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US Coast Guard Flotilla 10-2 Savannah GA District 7

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQ)

  1. How do I signup to be a member of the US Coast Guard Auxiliary in Savannah, GA?
  2. I am 16. Can I join the US Coast Guard Auxiliary?
  3. I am a woman. Can I join the US Coast Guard Auxiliary?
  4. I have not served in the Coast Guard or other branches of the military. Can I join the US Coast Guard Auxiliary?
  5. I am retired. Can I join the US Coast Guard Auxiliary?
  6. I have had some trouble with the law in the past. Do I have to have a perfect background check to be a member of the US Coast Guard Auxiliary?
  7. I don't own a boat and don't have any boating experience, can I join the US Coast Guard Auxiliary anyway?
  8. I don't have a driver's license. Can I join the US Coast Guard Auxiliary?
  9. I am here on a visa, but am not a US citizen. Can I join the US Coast Guard Auxiliary?
  10. I have some health challenges. Do I have to pass a physical to join the US Coast Guard Auxiliary?
  11. How many of hours of work are required each month to remain active in the US Coast Guard Auxiliary?
  12. I don't live in Savannah. Where do you hold your meetings? Is attendance mandatory?
  13. What courses or training are required to be a member of the US Coast Guard Auxiliary?
  14. Does the US Coast Guard Auxiliary offer any extra training, beyond the required courses?
  15. Are their any discounts for US Coast Guard Auxiliary public boating courses if I am a member?
  16. Is there a physical fitness standard that I must meet to become or remain a member of the US Coast Guard Auxiliary?
  17. Do I have to pay for my US Coast Guard Auxiliary uniform? If so, what will it cost?
  18. Do I have to pay dues to be a member of the US Coast Guard Auxiliary?
  19. I have a boat (or plane.) Does the US Coast Guard Auxiliary use their member's boats (or planes) for anything? If so, for what purposes, and what level of commitment is required, and do I have to pay for my gas?
  20. If I volunteer my boat (or plane) do I have to let others captain my craft? Is there any insurance offered by the US Coast Guard Auxiliary?
  21. I have a private pilot's license. Would I be able to pilot US Coast Guard Auxiliary flight missions?
  22. I don't have a private pilot's license, but I am interested in flying. Would I be able to fly in US Coast Guard Auxiliary flight missions?
  23. I am a law enforcement officer and have a concealed-carry permit. Would I be allowed to carry my weapon on US Coast Guard Auxiliary missions or to US Coast Guard Auxiliary meetings?
  24. If I became a member of the US Coast Guard Auxiliary, would I be required to arrest people for breaking boating laws?
  25. How do I signup to be a member of the US Coast Guard Auxiliary in Savannah, GA?

How do I signup to be a member of the US Coast Guard Auxiliary in Savannah, GA?
On the website, click on the "Public" tab, then "I Want To Join" to learn more, or attend one of our meetings, which are open to the public, and express your interest to one of the officers at the meeting. (Times and locations of our monthly meetings are under the "Events" tab. Look for the next "Monthly Flotilla Meeting".)

I am 16. Can I join the US Coast Guard Auxiliary?
The minimum age for joining the Auxiliary is 17. But we appreciate your interest.

I am a woman. Can I join the US Coast Guard Auxiliary?
Yes. Females are welcomed and encouraged to join. Two of our past Flotilla Commanders were female.

I have not served in the US Coast Guard or other branches of the military. Can I join the US Coast Guard Auxiliary?
Yes. We are a voluntary force that welcomes both civilians and veterans. But those currently serving in the military are not eligible for the Auxiliary.

I am retired. Can I join the US Coast Guard Auxiliary?
Yes, we have many retired members who make an extremely valuable contribution to the Auxiliary.

I have had some trouble with the law in the past. Do I have to have a perfect background check to be a member of the US Coast Guard Auxiliary?
No, not necessarily, but this is something you will want to discuss in the interview process.

I don't own a boat and don't have any boating experience; can I join the US Coast Guard Auxiliary anyway?
No problem. We will train you in each of the areas of service in which you are interested.

I don't have a driver's license. Can I join the US Coast Guard Auxiliary?
Having a driver's license is not a requirement, but you will need to have a reliable means of transportation to Auxiliary activities.

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I am here on a visa, but am not a US citizen. Can I join the US Coast Guard Auxiliary?
Only US citizens (by birth or naturalization) may join the Auxiliary. We operate under the authority of the Department of Home Land Security.

I have some health challenges. Do I have to pass a physical to join the US Coast Guard Auxiliary?
Not to join, but you might for some of our activities. You will want to discuss these issues during the interview process.

How many of hours of work are required each month to remain active in the US Coast Guard Auxiliary?
There are no minimum requirements for service. We are a voluntary service organization. But that being said, if you are not going to be able to commit some time to the Auxiliary on a semi-regular monthly basis, it is best that you not join.

I don't live in Savannah. Where do you hold your meetings? Is attendance mandatory?
Our meeting locations are listed on our calendar. There are no geographic restrictions and meeting attendance is not mandatory.

What courses or training are required to be a member of the US Coast Guard Auxiliary?
There are mandatory classes, some of which are only taken once; others must be retaken more frequently. There are other specialty courses that are elective and help prepare our members for service in specific areas. Once you join, you will be given a member number, which will give you access to our "Members-Only" page, where the mandatory and other classes are listed.

Does the US Coast Guard Auxiliary offer any extra training, beyond the required courses?
Yes, there are many specialty courses that allow Auxiliary members to specialize in unique areas of service. You may find that a number of your interests are represented in these courses and areas of service.

Are their any discounts for US Coast Guard Auxiliary public boating courses if I am a member?
Yes, in the past, some of our public education courses have been available to members for no- or reduced cost.

Is there a physical fitness standard that I must meet to become or remain a member of the US Coast Guard Auxiliary?
For most of our activities, there are no physical fitness requirements. But some activities (such as pilot or flight crew) do require passing physical fitness tests.

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Do I have to pay for my US Coast Guard Auxiliary uniform? If so, what will it cost?
Yes. Costs vary based on the type and number of uniforms purchased. Uniforms must meet official requirements and sourcing. There are occasionally second-hand uniforms available for free when past members leave the auxiliary. If cost is an issue, be sure to inquire about it.

Do I have to pay dues to be a member of the US Coast Guard Auxiliary?
Yes, dues are due annually and are currently set at $60.

I have a boat (or a plane.) Does the US Coast Guard Auxiliary use their member's boats (or planes) for anything? If so, for what purposes, and what level of commitment is required, and do I have to pay for my gas?
You may volunteer your "facility", as they are termed, for use by the Auxiliary. You continue to arrange and pay for their dockage (or hanger) and in every other way oversee their transport and maintenance. Facilities must pass inspection prior to acceptance. All missions will be assigned under specific orders governing the date, time, origin, purpose, duration of the mission, etc. Certain costs, such as fuel, may be rebated while the facility is under orders.

If I volunteer my boat (or plane) do I have to let others captain my craft? Is there any insurance offered by the US Coast Guard Auxiliary?
You will maintain control over the use of your facility, but to captain (or pilot) your facility on an Auxiliary mission, you must be an Auxiliary certified coxswain (or pilot) in good standing and under orders. You may authorize the use of your craft to other qualified persons, but it is not mandatory for you to do so. While under orders, the Auxiliary will insure your craft, but you should not allow your normal coverage to lapse.

I have a private pilot's license. Would I be able to pilot US Coast Guard Auxiliary flight missions?
You must complete the training and testing offered by the Auxiliary. Your private or commercial license does not waive the requirements of the Auxiliary.

I don't have a private pilot's license, but I am interested in flying. Would I be able to fly in US Coast Guard Auxiliary flight missions?
No problem. We offer all the courses and training you need to serve as aircrew, or air observer. Auxiliary-required training for pilots first requires the member have a valid FAA pilot's license.

I am a law enforcement officer and have a concealed-carry permit. Would I be allowed to carry my weapon on US Coast Guard Auxiliary missions or to US Coast Guard Auxiliary meetings?
No. The US Coast Guard does not grant law enforcement duties to the US Coast Guard Auxiliary and weapons are prohibited.

If I became a member of the US Coast Guard Auxiliary, would I be required to arrest people for breaking boating laws?
No. The US Coast Guard does not grant law enforcement duties to the US Coast Guard Auxiliary. We are the "Eyes and Ears" of the US Coast Guard only. We are in constant radio communication with the US Coast Guard during our patrols. If you observe an infraction of law, you will contact the US Coast Guard.

How do I signup to be a member of the US Coast Guard Auxiliary in Savannah, GA?
From the website, click on the "Public" tab, then "I Want To Join" to learn more, or attend one of our meetings, which are open to the public, and express your interest to one of the officers at the meeting. (Times and locations of our monthly meetings are under the "Events" tab. Look for the next "Monthly Flotilla Meeting".)

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