I joined the Coast Guard Auxiliary in 2004 .The original reason I joined was that the Auxiliary was looking for communication radio operators. I am an extra class Amateur radio operator. I was the RACES officer for Manhattan when 9/11 hit us. I was in charge of organizing Amateur Radio operators to cover radio communications for the OEM, Red Cross, and other logistic areas in the city. After 9/11 it was quiet and I wanted to do more. Since the Auxiliary was looking for my kind of skill I signed up. I was appointed several FSO positions, then one day CDR Young volunteered John Howell, John Gallagher, and myself to start a new flotilla in upper Manhattan which became 014-05-11. Eventually I became Flotilla Commander.
I soon learned that the Coast Guard expected the Auxiliary members to learn several skills. Over a few years I acquired several new skills: boat crew, fingerprint tech, VE, MDV, TCO, IT, AUX 2 and AUXFS.
Auxiliary food service interested me as I like to cook and bake at home. We were one of the first classes to train as AUXFS. We cook for Sector New York and Station New York for many of their events.
I use some of the recipes and ideas we do in the galley at home. I enjoy working with the Coast Guard. They are great people to work with. We meet many members from other flotillas and share our own recipes. The work can be demanding sometimes but when we see the finished product it’s well worth it.
John Kiernan
014-05-11
Upper Manhattan, New York