BoatBanter.com - View Single Post - Coast Guard Auxiliary and Homeland Security

(Capt Lou) wrote in message ...
When the Coast Guard was transfered into the Department of Homeland Security,
so was the Coast Guard Auxiliary. Now all auxiliarists have to be
fingerprinted, and if they want to volunteer as crew or for other jobs, they
have to pass a security background and criminal check. I know an auxiliarist
friend of mine who had long hair and was told to cut it. Does anyone feel that
the government is going a little overboard for civilian citizen volunteers?
What about the auxiliarist who has been volunteering for the past 15 or 20
years? Is he or she a security threat? Maybe it is time to consider the U.S.
Power Squadron and tell the USCGAUX enough is enough! I hear that 60% of the
auxiliarists in my division will not submit to the fingerprinting. That's a lot
of dues paying members dropping out!

Interesting. The comments at the 01N District meeting were the
opposite. Fewer than expected were opting out of the security check.
It's also hard to claim this is only Homeland Security. Since I
understand this security check to be the same as required by the CAP.

Now many of our members don't need a background check for the work
they actually do. And yes I doubt any of our 15yr plus members are
terrorists. But what about the newer members? And if we require
security checks for new members are you sure all those before XX/XX/XX
are safe? I don't think the National Bridge can answer that question.
Hence to be safe it is extended to all.

As for personal grooming. The AUXMAN has requirements while wearing
the Uniform. If you don't want to comply with the Aux Grooming
requirements then wear the Blue Blazer. Granted I can't make any
statements about the individual case you mention. But I have not
witnessed any actions concerning people who are otherwise neat in
appearance, but not be to the letter of the manual.