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By Josh Loftis
(Reno, NV) – The U.S. Army and the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary both celebrate birthdays this June.
This year the U.S. Army celebrates its 243rd birthday on June 14, 2018. Later in the month, June 23rd, the U.S. Coast Guard will mark its 79th birthday.

The Army is the largest and oldest of all U.S. military branches. Did you know the U.S. Army was formed before the United States even declared its independence from Great Britain? The Army is considered a descendent of the Continental Army, which was established by the Second Continental Congress in 1775. Its rich history is reflected in the chorus of an older version of the U.S. Army song, “Those caissons go rolling along” – referring to the two-wheel carts used to carry munitions during the frontier days.

Army soldiers are celebrated for their vigor and bravery starting with the first skirmishes at Lexington and Concord, to the Mexican War and Civil War, to the World Wars as well as the conflicts of today, stemming from the Global War on Terrorism.

For a great article on the history of the U.S. Army go here: https://www.military.com/join-armed-forces/us-army-overview.html
As for the Coast Guard Auxiliary, Congress established the U.S. Coast Guard “Reserve” in 1939, which was re-designated as the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary in 1941.

Today, Coast Guard Auxiliary members provide an invaluable service to the U.S. Coast Guard in a wide variety of missions. Its primary mission is recreational boating safety, providing free vessel safety checks as well as boating safety classes and patrols. These patrols can often turn into search and rescue missions. In total, the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary contributes more than 4.5 million volunteer hours a year to support the U.S. Coast Guard.

But that is not all they do! Auxiliary members are authorized to assist any Coast Guard mission, not involving direct military or law enforcement action. So that means these missions could include things beyond boating safety, such as providing culinary specialists to prepare meals on Coast Guard bases and cutters, to radio watchstanders, to language interpreters, even media outreach and administrative support of all types.

In 2017, newer Auxiliary programs allowed members to assist active duty and reserves in clergy support and financial education about the “Blended Retirement System.” They also provide help to monitor Coast Guard shore construction projects as well as musical support for Coast Guard ceremonies and cyber security support too.

These volunteer members exemplify the Coast Guard Core Values of Honor, Respect, and Devotion to Duty.

Here is a great video that provides more detail on the history of the Coast Guard Auxiliary: https://youtu.be/DdURL_x5odY