United States Coast Guard Auxiliary 

Flotilla 054-11-03, Gaithersburg, Maryland

"The Flying Flotilla"

Commander's Brief

Come give us a try! We are a group of hard working, dedicated CG Auxiliarists oriented to the Auxiliary Aviation Program. While we work hard, we also try to have enjoyable activities. We meet monthly, the second Wednesday of the month, at the Mongomery County Airport (GAI - Gaithersburg). Contact us for details on attending! This year we'll work on improving how the Flotilla works, focusing on:

• Member involvement
• Goals
• Member training
• Guidance for new members
• Member recognition
• Early, intensive liaison with Atlantic City
• Have more fun!
• Think 'outside the box'

Member involvement.  There are a wealth of opportunities for existing members and new members to participate in the flotilla.  Everyone who wants a job will find at least one waiting.  This year staff officers are encouraged to enlist assistants, and to work with those assistants to ensure that they are trained and able to step into that staff position in the future.

Goals.  First, while every program must show value to the Coast Guard, each must also serve the members.  Each should providing learning opportunities, potential for growth within the Auxiliary, and personal enrichment.  And every program should present the chance to have fun!  Finally, we need better coordination among programs, to build on the economies and synergies between them.

Member training.  This year we have to make a real effort to qualify our new members, review our mission skills and be truly "Semper Paratus" for whatever may occur.  Members need to continue to have the opportunity to take specialty courses and other training not available here with the Division and the District.  Finally, we'll make an effort to qualify members for elective office.

Guidance for new members.  We need to get our new members involved "before the new wears off".  Every new member will have a mentor, a member involvement plan, and a standard New Member packet, including the Auxiliary Manual and other publications and documents.  They will be helped through the PSI process and a Basic Qualification course will be offered, if wanted.  The objective is to get them integrated with the organization as quickly and smoothly as possible.

Better coordination.  Coordination between ourselves within our Flotilla and other parts of the Auxiliary must continue to improve.  Internally, we will work on keeping all our members informed, and continue our success in getting flights scheduled for both observers and trainees.  We have established a phone-tree for passing time-critical information and will continue to test it.  Finally, we will coordinate operations and training with other flotillas.

Atlantic City.  Our relationship with the Air Station is excellent and we must continue to ensure that we are responsive to their needs.

Member recognition.  The only pay we receive as Auxiliarists is recognition of the value of our efforts.  We need to establish a standing awards committee.

Have more fun.  The 'fourth cornerstone of Auxiliary' has always been fellowship, probably dating to the days when the flotilla would rendezvous somewhere and raft their boats together!  This year the Flotilla should organize two or three purely social events.

Think outside the box  While 'the box' may be a buzz word, it is as restricting as any of the other limits we allow society to put on us.  If you have a good idea for improving the Flotilla, from training to operations to social events, please let me know. If you want to participate in area of Auxiliary that our flotilla isn't strong in, there are sources of help within this Division who would be glad to work with us.

Suggestions are welcome!  If you have an idea for improving the Flotilla, from training to operations to social events, please let me know.

     Brad Williams
     Flotilla Commander
     USCG Auxiliary Aviation Flotilla 054-11-03

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