Coast Guard Auxiliary conference Feb. 25-27

Richmond, Va. (February 7, 2011) -- The U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary 5^th District Winter Conference is scheduled for February 25-27 at the Hilton Richmond Hotel and Spa in Richmond, Virginia. The deadline for making reservations is Thursday, February 10.
The event offers a full array of activities, from meetings and
training sessions to a Friday-night barbecue with live bluegrass music and a Saturday-night banquet.
Complete information and registration forms are available at http://www.uscga5sr.com// The United States Coast Guard Auxiliary was established on June 23, 1939 by an act of Congress as the United States Coast Guard Reserve and re-designated as the Auxiliary on February 19, 1941. The Auxiliary is an incorporated, civilian volunteer component of the United States Coast Guard ("USCG").
The Congressional mandates state that the Auxiliary supports all USCG missions, but is not permitted to directly engage in either law enforcement activities or military combat operations. The support provided by the Auxiliary in these situations can be administrative and it can be in areas that make available, either active or reserve members of the USCG. Once available, the Active or Reserve member is able to function in these two restricted areas. As of July 2009, there were approximately 29,000 active Auxiliarists.
As a volunteer, an Auxiliarist is not paid a salary and participates in activities at her or his own discretion. Auxiliarists may be reimbursed for expenses incurred when they are under orders from the Commandant. Unlike the active duty and reserve components of the USCG, Auxiliarists are not subject to the Uniform Code of Military Justice.
Auxiliarists who own a boat, aircraft or radio station (amateur or marine band VHF sets) often use their equipment (i.e., "vessels") on behalf of the USCG and are reimbursed for expenses incurred while under mission orders, although membership does not require ownership of a vessel. An Auxiliarist can also serve on a USCG asset once they have obtained proper training. When under orders, the member is recognized as a Federal employee and any approved vessels are recognized as property of the U.S. government. Members use previously-acquired skills and skills obtained via approved training. Examples of previously-acquired skills include carpentry, cooking, radio repair, engine repair, and maintenance, as well as professional skills such as medical, legal and computer skills.