Officer and currently 10 other directors. All are volunteers. The Chairman is the National Commodore of the Coast Guard Auxiliary and the Vice Chairman is the Vice National Commodore. The Immediate Past National Commodore is a director.