Capt. David B. Hill
Chief, Director of the Auxiliary

Past Chief Director's
The Auxiliary - Volunteer Arm of Coast Guard Forces
from the Winter 2003 Navigator

A REVOLUTION IN AUXILIARY AFFAIRS?

Is a Revolution in Auxiliary Affairs underway? It just might seem so, given the current maritime security environment and the expanding scope of Auxiliary support to Coast Guard missions, when compared to the 64 years of traditional support the Auxiliary has provided. If such a thing were happening, how would we know it? Just what is a Revolution of Auxiliary Affairs?

Lieutenant General Paul K. Van Riper, U.S. Army (Retired) defines a Revolution in Military Affairs as a "phenomenon that occurs when a significant discontinuous increase in military capability is created by the innovative interaction of new technologies, operational concepts, and organizational structure." In the world of military affairs, examples of such dramatic changes in the way military force projection has been planned, organized, and executed have included the development of carrier aviation and ballistic missile submarines. A Revolution in Military Affairs might currently be underway due to the development of new information technologies along with urban warfare.

Might this concept somehow apply to today's Auxiliary? If so, the focus would likely be on new operational concepts and strategies, organizational structures and, most applicable to the Auxiliary, a new sense of purpose by our outstanding, exceptional members - the combination of all which could be viewed as having resulted in a new level of Auxiliary capability. On the Operations side, we have Operation Patriot Readiness and several relatively new and exciting mission support areas, such as marine safety activities, recruiting, and maritime domain awareness. From the program management view, the grand strategy regarding use of our Auxiliary forces is new and far more challenging. Organizationally, the role as the Department of Homeland Security's leading volunteer agency might be or, most likely, become significant. The third factor, our members, is by far the most significant if we indeed are experiencing a Revolution in Auxiliary Affairs. To examine this concept a bit more fully, it may be useful to look at three factors closely: the law, strategy, and our membership.

Let's look at Section 822, Title 14, U. S. Code as it read in 1949.

"The purpose of the Auxiliary is to assist the Coast Guard:

a. To promote safety and to effect rescues on and over the high seas and on navigable waters.
b. To promote efficiency in the operation of motorboats and yachts.
c. To foster a wider knowledge of, and better compliance with, the laws, rules and regulations governing the operation of motorboats and yachts;
d. And to facilitate other operations of the Coast Guard.

In 1996, Section 822, Title 14 was changed completely to read:

"The purpose of the Auxiliary is to assist the Coast Guard as authorized by the Commandant, in performing any Coast Guard function, power, duty, role, mission, or operation authorized by law."

With a change in the statute, the legal change agent was in place for a Revolution in Auxiliary Affairs. While the extent and scope of Auxiliary support to Coast Guard missions was changing even back in 1996, the Auxiliary support "trigger" was cocked and ready for a major event which, as we know, would forever change the United State's maritime security environment. Since that event, the Auxiliary's support has evolved into many operational and administrative mission areas, but the specific focus regarding Homeland Security has been backfill alignment with active duty units in conjunction with maritime security surge operations.

As the Chief Director, my view of a "grand" strategy is fairly straightforward. That is, to increase the capability and capacity of the Auxiliary so a to provide the right and ready volunteer forces to support the full spectrum of Coast Guard missions, with a focus on on-the- water and in-the-air operations. We have several sub-strategies to best position the Auxiliary in support the larger grand strategy. These strategies are primarily in the areas of resourcing (budget), legal issues (legislative change proposals), security (security checks and clearances), operations, and training.

The "grand" strategy also has four key elements:

" Recreational Boating Safety is the Auxiliary's core competency and core mission. The absolute strongest support to the Recreational Boating Safety mission is needed as never before. Preventive Search and Rescue saves lives. Preventive Search and Rescue also creates opportunities for limited Coast Guard active resources to conduct missions other than Search and Rescue, which is extremely valuable with the current maritime security environment.

" Maritime Security operations support is a growing core competency. Alignment with active forces is important for the Coast Guard to carry out maritime security surge operations.

" Support to Marine Safety and Human Resources missions and activities is a growing competency.

" In day-to-day recreational boating safety and operational support, supporting the Maritime Domain Awareness mission, in terms of public outreach initiatives and operational commander reporting is a potential, new and emerging Auxiliary mission.

The final factor regarding a possible Revolution of Auxiliary Affairs is, again, the most important. The members - America's Volunteer Lifesavers - have made all the difference in the world. A declining trend in total membership stopped cold, and we're holding fairly steady at around 37,000. I expect growth to be around the 40,000 mark within two to three years. Member patriotism and dedication have reached new levels and have been displayed as never before. Members have qualified in traditional, operational watches and positions in record numbers. Further, members have volunteered to support the Coast Guard in many new, and non-traditional ways.

Are we experiencing a Revolution in Auxiliary Affairs? I believe we just might be. What does it mean? What will the Auxiliary look and be like in ten years? In fifty? In the near term, I think the Auxiliary's support roles will become much clearer, and fairly quickly. We have made much progress since 11 September 2001. The Auxiliary will always have a traditional flavor, and will always keep Recreational Boating Safety and Search and Rescue at the head of the line. New missions will be in that line and may at times may be near or shift to the head that line. There has never been a better, or more exciting time, to be a member of the U. S. Coast Guard Auxiliary. Thanks to all you volunteers, for all you do. Keep up the great work out there!