Presentation of the Colors

Following the presentation of the colors and invocation, National Commodore Bill Edgerton formally opened the conference and introduced the prominent attendees. These included members of the National Executive Board (NEXCOM) and the District Commodores, Vice Commodores and Directors of Auxiliary.

Commodore Edgerton offered his remarks, saying in part, "The Auxiliary is aiming to increase its membership to 40,000 by the end of 2004 and seeking to increase multi-lesson public education courses by 10%, vessel examiners by 10% and vessel safety checks by 20% in the same time period."

Commodore Edgerton then introduced Rear Admiral Sally Brice-O'Hara, Director of Coast Guard Personnel Management. "The Auxiliary is firmly a part of the workforce I have relied on," said Admiral Brice-O'Hara. "I cannot thank the Auxiliary enough for its participation and contribution."

She added, "The Commandant has asked us to concentrate on operational excellence, which we can maintain by focusing on our readiness, people, and stewardship."

"The Auxiliary has contributed extensively at the (CG) Academy Leadership Development Center (LDC). As a result, we have been able to provide more leadership training to members of the Coast Guard and Auxiliary. This is a great example of the Auxiliary working as a force multiplier for the LDC. Six Auxiliarists are now fully qualified to teach the Leadership and Management course, five more are in training, and three more helped with the senior leadership schools. Auxiliary analysts are helping update and revise the classes on an ongoing basis," she said.

Swearing in ceremony

Continuing, the Admiral said, "Auxiliarists are also helping us with the CSPI (sea-spy) program, in which we identify college students who will enroll in our officer candidate school on completion of their undergraduate university education. We provide the students with some financial help and training between their sophomore, junior, and senior years of college. We couldn't do this without the two Auxiliarists who helped teach these students nautical science and navigation. When we had difficulty coming up with a vessel for the underway portion of the training, the Auxiliary was there to help by providing a suitable platform."

"Auxiliarists help us at all of the training centers, at Cape May, Yorktown, and Petaluma. At Yorktown, they help teach maritime search and rescue, CPR, first aid, towing, and coxswain training. Additionally, five Auxiliarists sponsored international students, opening up their homes and sharing the American cultural experience in addition to the educational experience with these students. This is international diplomacy at its best," said the Admiral.

"At Cape May, Auxiliarists helped teach boat crew and terminology and assisted with the students' personal finances, teaching them how to manage credit cards, balance checkbooks, and other skills which will serve them in life," she said.

"The Coast Guard will be providing many new resources in electronic learning, so that we can deliver training wherever and whenever it is needed. Forty training rooms will be established at existing Coast Guard facilities. These will be distance-learning centers, equipped with broadband Internet and other technological tools. These facilities will be available to Auxiliarists, along with other existing electronic learning tools," said Admiral Brice-O'Hara.

Captain David Hill, Chief Director of Auxiliary, followed and added his welcome to the Admiral's. "The Auxiliary will be the lead volunteer organization in the new Department of Homeland Security," he said.

He reiterated the Commandant's ALCOAST message on operational excellence. "There is now a clear and present recognition that the Auxiliary is a part of 'Coast Guard Forces' and that it is absolutely critical to the success of the Coast Guard."

"We are equipped to provide surge operations support, from BRAVO SAR operations through low risk augmentation. No one else knows our nation's waterways as well as our Auxiliarists. We will need to maintain our core competencies, strong recreation boating safety programs, a strong Trident program, as well as Auxiliary Air operations, said Captain Hill.

Captain Hill proceeded to present a number of individual awards and to swear in the National Staff. It is always interesting to note that the wording used during the ceremony is the same wording used at every unit level of the Auxiliary, the Flotilla, Division, District and National.

The awards and those who received the awards will be featured in a separate N-Train article.