Updated: 07/04/06

Specialty	Description
Auxiliary Navigation (AuxNav)	An Auxiliarist who is qualified as a Navigation Specialist is a genuine asset to the Auxiliary operations activities.  This individual knows where their vessel is at an given time and keeps it from danger.  The Navigation Specialist is also well prepared to participate in our Public Education program, teaching the piloting portion of our basic courses and participating in the Basic Costal Navigation (BCN) and Advanced Coastal Navigation (ACN) courses.
Auxilary Seamanship (AuxSea)	The AuxSea Specialist is a particularly valuable asset in Auxiliary operations as knowledge of vessels and proficiency in their operation is a major Auxiliary interest.  An AuxSea Specialist has extensive knowledge of vessels and their propulsion systems as well as detailed information on how vessels are constructed, founded, and operated.  The AuxSea Specialist understand marine engines, knows how to perform minor repairs, is knowledgable on vessel handling in normal and heavy weather, and how to approach distress situations.  These attributes, when combined with the studies and practical training of the Boat Crew program, will make the member a competent and reliable crew member of an Auxiliary vessel.
Auxiliary Weather (AuxWea)	The AuxWea Specialist has a thorough knowledge of weather, its importance in the marine environment, and the conduct of safe and effective operations.  An AuxSea Specialist is able to make accurate and valuable short range (several hours) weather forcasts to enable crew mates to avoid dangerous weather conditions while performing their patrol activities in addition to long range (several days) forcasts to assist in planning operation activities.  AuxSea Specialists develop a keen sense of weather processes, including those which have an element of danger:  the thunderstorm, the squall line, fog, tornadoes, and other severe phenomena.
Auxiliary Search and Rescue (AuxSAR)	An AuxSAR Specialist is well qualified in search and rescue and an asset to the Auxiliary operations activities.  The AuxSAR training is designed to present a thorough understanding in the search and rescue process as generally practiced by the U. S. Coast Guard.  The AuxSAR Specialist is aware of the overall structure of the search and rescue organization, is able to plan search operations, and has an understanding of towing principles, towline properaties, and recognition of the effects of sea state, to ensure a safe and successful search and rescue.
Auxiliary Communications (AuxCom)	The AuxCom Specialty is one of the few specialties cited as a requirement for other Auxiliary activities:  ownership of an Auxiliary Fix Land, Land Mobile, or Direction Finding Radio Facility.  It is also required by Communications Officers who conduct radio faciilty inspections.  AuxCom is also the entry level requirement for communications training at Coast Guard units.
Auxiliary Patrol (AuxPat)	The AuxPat Specialist is another genuine asset to the Auxiliary Operations Activities.  This individual fully understands the complete spectrum of operational patrol activities both on the water and in the air, such as:  Safety Patrol, Search and Rescue (SAR), Regattas spectator safety control, Chart Updating/Aids to Navigation Patrols, to name a few.  Practical knowledge achieved by the AuxPat Specialist engenders a keen awareness of, and response to, emergency situations without jeopardizing the crew and facility.