70 Proceedings | Vol. 83, No. 1 efforts. Over seven days, the team conducted 12 patrols and logged more than 1,000 man-hours alongside FEMA, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the Environmental Protection Agency, and state partners. “Missions like the Hurricane Helene response prove that the Auxiliary is not only capable of supporting the Coast Guard, but [we’re] capable of executing the mission ourselves,” Alemand says. “When we deliver results like this with limited resources, it shows the true strength of our volunteer force and just how impactful the Auxiliary can be.” For this work, the New River Valley Flotilla received the 2024 Captain Niels P. Thomsen Innovation Award in the Auxiliary Category. Alemand credits the Auxiliary with providing the real-world experience that helped him pursue his Coast Guard career. “The Auxiliary played a key role in help- ing me pursue that goal by giving me real-world oppor- tunities to serve,” Alemand says. “Even though I am now a commissioned officer, I remain in the Auxiliary because I want to keep making a difference.” A National Reach, A Lasting Impact The stories in this article highlight more than isolated examples. They show the full spectrum of what the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary brings to the mission—every day, in every district. With nearly 20,000 members across all 50 states and territories, the Auxiliary extends the Coast Guard’s operational footprint beyond the limits of active-duty capacity. Auxiliarists operate on rivers, lakes, and coastal waters, in clinics and classrooms, behind cameras, in interpreter booths, and in cybersecurity briefings. Our members augment missions during national emergencies and routine operations. We help shape public messaging during presidential inaugurations, provide spiritual care when active-duty chaplains are unavailable, support medical referrals at training centers, and offer language interpretation in marine casualty investigations. We do not wait to be needed. We are already there. This is a force that adapts to the nation’s evolving needs. It responds not only to disasters and crises, but to the less visible gaps in language, trust, connection, and mentorship that define operational readiness just as much as technology and training. Every patrol. Every watch. Every augmentation. Every time the Coast Guard calls, the Auxiliary answers. We are not a supplement. We are an integrated part of the Coast Guard’s mission success. Our reach is national, and our impact is personal and enduring. Join the Mission The Coast Guard Auxiliary is open to anyone with a heart for service and the drive to contribute. Whether you’re a young student, mid-career professional, retiree, or military veteran, there’s a place for you in our ranks. No matter your background, you’ll find a mission that matches your skills. Communications specialists manage public information during national emergen- cies. Legal professionals assist with regulations and ethics. Boaters help teach seamanship. Pilots serve as air observers. Cybersecurity experts defend the Marine Transportation System. Interpreters help ensure inter- national safety and compliance. Chaplains and health professionals serve those who serve. Service in the Auxiliary isn’t just about giving. It’s about growing. Members build lifelong friendships, sharpen leadership skills, and make a tangible differ- ence in their communities. The commitment is flexible and scalable to your availability. What matters most is your willingness to answer the call. Every story I’ve included reflects one truth: The Coast Guard Auxiliary is not just a support organization. It is a powerful, professional, ready force, deeply embedded in the Coast Guard’s mission success. We are the Coast Guard’s trusted force multiplier, not just in numbers but in skill, dedication, and reach. Our members believe in something greater than themselves and that citizenship carries responsibility. This is your invitation to become part of that legacy. Every mission, every patrol, every briefing, every crisis shows us that the nation needs the Auxiliary now more than ever. The Auxiliary needs new voices, new perspectives, and new hands willing to carry the oar. If you have ever wondered how to give back in a way that truly matters, the Auxiliary is your answer. About the author: Rick Corrales, AUXPA1, is National Director of the Public Affairs Directorate for the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary. He leads national communications and crisis media operations, ensuring the Auxiliary’s 20,000 volunteers remain a trusted force multiplier alongside the U.S. Coast Guard. Endnotes: 1. United States Coast Guard, “Coast Guard Meritorious Team Commendation: National Scout Jamboree Task Force,” 2023 2. Chidester, Thomas R. et al. “Interpretation in US Coast Guard Marine Casualty Investigations,” Transportation Research Board, 2020. https://trid. trb.org/View/1659130 Learn more about how you can join the Coast Guard Auxiliary at https://cgaux.org For more information
