In 1939, Congress established "United States Coast Guard Reserve" administered by the Commandant and composed of unpaid, volunteer U.S. citizens who owned motorboats or yachts. In 1941, Congress created a military reserve and renamed the original volunteer reserve as the "Coast Guard Auxiliary". The Coast Guard Auxiliary" directly supports the Coast Guard in all of its missions except military and law enforcement actions.

The purpose of the Auxiliary is to assist the Coast Guard:

• to promote safety and to effect rescues on and over the high seas and on navigable water.
• to promote efficiency in the operation of the motorboats and yachts.
• to foster a wider knowledge of, and better compliance with, the law, rules, and regulations governing the operation of motorboats and yachts.
• to facilitate other operations of the Coast Guard.

Over 31,000 volunteer Auxiliarists, nation-wide, actively patrol our waterways and regularly meet with the boating public at marinas and in classrooms. Auxiliarists also serve side-by-side with active duty member of the Coast Guard team at their stations and in times of the disaster.