ALCOAST 181/26 - JUN 2026 EIGHTY-SEVENTH ANNIVERSARY OF THE UNITED STATES COAST GUARD AUXILIARY

R 182027Z JUN 26  MID180038793765U
FM COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC
TO ALCOAST
BT
UNCLAS
ALCOAST 181/26
SSIC 16790
SUBJ: EIGHTY-SEVENTH ANNIVERSARY OF THE UNITED STATES COAST GUARD
AUXILIARY
1. June 23, 2026 is a significant date for the Coast Guard. It will
mark our Auxiliary's eighty-seventh year of dedicated service to our
Nation.
2. The Auxiliary was created by The Coast Guard Reserve Act of 1939
on June 23, 1939, described as, "An Act to establish a Coast Guard
Reserve to be composed of owners of motorboats and yachts."
The Coast Guard Reserve was renamed the Coast Guard Auxiliary
in 1941, consisting of volunteers with the express purpose of
promoting maritime safety on and over the high seas and navigable
waters, promoting efficiency in the operation of motorboats and
yachts, fostering better knowledge of associated regulations and
operations, and facilitating other Coast Guard operations.
Congress intended for the Auxiliary to be a voluntary organization
administered by the Commandant of the Coast Guard under the
direction of the Secretary of the Treasury. That changed over the
years with the Coast Guard now under the purview of the
Department of Homeland Security and the Auxiliary administered by
the Office of Auxiliary and Boating Safety (CG-BSX) on behalf of the
Commandant.
3. Today's Auxiliary is comprised of vibrant volunteers, and its
missions have expanded far beyond the scope ever envisioned in 1939.
In addition to their core support of the Coast Guard's recreational
boating safety mission, Auxiliarists are now found performing an
incredibly varied array of assignments ranging from quarterdeck
watch standing, publication and forms editing, culinary support
aboard cutters to geospatial damage assessment support for recovery
operations in the aftermath of hurricane passage.
    a. The Auxiliary has become integral to the development of the
Coast Guard's future workforce through its flourishing Auxiliary
University Program and its Sea Scout Youth Development partnership.
    b. Its coxswains, aviators, medical professionals, interpreters,
chaplains, cyber experts, editors, mentors, and so many others are
alongside all Coast Guard personnel and at the ready to drive
Force Design to deliver the safe, secure, and steadfast
maritime service our Nation has been proud of for 250 years.
4. I take the time now to express our sincere gratitude and
emphasize how important and impactful our Coast Guard Auxiliarists
are. Each year, millions of miles are travelled and millions of
hours are selflessly contributed each year in support of our
missions. Our Auxiliarists have consistently proven to be trusted
and valuable shipmates.
5. Please join me in congratulating each volunteer for their
exceptional performance and enduring legacy. I request
Coast Guard units collocated with their local flotillas to fly
the Auxiliary Ensign on June 23rd and to celebrate when possible.
Semper Paratus!
6. POC: COMDT (CG-BSX-11) at hqs-smb-bsx-cgaux@uscg.mil.
7. CAPT R.C. Compher, Assistant Commandant for Prevention Policy
(CG-5P), sends.
8. Internet release is authorized.