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Volume 114, Issue 2
Message from the Chief of Staff
I joined the Coast Guard Auxiliary the "old fashioned way."Thoughts of buying a
boat motivated my son and me to attend a local BS&S class. We enjoyed it and
learned at lot. At the end, the instructor, Don Coggins (04-09), sat down with us
to tell us what the Auxiliary does for boaters and the US Coast Guard. He also
told us about the free classes and opportunities that would be available to us if we
joined and both of us did.
At first my entire Auxiliary world was my flotilla. It was a fun, active world but, in
hindsight, one that did not expose me to all of the opportunities the Auxiliary had
to offer.
A couple of years after I joined, my flotilla commander, Russell Vreeland asked me
to go to D-Train (same event, different name then) with him. I know that I would
never have decided to go on my own - I really thought the event was just for "big
shots!" We shared a room to keep costs down. Russell gave me advice on training
to take, made sure I met others and that I knew I was welcome at events like the
board meeting.
Thomas J. Dever
District Chief of Staff
U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary
5th District-Northern Region
I left with a broadened and completely changed view of the Auxiliary. I still valued my flotilla but had now been
exposed to very interesting training, programs and people, including for the first time our active duty and Auxiliary
district leadership. Looking back, that weekend gave me the incentive to become more involved - to work toward
new qualifications - and to try new programs. It was the beginning of my increased interest and involvement as a
member.
Motivate one of your flotilla's newer members. Invite them to go with you to District 5NR's Fall D-Train on 8-10
September. Maybe your division or flotilla can help them with the costs. Either way, you will show them you
value them and you will encourage them. With all of the demands on our time, that motivation may make all the
difference. It did for me!
Thomas J. Dever
District Chief of Staff
Coast Guard Auxiliary Fifth District Northern Region