United States Coast Guard Auxiliary - Missions and Core Values

Missions and Core Values

Historically, the primary missions of the Auxiliary have been providing free vessel "safety checks," boater education and supplementing other USCG operations. The Auxiliary's four cornerstones are Member Services, Operations and Marine Safety, Recreational Boating Safety and Fellowship (the "glue" which holds the Auxiliary's missions and its members together).

Auxiliarists can be found on the nation's waterways, in the air, in classrooms and on the dock, performing maritime domain awareness patrols, safety patrols, vessel safety checks and public education. Additionally, the Auxiliary performs behind the scenes missions in support of USCG operations. Annually, members donate millions of hours in support of USCG missions.

Current programs in which Auxiliary members are authorized to participate include, but are not limited to:

• Administrative support to the Coast Guard
• Aids to Navigation verification (ATON)
• Assistance to local government (e.g., Small Boat Course for Local Law Enforcement)
• Augmentation of Coast Guard billets
• Bridge administration
• Auxiliary Air ("AuxAir") - USCG aircraft support
• Contingency preparedness
• Licensing of merchant mariners
• Marine Safety and Environmental Protection (MSEP)
• Operational support to the Coast Guard (OPS): This includes radio watchstanding (RWS).
• Port Safety and Security (PS&S)
• Public Affairs support (PA)
• Recreational Boating Safety (RBS)
• Recruiting
• Search and rescue (SAR)
• Vessel inspections in partnership with the United States Power Squadrons
• Waterways management

The Auxiliary shares the Coast Guard's core values, which are Honor, Respect, and Devotion to Duty. The motto of the USCG, including the Auxiliary, is "Semper Paratus" (Always Ready).