ALCOAST 229/25 - MAY 2025 ADVANCED COXSWAIN INSIGNIAS FOR ATON AND HEAVY WEATHER

R 201424Z MAY 25   MID120001957757U
FM COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC
TO ALCOAST
BT
UNCLAS
ALCOAST 229/25
SSIC 16201
SUBJ: ADVANCED COXSWAIN INSIGNIAS FOR ATON AND HEAVY WEATHER
A. Military Qualifications and Insignia, COMDTINST 1200.1A
1. In accordance with Commandant Direction, the Advanced Coxswain
for ATON Insignia and the Advanced Coxswain Insignia for
Heavy Weather has been approved.
2. Military organizations highlight specific skill sets and
specialized communities through insignias. Wearing an insignia is
a celebration and reflection of an individual's significant
professional achievement. Earning insignias builds esprit-de-corps
while visibly representing professional competence.
3. The Coast Guard Workforce is our highest priority. With the
development of these new insignias, we will acknowledge those who
have achieved mastery of their programmatic specialties, while
safeguarding the meaning of and standards for such insignia.
Earning and proudly wearing a specialty insignia should be a
high priority for every member of our total workforce.
4. The Advanced Coxswain for ATON Insignia, similar to the
lighthouse pin worn by Keepers of the United States Lighthouse
Service, is crossed with a spar and whistling buoy. Like Keepers,
this represents the crucial role and responsibility ATON Coxswains
have in marking safe passages and hazardous areas for mariners,
ensuring the navigational safety of the maritime transportation
system. The lighthouse, standing tall at the center, represents
the steadfast guidance and enduring legacy of the United States
Lighthouse Service, established in 1789 to oversee the construction
and maintenance of lighthouses and other navigational aids.
ATON coxswains are the modern-day torchbearers of this legacy,
ensuring that navigational aids are functional, accurate, and
reliable. In the context of ATON, the coxswain's duties extend
beyond basic seamanship to include the meticulous maintenance and
deployment of navigational aids, such as buoys, beacons, lights,
and ranges, which are critical for maritime safety. The cresting
waves in the background evoke the dynamic and often challenging
marine environment in which these aids are often serviced. This
insignia is not just a symbol but a testament to the specialized
skills, dedication, and historical continuity of those who serve
as ATON coxswains. It honors their crucial role in maintaining
maritime safety, echoing the enduring mission of the United States
Lighthouse Service.
5. The Advanced Coxswain for Heavy Weather Insignia is reminiscent
of the classic lifeboat badges worn by lifeboat crews of the U.S.
Lifesaving Service, established in 1848 to provide rescue services
to mariners in distress. The insignia features two lifeboat oars
crossed with a rescue line and a life ring buoy at the center,
paying homage to the brave men and women who have risked their
lives to save others from the perilous seas. Like the lifeboat
crews of old, Heavy Weather Coxswains represent the crucial role
and responsibility of responding to emergencies and saving lives,
ensuring the safety of those who venture into the maritime
environment. The life ring buoy, proudly displayed at the center,
represents the steadfast dedication and enduring legacy of the
U.S. Lifesaving Service, which merged with the U.S. Revenue Cutter
Service in 1915 to form the U.S. Coast Guard. Heavy Weather
Coxswains are the modern-day torchbearers of this legacy, ensuring
that rescue operations are conducted with precision, skill, and
bravery. The cresting waves in the background evoke the dynamic and
often challenging marine environment in which these rescues are
often conducted. This insignia is not just a symbol but a testament
to the specialized skills, dedication, and historical continuity of
those who serve as Heavy Weather Coxswains. It honors their crucial
role in saving lives, echoing the enduring mission of the U.S.
Lifesaving Service to protect and serve those in peril on the
high seas.
6. Eligibility requirements. To be eligible to wear the Advanced
Coxswain for ATON Insignia, coxswains must have accumulated a
minimum of five years as a certified ATON Coxswain. To be eligible
to wear the Advanced Coxswain for Heavy Weather Insignia, coxswains
must have accumulated a minimum of five years as a certified Heavy
Weather Coxswain. Temporary devices are not authorized.
7. Issuing Authority. The issuing authorities for the Advanced
Coxswain for ATON Insignia and Advanced Coxswain Insignia for Heavy
Weather Insignia are unit commanders, commanding officers and
Office of Boat Forces (CG-731). COMDT (CG-731) is the issuing
authority for separated or retired individuals. Issuing authorities
must ensure certification requirements have been met and supporting
documentation is entered in Direct Access.
8. Documentation. Entitlement insignia certificates must be signed
and issued by the issuing authority. The unit's Servicing Personnel
Office (SPO) must record award of the insignia in Direct Access and
in the member's Official Military Personnel File. The Advanced
Coxswain for ATON and Heavy Weather Insignia Certificates can be
found on the Office of Boat Forces SharePoint Site:
(Copy and Paste URL Below into Browser)

https://uscg.sharepoint-mil.us/sites/cg731/SitePages/Boat%20Forces
%20Certificate.aspx

9. Manner of wear: ATON and Heavy Weather Coxswain are advanced
qualifications. Once the Advanced Coxswain for ATON or Heavy
Weather is earned, it will be worn in lieu of the Coxswain Insignia.
Members are only authorized to wear one coxswain insignia at a time.
10. These insignias will be incorporated into the next revision
of REF (A).
11. POC: Office of Boat Forces (CG-731), LT Chris Fuentes,
Christopher.Fuentes@uscg.mil. For general policy questions contact
COMDT (CG-7311) at HQS-DG-LST-CG-7311@uscg.mil.
12. RADM Shannon N. Gilreath, Assistant Commandant for Capability
(CG-7), sends.
13. Internet release is authorized.