Serving Southeastern North Carolina

2009-Q1 Edition of Education Connection now available.
The first quarter 2009 edition of the E-Department’s Education Connection newsletter is now available online at http://cgauxed.org/newsletter.html. This edition features an insight into what one Florida flotilla is doing to promote recruiting through the cooperation of its PE and VE efforts, a look at the fast growing Stand Up Paddleboard sport, a discussion of how digital selective calling (DSC) works and why boaters should embrace the technology, a report on a cooperative liaison that has been formed between an 8CR flotilla and the Red River Army Depot Federal Police, and a thorough look into the problems associated with barnacle growth on recreational boats.

COAST GUARD UNIT BALL CAP CLARIFICATION -011/09

1.  ALAUX 33/08 of 10 November 2008 dealt with several Auxiliary uniform
matters.  One of these involved the wear of ball caps, specifically Coast
Guard unit ball caps.  Section 1.C.2. stated:

    "If an Auxiliarist is authorized to wear a Coast Guard unit ball cap,
such wear shall not extend to activities involving public interaction.  This
is to ensure that an Auxiliarist is not mistaken by the public as an active
member of a Coast Guard unit with commensurate authority.  For example, an
Auxiliarist may not wear a Coast Guard unit ball cap when performing VSCs."

2.  Questions have arisen as to whether or not the conduct of Auxiliary
patrols (e.g. - surface patrols on vessel facilities) constitutes
"...involving public interaction."  The short answer is "Yes, Auxiliary
patrols involve public interaction."  As further clarification, the
following involve public interaction:

    a.  Performance of Vessel Examiner (VE) activities involving Vessel
Safety Checks (VSC) and Commercial Fishing Vessel Safety Exams
(CFVSE).
    b.  Performance of Program Visitor (PV) activities.
    c.  Performance of Instructor (IT) activities.
    d.  Performance of patrol activities (surface, air, shoreside including
missions involving mobile radio facilities).
    e.  Performance of Marine Safety, Security, and Environmental Protection
(MSSEP) activities.
    f.  Performance of public outreach, public affairs, and recruiting
activities.
   
3.  Situations in which a Coast Guard unit ball cap may be worn, if
authorized, include:

    a.  Wear of the cap to, at, and from the unit in the course of providing
the direct support for which it is authorized (appropriate for
commuting, stops for gas, and drive-thru services).
    b.  Wear of the cap to, at, and from flotilla meetings (appropriate for
commuting, stops for gas, and drive-thru services).
    c.  Wear of the cap to, at, and from flotilla fellowship events
(appropriate for commuting, stops for gas, and drive- thru services).

4.  If there is any doubt about the propriety of wearing a Coast Guard unit
ball cap due to potential interaction with the public, then the Auxiliary
ball cap shall be worn.

5.  These guidelines will be included in the next change to the Auxiliary
Manual.

6.  The purpose of this list is to keep Auxiliarists as well as all other
interested parties abreast of current developments, policies, manuals, etc.
All information contained herein and linked is OFFICIAL policy and
information.

7.  Internet Release and Distribution is Authorized.

17 October 2009 Division Meeting Reports

Flotilla Commander & Staff Officer Reports August Meeting

 Pandemic Preparedness Letter