ALCOAST 230/23 - JUN 2023 84TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE UNITED STATES COAST GUARD AUXILIARY

R 232121Z JUN 23
FM COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC
TO ALCOAST
BT
UNCLAS
ALCOAST 230/23
SSIC 16790
SUBJ: 84TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE UNITED STATES COAST GUARD AUXILIARY
1. Happy 84th Anniversary to the Coast Guard Auxiliary from the
entire Coast Guard workforce.
2. Created in 1939 as the Coast Guard's "Volunteer Reserve",
the Auxiliary has served with pride as uniformed volunteers. Over
the last 84 years, the Coast Guard Auxiliary has grown and evolved
to incorporate new and innovative methods to promote recreational
boating safety on America's waterways and to assist the Coast
Guard as a true force multiplier. Auxiliarists demonstrate selfless
service, enthusiastically devoting their time, skills, and resources
to an increasingly diverse range of roles that preserve and protect
our Nation's maritime interests.
3. This was exemplified in 2022 when the Auxiliary served at the
vanguard of the Coast Guard's response on our Nation's southwest
border. More than 145 Auxiliarists volunteered to handle complex
logistical challenges to support the unique mission, enabling the
timely humanitarian processing of over 320,000 migrants.
The Auxiliary response typified the Coast Guard's remarkable mission
flexibility and was deservedly lauded by Department of Homeland
Security leadership.
4. The Coast Guard Auxiliary continued to have a positive impact
on our Nation's waterways last year. By providing over 6,200 boating
safety courses, 48,000 vessel safety checks and 62,000 marine dealer
visits, Auxiliarists helped ensure that America's maritime public
enjoyed their recreational boating endeavors in a responsible and
safe manner. Auxiliarists also provided key support to the National
Life Jacket Wear Observation Study, diligently recording life jacket
wear data that assisted the Coast Guard's boating safety program to
develop, implement, and assess effective strategies to promote life
jacket usage.
5. Auxiliarists continued to augment Coast Guard units in
increasingly diverse and valuable ways. They launched a virtual
Auxiliary flotilla to support Coast Guard Cyber Command, delivered
superb culinary assistance in dining facilities both ashore and
underway, and provided remarkable support to Coast Guard recruiting
through their Auxiliary University Program. Auxiliarists were also
an invaluable part of the Mariner Credentialing Fraud Task Force
that led to 36 criminal convictions, greatly enhancing the safety
and security of the nation's marine transportation system.
6. Our Auxiliary Chaplain program continues to provide critical
support to our Coast Guard workforce during a time of demanding
operations. Auxiliary Chaplains now outnumber our Active Duty
Chaplains in Coast Guard service. They have deployed on cutters in
support of Operation Vigilant Sentry, and performed all the usual
duties of Chaplains ashore, drastically increasing the Service's
capacity to care for our workforce.
5. We would like to thank our Coast Guard Auxiliary for all their
incredible contributions, along with their exceptional commitment
to Honor, Respect, and Devotion to Duty. Bravo Zulu and
Semper Paratus!
6. ADM Steven D. Poulin, Vice Commandant (VCG), sends.
7. Internet release is authorized.