Welcome to the National Commodore's website. This site is intended to communicate the National Commodore's vision for the present and future of the Coast Guard Auxiliary.

Vision, Mission and Strategic Imperatives (Posted 12APR2009)

National Commodore's Vision Statement: The Coast Guard Auxiliary will continue to meet America's changing maritime safety and security challenges, through a balanced allocation of resources towards our recreational boating safety and maritime domain awareness missions.

The Mission of the US Coast Guard Auxiliary: The mission of the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary is to contribute to the safety and security of our citizens, ports, waterways and coastal regions, as directed by the United States Coast Guard. We will balance our missions in Recreational Boating Safety, Coast Guard Support with Maritime Homeland Security and other challenges that emerge as a result of our growing understanding of changes required in the post-9/11 era. ...read more

...download the PDF and read the NACO's strategic imperatives here

February 2009 Report to the Commandant (Posted 12APR2009)

December 2008 Report to the Commandant (Posted 03MAR2009)

2009 National Calendar (Posted 12DEC08) Link

Scenario-Planning Workshop (Posted 17OCT08)

"The United States Coast Guard Auxiliary should seek out both private and government partnerships, explore alternative funding sources and leverage virtual technology in order to remain a viable and sustainable organization."

Those and other core action strategies are the recommendations of 60 Auxiliary senior and executive leaders who participated in a scenario-planning workshop, Meltdown, in August 2008.

 

Disaster Relief Fund in Wake of Helicopter Tragedy
(Posted 08SEP2008)

The Coast Guard Foundation, a non-profit organization committed to the education, welfare and morale of all Coast Guard members and their families, announced today that it has established an emergency Family Disaster Relief Fund. In response to Thursday’s tragedy off the coast of Honolulu, the Coast Guard Foundation is asking for financial support to assist the families of the lost crew of the Coast Guard HH-65 Dolphin rescue helicopter. See the announcement here. Visit the Coast Guard Foundation site here.

 

National Search & Rescue (NSAR) Competition

(Updated 07SEP08)

 

The 2008 National Search and Rescue Competition will be held in Cape May, New Jersey on October 3-4, 2008. Visit the NSAR website for updated important details on the competition.

 

Auxiliary Modernization Plan Presentation (Posted 03SEP2008)

This presentation details the reasoning and the principles behind the Coast Guard Auxiliary reorganization to align with the changes in the Coast Guard structure.

 

August 2008 Commandant Report (Posted 01SEP2008)

 

Letter to the Membership on Hurricane Gustav [PDF version]

(Posted 01SEP08)

As we watch the progress of hurricane Gustav across the gulf, we are reminded of the devastation from hurricane Katrina only a few years ago. There were many lessons learned from hurricane Katrina by the Auxiliary. One of the first was that as auxiliarists our primary role is not as a first responder but rather to be ready to assist our local Coast Guard units should they need us to fill in when active duty personnel and assets are deployed to the disaster area.

 

Our training and abilities as Coast Guard Auxiliarists are excellent and our role is always to take direction from the Coast Guard. We are there to do what they need when they need it. If they have specific needs that we can fill, they will direct that request to your District Commodore.

 

While our thought and prayers remain with the people that will be affected by this storm we also need to review our own readiness during times of disaster. I urge all auxiliarists to take this opportunity to review your local disaster plans within your flotillas, divisions and districts. Your District Commodore and Auxiliary Sector Coordinator will be in close contact with the Sectors in your area to ensure that if the Coast Guard has a need for auxiliary personnel and resources that appropriate actions will be taken.

 

I thank each of your for your service and dedication; the work that you do as auxiliarists makes a world of difference to the Coast Guard and America’s boaters. Please keep prepared, aware and safe .

 

Semper Paratus

Steven M. Budar

National Commodore

 

1st Quarter 2008 Commandant Report (Posted 18MAY2008)

This quarterly brief presents two topics in the Projects and Critical Issues categories that either require added attention and emphasis or are tracking on course at this time. The first item Coast Guard Auxiliary modernization was discussed in the most recent flag conference. The second item addresses the longer term Auxiliary Information Systems requirements. Following the discussion of critical issues is a section on Accomplishments and Initiatives that draws items of interest from activities in experienced by field units. Finally, The Course Ahead outlines the directions and efforts of the National Staff Directorates.

 

NACO report to the Commandant, February 2008 (Posted 28FEB08)

This month's Report to the Commandant highlights Auxiliary events and people during the Month of February, 2008.

 

NACO announces new NADCO-RBS, DC-A (Posted 06JAN08)
The National Commodore takes pride in announcing the appointment of Mr. Ed Sweeney as National Directorate Commodore for Recreational Boating Safety (NADCO-RBS), effective immediately. Sweeney previously served as the Department Chief for Public Affairs leading the public affairs initiative for the US Coast Guard Auxiliary through out the country since November 2006. Ed also has extensive RBS experience; he is a qualified Vessel Examiner, RBS Program Visitor, and Instructor, and has earned the new RBS device. He also has extensive experience working with our RBS partners and has received numerous awards from the Coast Guard Auxiliary and the RBS community.

In addition, Mr. Robert Nelson is appointed as Department Chief, Public Affairs (DC-A). Nelson has extensive experience in the department most recently as deputy to the Department Chief. Nelson started his Public Affairs career as an FSO-PA and served in all leadership positions at district and at National up to current appointment as Department Chief.

 

NACO’s Holiday Message (Posted 12DEC07)

This Holiday season we gather with our friends and family to share good wishes and celebrate the significance of this special time of year. The friendships we have developed take on added meaning during the holidays, and it is a pleasure to send cards and gifts to those who hold a special place in our lives. It is also a time to pause and remember the men and women of our armed forces who are away from their families as they serve in defense of our nation. Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers for a safe return home.

Thank you for the time and effort you give to our Coast Guard and for being part of this wonderful family we call the Coast Guard Auxiliary. Your efforts and dedication carry the spirit of this holiday season all throughout the year.

We volunteer to serve in the Coast Guard Auxiliary for many different reasons; ultimately, we derive the satisfaction of a job well done as we serve our fellow citizens on the water, in the air, in the classrooms, on the docks, and even in cyberspace. We enjoy the unique challenges of recruiting, mentoring and fellowship with the finest volunteers in America.

The success and challenges of this year are behind us, and while I pause to be thankful for all that has been provided to us, I am ever mindful of the wonderful opportunity the new year brings. This week the annual Coast Guard Ball in Washington DC is in honor of the volunteers of the US Coast Guard Auxiliary. This prestigious event in our Nation’s Capital brings a fantastic focus to the incredible contribution our Auxiliarists make to the safety and security of America’s, ports and waterways.

My wife Mary Kay and I extend our Aloha and most heartfelt wishes to you and your family for a safe and happy holiday.

Steve Budar
National Commodore
 

PDF Version

 

The National Commodore requests nominations for the Charles S. Greenoff Inspirational Leadership Award (Posted 08OCT07)

The Charles S. Greanoff Inspirational Leadership Award recognizes the most exemplary performance by a Flotilla Commander during the previous calendar year. Only those Flotilla Commanders who demonstrated sustained, exceptional standards of proficiency and conduct, and whose appearance and bearing were consistently impeccable, shall be considered for nomination. This award parallels the other Coast Guard Inspirational Leadership Awards: Captain John G. Whitherspoon Inspirational Leadership Award for Active Duty and Reserve Officers, the George R. Putnam Inspirational Leadership Award for Civilians, and the MCPO Angela M. McShan Inspirational Leadership Award for Active Duty or Reserve Chief Petty Officers (E-7). The recipient’s tenure shall extend from 1 January to 31 December of the year selected.

Nomination packages must originate at the Flotilla level and can be submitted by any member directly to the Division Captain. The package should be forwarded electronically. Packages should adhere to the minimum requirements prescribed by the sample format in the Appendix. The Division Captain must submit the Division's selection to the District Commodore by 1 November.


A full discussion of the award criteria and submission procedure follows.

Eligibility Criteria

Nominees for this Auxiliary Leadership Award must meet the following criteria:

 

 

GREENOFF INSPIRATIONAL AWARD:

a. Nomination packages must originate at the Flotilla level and can be submitted by any member directly to the Division Captain. The package should be forwarded electronically. Packages should adhere to the minimum requirements prescribed by the sample format in the Appendix. The Division Captain must submit the Division's selection to the District Commodore by 1 November.

b. The district/regional EXCOM must validate all nomination packages and determine which nomination to forward. The DCO shall endorse and forward only one Leadership Award nomination from the district/region to the respective ARCO by 1 December.

c. Upon review of all packages, each ARCO shall endorse and forward only one nomination for the area to NACO and NAVCO for review by 1 January.

d. NACO shall submit the three nomination packages to CG-542 by 10 January.

e. CG-542 shall review and forward the three nomination packages to CG-133 by 15 January.

f. The Coast Guard shall convene a selection committee consisting of one O6 (Captain), one E9 (Master Chief), one Civilian and one Auxiliary Commodore. The final nominee will be selected in February.


Recognition

The recipient of the Inspirational Leadership Award shall receive the following recognition:

Announcement of award by ALCOAST and ALAUX message.

Award presentation will take place at a ceremony in Washington, DC during the Commandant's State of the Coast Guard address (February), in conjunction with the Whitherspoon, McShan and Putnam Inspirational Leadership Awards. A trophy will be presented.

Travel, lodging and per diem expenses for the recipient and guest will be covered by orders which shall be issued by G-133.

Recommendation for the Auxiliary Commendation Medal to be submitted by NAVCO.

An article and photo will be published in the Coast Guard’s Leadership News and The Navigator.

The Greanoff Inspirational Leadership Award recipient may be requested, with NACO concurrence, to represent the Auxiliary at other official functions and ceremonies during their tenure.

Background on Commodore Charles S. Greanoff:

Mr. Greanoff first became affiliated with the Coast Guard in 1943. He was released from the Army that year under the Sullivan Act, and immediately signed up with the U.S. Coast Guard Temporary Reserve and the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary (both entities were one in the same at that time) on August 23rd, 1943. He became part of District 9 Flotilla 7-03, a port security unit responsible for protecting the Port of Cleveland, the Cuyahoga River and the city's bridges. After the war Mr. Greanoff continued his active participation in the new Coast Guard Auxiliary and soon became Flotilla Commander in 1950. He quickly rose through the ranks of the Auxiliary; first holding the position of Division Captain in 1953, Ninth District Commodore in 1956-57 and achieving the Auxiliary's highest position of National Commodore in 1958-59. As National Commodore, Mr. Greanoff traveled the country to support the new missions of the Coast Guard Auxiliary and even testified before Congress on the importance of boating safety regulation. He was instrumental in shaping the Auxiliary into the effective organization it is today. During the next three decades COMO Greanoff continued to accrue thousands of hours of support each year for all the Coast Guard's missions as an active member of the Auxiliary. Commodore Greanoff's affiliation with his most recent duties first began in 1991 with his appointment as assistant to the Ninth CG District Family Programs Administrator. He was a key player in the establishment of the fledgling Work Life program development in D9. In March of 1993 COMO Greanoff was appointed the Ninth District Ombudsman Coordinator, the first Ombudsman Coordinator position created in the Coast Guard, and he continued in that role until 2005. During the last ten years of service as the Ninth District Ombudsman Coordinator Mr. Greanoff trained over 150 district ombudsmen at more than fifty units around the Great Lakes providing guidance, training and support to these important volunteers. COMO Greanoff's spirit of leadership epitomizes the criteria established for the Auxiliary Inspirational Leadership Award, through his 63 years of sustained service, based on the core values of Honor, Respect and Devotion to Duty, and dedicated to the members of the Coast Guard Auxiliary, the Coast Guard and the nation. Past National Commodore Greanoff currently resides in Lakewood, Ohio.



Appendix

Greanoff Inspirational Leadership Award
Nomination Package Format

Date

From: District Commodore

To: NAVCO, Chairman, COMO Charles S. Greanoff Inspirational Leadership Award Selection Committee
Thru: Area Commodore

Subj: COMMODORE CHARLES S. GREANOFF INSPIRATIONAL LEADERSHIP AWARD NOMINATION

Ref: (a) The Coast Guard Auxiliary Manual, COMDTINST M16790.1 series, ch.11

- Nominations shall not exceed three typed pages.
- They must be in MS Word format.
- Include two digital color photos (.jpg); one photo to be full length wearing Tropical Blue Long uniform with combination cap or Auxiliary Blue Blazer outfit with no hat, and one photo to be head and shoulder without combination cap (similar to Auxiliary ID photo).
- Nomination packages shall be submitted via email with this document and both .jpg photos as attachments. An on-line form will be available on the Forms page of the Auxiliary website.

1. The following background information is provided per reference (a):

a. Name: James R. Jones, EMPLID 1234567
b. Unit: XXX-XX-XX
c. Date of enrollment: YY MMM DD
d. Name of spouse and/or children (if applicable)
e. Offices attained: Example
FSO-MT YY MMM DD to YY MMM DD
FC YY MMM DD to YY MMM DD
National Staff BA-XXX YY-MM-DD to present

2. Special projects (describe):

Example: Coordinated a Flotilla Safe Boating Day at the Community Festival
Organized members to host a holiday party for the local CG Station

3. Previous recognition during Auxiliary membership (describe):

Example: Flotilla Auxiliarist of the Year - 2005
Runner up – Division Auxiliarist of the Year - 2005
Letter of Appreciation

4. List and describe any personal Auxiliary awards:

Example:
Auxiliary Commandant Letter of Commendation (2)
Auxiliary Golden Web Award

5. Brief synopsis of significant professional and personal achievements that support nominee's selection:

Example:
Leadership and Management School
Coxswain qualified
Professional Development (career or community related)

6. Narrative of the nominee's outstanding achievements based on specific facts and examples, which clearly show that they were exceptional in accordance with nomination criteria.

Example: Specific examples and supporting information on how the nominee exemplifies the criteria for this leadership award. Nominations should focus on proactive leadership acts that benefit the greater good of the members, flotilla, division, and community, and less on the day-to-day routine activities and management of flotilla activities and resources. Units should consider the prestigious nature of this award and the prospect of the nominee's participation in high visibility initiatives.

7. Community Service:

Community service may address what the Auxiliarist has done for everyone they came into contact with through the Auxiliary, local Coast Guard units, and other organizations.

8. Required Photos.
 

 

August 2007 Report to the Commandant (15SEP07)

The August 2007 NACO report to the Commandant has been added

to the Coast Guard reports page and can be accessed directly here.

 

Reports to the Commandant (04SEP07)

The recent monthly reports to the Commandant have been added to the Coast Guard reports page.

 

Crossing the Bar (09APR07)

The National Commodore announces with regret the death of Commodore Charles S. Greanoff, Past District Commodore – D9E , Past National Commodore 1958-59. Read COMO Greanoff's obituary in the Cleveland Plain Dealer, paying tribute to his life of service. See this notice for information on condolences and remembrances.

 

Coast Guard Mutual Assistance Campaign (16MAR07)

“Helping Each Other” is this year’s Coast Guard Mutual Assistance Campaign theme. COMO Joe Lanz Auxiliary chairman, explains what the program does for members of Coast Guard Forces. Please take a moment and see how you can be a part of this worthy program that supports Auxiliarists and all members of the Coast Guard family in financial need.  Read the letter

 

UPDATE! National Awards list available (31JAN07)

Auxiliary leaders and members, as we near the end of 2006 this is an excellent time to review the progress and accomplishments of the year and recognize those members who have contributed to your Flotilla, Division or District success. A list of National Auxiliary Awards established by the National Board and/or Coast Guard Auxiliary authority other than the National Board (e.g. NEXCOM, NACO) has been prepared. Please review the list to determine which awards of these awards your unit or individual members of your unit may be qualified to receive. Please remember that there is also a full range of Auxiliary and Coast Guard awards detailed in the Auxiliary Manual, Chapter 11 - Auxiliary Recognition/Awards. The awards in the Auxiliary Manual and this list represent great opportunities to recognize unit and individual excellence – such recognition is one our key tools to recruit and retain an effective membership.

NACO’s Holiday Message (18DEC06)

The holiday season is a special time for us to share with our family and friends, Mary Kay and I would like to offer our best wishes from our family to yours for a happy and safe holiday.

At this time of year I like to reflect back on those senior Auxiliarists who were there for me 20 something years ago when I joined the Auxiliary. These mentors helped me through the challenges and frustrations of BQ and boat crew and encouraged me to find the things that I enjoyed doing in the Auxiliary. More importantly, they gave me permission not to feel like I had to do everything, I could be satisfied doing just what I enjoyed and giving as much time as I could afford. It was good advice and kept me involved and serving all these years.

The successes and challenges of 2006 are done and behind us, it is now time to focus on the coming year and what we need to do to make it as successful as possible.


Many of us joined the US Coast Guard Auxiliary to improve our boating skills and to provide some level of service back to our community. Fortunately for us, there are a multitude of opportunities to serve and I encourage you to take full advantage of everything that interests you. Be involved, learn and teach. If you have been in the Auxiliary for a number of years you have amassed a huge amount of information and experience that makes you the perfect mentor for new members in your flotilla. Take a future Commodore under your wing and help them to develop their skills and become a better Auxiliarist.

Thank you for the time and effort you give to our Coast Guard Auxiliary.
I wish you joy, health and happiness in 2007.
 

As they say here in Hawaii, Hauoli Makahiki Hou (Happy New Year)

Steve Budar
National Commodore

 

PDF Version

 

Auxiliary Leadership Guidance Team Announcement (12DEC06)
It is my pleasure to announce the establishment of the Coast Guard Auxiliary Leadership Guidance Team (LGT).

This team will design and implement leadership development training programs for the Coast Guard Auxiliary, working in partnership with the National Department of Training. The LGT will have the responsibility to develop and manage the implementation of a fully integrated curriculum of leadership training from the FC through the DCO. Read more

 

Request for nominations for the New Auxiliarist of the Year Award (08DEC06)

The New Auxiliarist of the Year (NAUXOY) award recognizes the most exemplary performance by an eligible Auxiliarist during the previous calendar year. Only those Auxiliarists who demonstrated sustained, exceptional standards of proficiency and conduct, and whose appearance and bearing were consistently impeccable, shall be considered for nomination. This award parallels the awards for the Coast Guard Enlisted Person of the Year (EPOY) and the Civilian Employee of the Year (CEOY) awards. NAUXOY tenure shall extend from the date of their announcement as NAUXOY until the date of announcement of their successor. Read more...

 

Change of Watch:

On November 2nd 2006 Steven Budar assumed the duties of National Commodore from Gene Seibert at a ceremony at Coast Guard Headquarters.

 

A report on the ceremony and pictures can be found at SITREP: Coast Guard Auxiliary e-zine | NACO's Election Remarks

 

 

 

 

 

 

The following reports, news items and documents were produced under the direction of Past National Commodore Gene Seibert during his term as National Commodore.

 

OnCourse logoFinal log entry: A message to the members (24OCT06)

In a few short days, I will be hauling down my flag as National Commodore and recently, I have had a little more time to be reflective.  I wanted to take this opportunity to share a few thoughts with you about the Coast Guard Auxiliary. 

Read more

 

Read additional past announcements of news items, reports and documents in the archive.