Novel Approach to a Tough Problem

Article by Irene Mattheu, District D5-SR Publications Officer, Kingsville, MD
Photos by Auxiliarist Stanley Hunkovic Sr, Timonium, MD

AUXCOM student workshop.

It really started in 2007 when our communications people at the flotilla and division levels noted that they were having difficulty staffing the Auxiliary “Maxwell Point” radio station located at Aberdeen Proving Grounds, Maryland.

This station's radio watch helps communications coverage of the upper Chesapeake Bay and serves as a contact for Auxiliary patrols in this area. Flotilla 13-6's Commander Rob Hess arranged for a Flotilla meeting to be at the radio station site in March, 2008.

The business meeting was followed by some fellowship, a fried chicken meal and a tour of the radio station. This well designed tactic spurred interest in our flotilla and the district. The tour leapfrogged into the planning and the offering of a communications course.

Instructor Stan Krohl

Stan Krohl the Division 13 communications officer and Auxiliarist Russ Harvey taught a six week AUXCOM (Auxiliary Communications) course in June and July. Seven of the nine Flotilla 13-6 Auxiliarists who took the class took it for the first time while two sat through as a refresher.

All seven people passed the AAUXCOM test, “It was the first time all of the students passed,” said Kroul. “Now we have seven additional Auxiliarists to take radio watch.”

AUXCOM students taking the class were: (first timers) L Conely, L. Michelberger, R. Mattheu, I. Mattheu, S. Hunkovic, Sr, T. Wilson, and J. Zeller; (refresher) W. Zeller and S. Lohoski.

Editor’s note: In a follow-up with the author she stated that some of the AUXCOM students were studying active duty watchstander procedures with the intention of moving up to a communications position at the Coast Guard station.

~HRW