Initial Qualification requirements "IQ" and Basic Qualification requirements "BQ"

The steps required to become an Auxiliary member are the requirements to achieve Initial Qualification. The applicant: must meet the general requirements for membership age, citizenship and so on; he/she has several forms to complete (this is critical); the applicant must pass the entrance exam; and last but most time consuming she/he must meet the standards for the background check. The only additional requirement to achieve Basic Qualification is to complete a qualifying safe boating course such as the America's Boating Course.

New Auxiliary members are required to have a general knowledge of the organization. The entrance Exam Study Guide and New Member Reference Guide will provide all the information the candidate will need. 

On April 21, 2006 the Chief Director of Auxiliary issued ALCOAST CHANGE TO AUXILIARY PSI POLICY 011/06, which reduced the required level of background check for the vast majority of Member who have Direct Operational status; to the same background check as Members who serve in Operational Support roles.

The application process and how you can participate while waiting for completion of your background check.

Uniforms, what would be useful to a new member and where to get what you need.

The standard U.S.C.G Auxiliary uniform is the Tropical Long Uniform. It is very versatile, and is therefore authorized for both summer and winter use. The main components (pants, shirt, belt, hat and shoes) are available from the U.S.C.G Uniform Distribution Center; the emblems, shoulder boards and name tag can be ordered from the First District Store. While both the Combination and the Garrison cap are authorized, most of the Lake George Flotilla members use the Combination cap. The Wooly-Pully sweater and the Windbreaker Jacket (both available from the Uniform Distribution Center) make the Tropical Long Uniform comfortable for a New York winter.  A word of warning, the uniforms are sized for an "athletic fit", if you need a normal or larger fit, you will need a larger size (as an example I normally use a 16 inch neck shirt, but my "normal" as apposed to "athletic" sized torso required a 17 inch neck size uniform shirt). Also note that the Wooly-Pully is an "athletic fit", but the also authorized Cardigan Sweater is a more "normal" fit. The Cardigan is available at the District Store (see above link).

If/when you decide to become involved in operations you will need an Operational Dress Uniform (ODU). Again the main items (plus the U.S.C.G Auxiliary and your name tapes) are available at the Uniform Distribution Center and the ball cap and emblems are available at the District Store (see the above links). The good news is that the ODU is cut to a more comfortable fit, and your normal size should work fine.