USCG CG-5421 Web Site - Basic Guidance and Clarification

Basic Guidance and Clarification - New Members

From Steve Minutolo, G-PCX-1, Chief, Administration and Policy

Auxiliary Courses and Test Administration:

a. Prospective members are authorized to take any and all Auxiliary courses. This includes specialty and Navrules exams. Flotillas may provide essential course materials to prospective members in order to facilitate learning as they would for an IQ or BQ Auxiliarist.

b. Prospective members are authorized to take any and all end-of-course exams associated with these courses.

c. Prospective members may be presented the corresponding course completion certificates in appropriate ceremonial venues upon successfully completing all course requirements.

d. Test results may be entered in AUXDATA for prospective members as test results are similarly entered for IQ and BQ Auxiliarists (see section 3).

2. Training and Qualifications:

a. Prospective members may train in any program similar to an IQ or BQ Auxiliarist to include attending workshops and having an assigned mentor. Limitations described below apply.

b. Prospective members may perform tasks that must be completed in order to earn qualification in certain program disciplines, specifically, but not limited to:

(1) successfully conduct five VSCs as a VE trainee.

(2)     successfully complete two visits as an RBS-PV trainee.
(3)     successfully complete two class instruction periods as an IT trainee.
(4)     successfully perform any non-underway or non-flight tasks in the boat crew, aviation or Trident programs (tasks associated with the donning of PPE and swim tests may be performed and signed off). They may ride aboard Auxiliary facilities in a guest status. As a reminder, once a prospective member has received a Favorable OS PSI determination, they may proceed on to qualification in a program that requires a favorable DO PSI determination. In doing so, they may perform all training tasks and may receive an interim certification upon completion of appropriate qualifications by the DIRAUX or operational commander while their DO PSI package is processed to completion. Similarly, an interim certification may also be granted to all other members who pursue their first program qualification that requires a Favorable DO determination. Interim certification is at the discretion of the DIRAUX or operational commander upon favorable review of the member's DO PSI package with no glaring issues.

(5) properly attend any required program workshops.

c.      Prospective members may not attend Coast Guard or Coast Guard Auxiliary C schools.

d.      Prospective members may not displace IQ or BQ Auxiliarists in any training venue or opportunity.

e.      Prospective members may not be qualified by DIRAUX in any program area until they have received a Favorable PSI determination at the appropriate level (see note about interim certification circumstances in 2b4 above).

f. Auxiliarists who, for whatever reason, disenroll or retire from the Auxiliary and then attempt to re-enroll without ever having obtained a Favorable PSI determination, shall be processed as any other prospective member in terms of PSI processing. Although the re-enrollee may effectively resume their certification at the corresponding point of currency maintenance, they must also pursue PSI determination like any other prospective member. If the re-enrollee was certified in a program that requires a Favorable DO PSI determination, then an interim certification may be issued by the DIRAUX or operational commander while their DO PSI package is processed to completion, per section 2b4.

3. AUXDATA Entries:

a. AUXDATA entries may be made as they occur for a prospective member's successful course completion as well as for successful completion of other distinct steps that must be completed in order to earn qualification in certain program disciplines, specifically, but not limited to:

(1) successfully conducting five VSCs as a VE trainee.

(2)     successfully completing two visits as an RBS-PV trainee.
(3)     successfully completing two class instruction periods as an IT trainee.
(4)     successfully performing any non-underway or non-flight tasks in the boat crew, aviation or Trident programs (tasks associated with the donning of PPE and swim tests may be performed and signed off). They may ride aboard Auxiliary facilities in a guest status. As a reminder, once a prospective member has received a Favorable OS PSI determination, they may proceed on to qualification in a program that requires a favorable DO PSI determination. In doing so, they may perform all training tasks and may receive an interim certification upon completion of appropriate qualifications by the DIRAUX or operational commander while their DO PSI package is processed to completion. Similarly, an interim certification may also be granted to all other members who pursue their first program qualification that requires a Favorable DO determination. Interim certification is at the discretion of the DIRAUX or operational commander upon favorable review of the member's DO PSI package with no glaring issues.

(5) properly attending any required program workshops.

b. A prospective member's AUXDATA entries must be made to reflect their trainee status. At no time shall AUXDATA entries for a prospective member be made to reflect them in lead or non-lead status for any program activity. Accordingly, any Mission Activity reports (Form 7030) must only reflect unit mission hours for the prospective member as a trainee. Hours spent on operational facilities (e.g. - on patrols) cannot be applied retroactively toward qualification.

c. A prospective member's base enrollment date shall coincide with the date of issue of their EMPLID. See section 6a.

d. AUXDATA is being modified to enable data entries consistent with the above provisions. These modifications are expected to be completed in early December 2004 (approximately two weeks). Notification of completion will be issued from this office.

4. Uniforms, Awards and Ceremonies:

a. Authority to obtain or wear Auxiliary uniform items or associated insignia as described in the Auxiliary Manual are concerns that remain under assessment by Auxiliary program leadership. Until a final determination is issued, prospective members are not authorized to obtain or wear such items.

b. In the interim, prospective members should be strongly encouraged by Auxiliary mentors and leadership to obtain and wear non-uniform Auxiliary clothing items (e.g. - Auxiliary polo shirt [other than authorized VE or uniform polo shirt], Auxiliary jacket, Auxiliary sweater) in lieu of Auxiliary uniform items until they receive a Favorable PSI determination.

c. Prospective members may participate on Flotilla committees (e.g. - Change of Watch committee).

d. Prospective members may participate in ceremonial events that do not require uniform wear. For example, a prospective member may serve as an emcee at a Change of Watch, but they may not serve as part of a color guard.

e. Prospective members may earn Auxiliary and Coast Guard unit/team awards if they are specifically identified as participants in the effort that earned the award and meet established award criteria. Appropriate AUXDATA entries may be made to reflect these awards. Until prospective members receive a Favorable PSI determination, normal policies apply for wear of corresponding award insignia on non-uniform attire (e.g. - lapel pin).

5. Organizational Assignments and Authorities:

a. Prospective members should be strongly encouraged to attend meetings and fellowship events to learn about Auxiliary orgrnization, policies, procedures and programs.

b. Prospective members may provide direct administrative support to Coast Guard units but must have the concurrence of the command to do so. Auxiliary Liaison Officers are specifically tasked with ensuring that the command and DIRAUX are advised in advance of any prospective member who desires to do so and that appropriate arrangements for recurring access are made.

c. Prospective members are not authorized to run for, accept nomination for, or hold any elected office. Waivers may not be granted by the prospective member's Auxiliary chain or DIRAUX under any circumstance.

d. Prospective members are not authorized to accept or hold any appointed staff office. Waivers may not be granted by the prospective member's Auxiliary chain or DIRAUX under any circumstance.

e. Prospective members may not sign any paperwork on behalf of the Auxiliary in the capacity of a qualified Auxiliarist or an elected or appointed staff officer.

6. ID Cards and EMPLIDs:

a. Prospective members may be issued EMPLIDs.

b. Prospective members are not authorized to have Auxiliary ID cards.

c. Prospective members may only receive an Auxiliary ID card upon receipt of a Favorable PSI determination or waiver for such by their DIRAUX as allowed for in the Auxiliary Manual.

d. Prospective members should never be placed in the position of having to attempt to gain access to a Coast Guard facility alone. All due effort shall be made by mentors and Auxiliary leaders to ensure that whenever prospective members may have need to gain access to a Coast Guard facility, they have an Auxiliary escort with them.

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Last Modified 5/7/2013

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