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Coast Guard Auxiliary and Homeland Security
Capt Lou wrote:
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? No, not in this particular area. I will say that I've never yet heard of an Auxiliarist being nicked over a haircut. We have Auxiliarists with long hair, and full, shaggy beard. I'm thinking there may be more details to that story. ...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. ... ... What about the auxiliarist who has been volunteering for the past 15 or 20 years? Is he or she a security threat? The role of the Auxiliary has been evolving substantially since about '95 -- long before the precipitating terrorist attacks. The attacks and the resulting war have, naturally, served to accelerate the process, and the CG now wants the Aux to play a larger, more involved role. Those Auxiliarists working directly with the active CG on issues where security may be a concern [operational and security patrols, watchstanding, comm center, crewing on CG vessels, etc.] must be properly cleared. Long term members clearly have been no risk in the past, but all members of the integrated team must work by the same standards. We get the same scrutiny as active duty CG. 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! Maybe so, although 60% sounds suspiciously high to me. Leaving the Auxiliary has always been an open option for Auxiliarists. There is no contract, or "term of enlistment". The CG has anticipated in their planning that a certain number of Auxiliarists will not care to be involved with background checks and other associated security issues for personal reasons. Its an unfortunate side-effect of necessary changes. These Auxiliarists always have the option of directing their efforts to traditional, non-operational CGAux activities such as teaching Public Education courses (which I also do), Vessel Safety Checks, etc. Regards, John Gaquin Flot 0502, 1NR |
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Coast Guard Auxiliary and Homeland Security
Hello John,
Most of the Aux members are already in the 60% group. I don't plan any deck crew or coxwain activities anytime soon, as I have several ruptured discs. But I am always happy to do what little I can. I am a VE and working toward an instructor certificate. I also make cupcakes and cookies for the flotilla meetings. I am hoping that surgery will correct my back injuries enough to resume a more active role soon. Greetings from 07-14-08 http://www.uscgaux.org/~0701408/ Capt. Frank, RO,USCG-A www.home.earthlink.net/~aartworks John Gaquin wrote: Capt Lou wrote: 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? No, not in this particular area. I will say that I've never yet heard of an Auxiliarist being nicked over a haircut. We have Auxiliarists with long hair, and full, shaggy beard. I'm thinking there may be more details to that story. ...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. ... ... What about the auxiliarist who has been volunteering for the past 15 or 20 years? Is he or she a security threat? The role of the Auxiliary has been evolving substantially since about '95 -- long before the precipitating terrorist attacks. The attacks and the resulting war have, naturally, served to accelerate the process, and the CG now wants the Aux to play a larger, more involved role. Those Auxiliarists working directly with the active CG on issues where security may be a concern [operational and security patrols, watchstanding, comm center, crewing on CG vessels, etc.] must be properly cleared. Long term members clearly have been no risk in the past, but all members of the integrated team must work by the same standards. We get the same scrutiny as active duty CG. 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! Maybe so, although 60% sounds suspiciously high to me. Leaving the Auxiliary has always been an open option for Auxiliarists. There is no contract, or "term of enlistment". The CG has anticipated in their planning that a certain number of Auxiliarists will not care to be involved with background checks and other associated security issues for personal reasons. Its an unfortunate side-effect of necessary changes. These Auxiliarists always have the option of directing their efforts to traditional, non-operational CGAux activities such as teaching Public Education courses (which I also do), Vessel Safety Checks, etc. Regards, John Gaquin Flot 0502, 1NR |
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