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AUXOP Specialty Courses

	AUXSEA Seamanship		AUXPAT Patrols
	AUXNAV Navigation		AUXWEA Weather
	AUXCOM Communications
	AUXSAR Search & Rescue

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Introduction

The AUXOP, or Operational Auxiliarist, program is an advanced training program available only to members of the Coast Guard Auxiliary. An AUXOP member has completed the following six advanced specialty courses and is entitled to wear the special AUXOP device on the uniform.

The AUXOP member represents the most highly trained Auxiliarist and is the "PhD." Individuals who have completed the AUXOP program are indeed experts in Auxiliary operations. They have little difficulty in completing the requirements of the Boat Crew program, and are well qualified to participate in the public education program.

The Director of Auxiliary controls the examinations for the AUXOP Specialties. All of the examinations are closed-book, with a passing score of 75%.

An Auxiliarists who qualifies as a Seamanship specialist is a particularly valuable asset in Auxiliary operations as knowledge of vessels and proficiency in their operation is a major Auxiliary interest. An Auxiliarists who has qualified as a Seamanship specialists has extensive knowledge of vessels and their propulsion systems as well as detailed information on how vessels are constructed, founded and operated. The successful candidate will understand marine engines, know how to perform minor repairs, will have knowledge on how the vessel must be handled in normal and heavy weather, will know how to approach distress situations, will be able to perform emergency repairs to a vessel, will understand basic navigation, will know how to anchor properly and how to get under way, and will be knowledgeable of the duties and manners relating to vessel operation. These attributes, when combined with the studies and practical training of the Boat Crew program, will make the member a competent and reliable member of an Auxiliary vessel crew whether for recreational activities or serious Auxiliary missions.

The AUXSEA course is designed to be taught in Five two-hour sessions, covered in ten chapters (including the applicable sections of CHAPMANS)

Applicability of AUXSEA Specialty - Possessing the AUXSEA Specialty designation has a number of uses with the Coast Guard Auxiliary. First, it is an essential part of the AUXOP program. AUXSEA is intended to provide a major body of knowledge that is essential to the operation of any vessel. Second, AUXSEA provides important knowledge and skills on vessels and vessel operations that an instructor must know to teach, effectively, both power and sail Public Education classes. Third, and the most important, the knowledge gained from the AUXSEA course will make the Auxiliarist a better, safer, and far more effective mariner--critical attributes for all kinds of boating but particularly for service as a crew member or coxswain of an operational Auxiliary vessel facility assigned any of the various mission in support of the Coast Guard.

An Auxiliarist who is qualified as a Navigation Specialist is a genuine asset to the Auxiliary operations activities. This individual knows where their vessel is at any given time and keeps it from danger. The Navigation Specialist can develop the commence search point for a search and rescue mission, given only the geographic or radio coordinates of the point, and is able to sail familiar and strange waters with confidence and safety. The AUXNAV course embraces two basic concepts, location and direction, and three basic disciplines, dead reckoning, piloting, and electronic navigation.

The AUXNAV course is designed to be taught in 16 two-hour sessions, covering 11 of the twelve chapters in the student text that constitute the A, or theoretical part of the course, and five of the six sections of Annex I, The Cruise Problem (also included in the text), that constitutes the B, or practical part.

APPLICABILITY OF AUXNAV SPECIALTY - Possessing the AUXNAV Specialty designation has several uses within the Coast Guard Auxiliary. First, it is an essential part of the AUXOP program. The ability to navigate is essential to support the Auxiliary Operations program on the surface and in the air. Second, a Navigation Specialist possesses the essential knowledge and skills for participation in the Public Education program, teaching piloting in the basic courses and the navigation in the more advanced Basic Coastal Navigation and Advanced Coastal Navigation courses.

AUXCOM, the Auxiliary Communications Specialty, is one of the few specialties cited as a requirement for other Auxiliary activities. Specifically AUXCOM is a requirement for ownership of an Auxiliary Fixed Land, Land Mobile, or DF Radio Facility. It is also required by Communications Officers who conduct radio facility inspections. In many parts of the nation, AUXCOM is an entry level requirement for communications watchstander training at Coast Guard units. The Communications Specialist has a broad knowledge of the principles underlying communications systems in use by both the Coast Guard and the Auxiliary. This training is at a level higher than that provided in the Boat Crew or Air qualification programs. The course provides administrative, technical and operational foundations in VHF-FM and Single Sideband marine radio, radio repeater systems, and direction finding, as well as solid grounding in the FCC regulations and current policies governing Auxiliarists when they are operating as Government stations. Although the course can be self-taught, it is best presented by experienced communications personnel who are familiar with any special District and local interpretations of the material.

The AUXCOM Course - the recommended course structure is five two hour sessions followed by the 72 question examination, which is closed book, multiple choice.

APPLICABILITY OF AUXCOM SPECIALTY - Communications Specialists are the core group within the Auxiliary who own and operate Land, Mobile, and DF stations and provide the pool from which Communications Officers are normally chosen at all levels. They are generally the best qualified members to instruct at Public Education radiotelephone classes and at local Communications seminars. The AUXCOM Specialist is especially desired as a candidate for watchstanding at Coast Guard units. At area special events and in SAR exercises, the AUXCOM Specialists provide, set up, and operate the various communications centers and facilities. In times of emergency they augment both Coast Guard and local civil agencies in maintaining area communications. Auxiliary mobile communications units are often utilized to conduct harbor searches, provide surfline and beach transportation, and perform scheduled mobile patrols to complement patrol vessels or aircraft. Those facilities equipped with radio direction finding equipment are assigned to special missions such as location of emergency beacons, interfering stations, and hoax distress calls. Many Communications Specialists are also licensed Amateur Radio operators, and these "hams" are welcomed and will find practical applications of their considerable knowledge within the Auxiliary

An Auxiliarist who is qualified as a Search and Rescue Specialist is a genuine asset to the Auxiliary operations activities. The AUXSAR Specialty Course is designed to present the Auxiliarist with a thorough understanding of the policy, organization, and procedures involved in the search and rescue process as generally practiced by the U. S. Coast Guard. It prepares the Auxiliarist to assist the Coast Guard in a safe and prudent manner.

The safety of both the towing and towed vessels and their crews is of utmost importance throughout this course. The AUXSAR student learns how to calculate the power (RPM) limits when towing to avoid engine damage, how to determine maximum safe towing speeds for different vessels under existing sea conditions, and how to reduce towing strains by adjusting tow line length, or modifying course direction or other actions.

The AUXSAR Specialists are aware of the overall structure of the search and rescue organization. They are able to plan search operations. A comprehensive knowledge of search and rescue operations and an understanding of towing principles, tow line properties, and recognition of the effects of sea state are necessary to ensure a safe and successful search and rescue.

The AUXSAR course is designed to be taught by a qualified instructor in six two-hour sessions. A seventh session will be required for testing. The course is structured as follows:

APPLICABILITY OF AUXSAR SPECIALTY - Possessing the AUXSAR Specialty designation has several uses within the Coast Guard Auxiliary. First, it is an essential part of the AUXOP program. AUXSAR is intended to support the Auxiliary Operations program, on both the surface and in the air. Second, AUXSAR provides essential knowledge and skills which enable the individual to assist the United States Coast Guard in rescue cases to save both lives and property while minimizing possible damage to the vessel being towed, the towing vessel, or its engine. Third, and most important, the knowledge gained from AUXSAR makes the individual a better, and safer, mariner. Remember, the Sea yields to knowledge...the kind of knowledge the AUXSAR Specialist has!

An Auxiliarist who is qualified as a Patrols Specialist is a genuine asset to the Auxiliary operations activities. This individual fully understands the complete spectrum of operational patrol activities both on the water and in the air, such as, Safety Patrol, Search and Rescue (SAR), Regattas spectator safety control (powerboat race, sailboat race, rowing race, etc.), Chart Updating/Aids to Navigation Patrols, to name a few. Practical knowledge achieved by the Auxiliary Patrol Specialist graduate, whether on the high seas, the coastal areas, lakes and rivers, or local reservoirs engenders a keen awareness of, and response to, emergency situations, without jeopardizing the crew and facility.

The AUXPAT course is designed to be taught in five two-hour sessions, covering in five lessons, the five chapters in the Student Study Guide.

APPLICABILITY OF AUXPAT SPECIALTY - Possessing the AUXPAT Specialty designation has several uses within the Coast Guard Auxiliary. First, it is an essential part of the AUXOP program. AUXPAT directly supports the Auxiliary Operations program, both on the waters and in the air. Second, AUXPAT provides essential knowledge and skills, achieved through in-class practical demonstrations, enables the Auxiliary Specialist to effectively participate in the multiple Auxiliary Operations programs. Third, and most important, the knowledge gained from AUXPAT makes the individual a better, and safer, mariner. Remember, the Sea yields to knowledge...the kind of knowledge the AUXPAT Specialist has!

An Auxiliarist who is qualified as a Weather Specialist is a genuine asset to the Auxiliary operations activities. This individual understands the weather, its importance in the marine environment, and to the conduct of safe and effective operations. The AUXWEA Specialist is able to make accurate and valuable short range (several hours) weather forecasts to enable crewmates to avoid dangerous weather conditions while performing on their patrol activities. Long range (two or more days) forecasts are also developed to assist in planning operations activities. The Auxiliary Weather Specialist develops a keen sense of weather processes, including those which have an element of danger: the thunderstorm, the squall line, fog, tornadoes, and other severe phenomena. A comprehensive knowledge of weather processes and effects is essential to the competent mariner, whether on the high seas, the coastal areas, lakes and rivers, or local reservoirs.

The AUXWEA course is designed to be taught in six two-hour sessions, covering in five lessons, the twelve chapters in the student text:

APPLICABILITY OF AUXWEA SPECIALTY - Possessing the AUXWEA Specialty designation has several uses within the Coast Guard Auxiliary. First, it is an essential part of the AUXOP program. AUXWEA is intended to support the Auxiliary Operations program, on both the surface and in the air. Second, AUXWEA provides essential knowledge and skills which enable the individual to participate in the Auxiliary Public Education program, teaching the weather portions of the public education courses. Third, and most important, the knowledge gained from AUXWEA makes the individual a better, and safer, mariner. Remember, the Sea yields to knowledge...the kind of knowledge the AUXWEA Specialist has!