The senior elected officer of each unit, at each level, appoints a staff. These staff officers aid in the administration of that unit. Staff officer designations show not only the staff function, but also the staff level at which the officer functions. Staff positions at the flotilla level have the prefix “ FSO-,” at the division level “ SO-,” and at the district level “ DSO-.”

Below is a list of all authorized flotilla staff officers. Also included is a brief description of the responsibility for each.


MEMBER TRAINING (FSO-MT). As the name implies, this officer is responsible for administering all training of flotilla members. This includes boat crew, instructor, and vessel examiner training. Conducting all required Operations, Instructor, and Vessel Examiner Workshops is another FSO-MT responsibility. For these, the FSO-MT must coordinate with the Operations, Public Education, and Vessel Examiner Staff Officers. This position is very important to a growing flotilla and requires a dedicated, imaginative, and industrious individual.

PUBLIC EDUCATION (FSO-PE). This officer is responsible for administering and scheduling public education courses. Such work includes getting class space, instructors, and course materials. The FSO-PE must work with the FSO-MT to ensure properly trained instructors are available for the flotilla. This staff officer also coordinates with the Public Affairs Staff Officer (FSO-PA) for advanced publicity for the public education courses.

OPERATIONS (FSO-OP). The Operations Staff Officer is responsible for getting facilities and crews to meet the patrol activity requested by the Coast Guard. The FSO-OP must also work with the FSO-MT to be sure properly trained members are available to conduct the desired patrols.

COMMUNICATIONS (FSO-CM). This officer is primarily concerned with Auxiliary fixed land and land mobile radio facilities. The duties include the annual inspection of these facilities and their proper operation. The FSO-CM works with the FSO-MT to have the Communication Specialty Course (AUXCOM) taught to those desiring to participate in Auxiliary communications.

MARINE SAFETY (FSO-MS). This Staff Officer arranges for the flotilla to provide assistance, as needed, to the USCG Marine Safety Offices for Marine Safety and Environmental Protection. Working in cooperation with OP, PE, PA, CM, and MT to assist in presenting MSEP workshops, seminars, and training sessions, by bringing all MSEP information to the attention of the membership. In addition, encourage public outreach in such areas as Sea Partners.

VESSEL EXAMINER (FSO-VE). The FSO-VE is responsible for administering the flotilla’s Vessel Examiner (VE) Program. This effort includes scheduling VSC stations, particularly during VSC month. The FSO-VE works with the FSO-MT to be sure that properly trained Vessel Examiners are available for the flotilla. The FSO-VE coordinates with the Public Affairs Staff Officer (FSO-PA) for advance publicity about the VE Program and the VSC station schedule. The FSO-VE aids the FSO-OP to have all vessel facilities inspected before the district facility inspection deadline.

PERSONNEL SERVICES (FSO-PS). This officer has two goals: (1) to recruit, and (2) to retain members. The FSO-PS works primarily with the FSO-PE and FSO-VE to recruit new members for the flotilla. The PE and VE Programs offer the most exposure of the flotilla to the boating public. The Instructors and Vessel Examiners are the prime recruiters for new members. The FSO-MT is a key player in the retention efforts of the flotilla. Members expect training and involvement. If training is not done, the flotilla will lose members.

AIDS TO NAVIGATION (FSO-AN). The FSO-AN Officer oversees the flotilla’s Chart Updating (CU) and Aids to Navigation efforts. The job includes checking Private Aids to Navigation (PATONs). For this last effort, the flotilla must have enough qualified Aids Verifiers (AV). Many flotillas also appoint the FSO-AN as the Aids Verifier Examiner (AVE). The AVE qualifies potential Aids Verifiers.

PUBLIC AFFAIRS (FSO-PA). This staff officer works in cooperation with other staff officers to get maximum local publicity on flotilla activities.

CAREER COUNSELOR (FSO-CC). The Career Counselor Staff Officer is
responsible for administering the flotilla’s activities in the Academy Introduction Mission (AIM). This program sponsors high school juniors to visit the Coast Guard Academy. The FSO-CC also helps with the Recruiting Assistance Program (RAP). Under this program, the FSO-CC helps local Coast Guard recruiting efforts.

PUBLICATION (FSO-PB). The FSO-PB acts as editor of the unit’s publication. All flotillas should have some type of publication, or newsletter, to keep members informed of all flotilla activities. A flotilla publication is important for members who miss a meeting. The publication need not be fancy--just a simple mailing of reminders about coming events to each member, made on a regular basis, will do the job.

FINANCE (FSO-FN). The Flotilla Finance Staff Officer is the bookkeeper of the flotilla’s finances. The FSO-FN collects members’ dues and PE book sale funds, and maintains the flotilla’s checking account. The FSO-FN must promptly pay all bills for Auxiliary dues and other obligations. This staff officer is responsible for preparing an annual budget and for submitting monthly financial statements.

COMMUNICATION SERVICES (FSO-CS) This officer promotes development and support of the unit's eTechnology resources. This includes support of the unit website, monitoring applicable email communications and relaying them to members without email capabilities. Also, insuring that Public Education course schedules are maintained on the appropriate websites, assisting the FSO-PS, FSO-MT and members with web based resources, Power Point, and other technologies.

INFORMATION SERVICES (FSO-IS). While the FSO-FN is the monetary bookkeeper of the flotilla, the FSO-IS provides data entry of all flotilla activity data.. The FSO-IS is a key player in AUXDATA and AUXINFO SYSTEMS.

MATERIALS (FSO-MA). The Auxiliary operates the Auxiliary Center (AUXCEN), and the Coast Guard operates the Auxiliary National Supply Center (ANSC). The FSO-MA, if designated by the Flotilla Commander, orders items from ANSC, such as stationery and Coast Guard training publications, which are paid for at the taxpayers, expense. The FSO-MA also assists members in purchasing items from the AUXCEN through the
District Materials Center, operated by the DSO-MA.

SECRETARY/RECORDS (FSO-SR). The Secretary/Records prepares and distributes the Minutes of all flotilla meetings. The Flotilla Commander may assign other flotilla records for the FSO-SR to maintain, such as rosters and standing rules.

MARINE DEALER VISITOR (FSO-MV). The Marine Dealer Visitor provides boating safety information to marine dealers. Auxiliarist visit specific dealers on a regular basis and supply them with information and Auxiliary public material regarding boating safety, Auxiliary public education courses, and Vessel Safety Checks.