How successful a Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla is in carrying out its mission of promoting boating safety and augmenting the Coast Guard depends in no small part on how many experienced Auxiliarists it has on its membership roll. While the contributions of newcomers to the Auxiliary are greatly appreciated, they simply do not have the know-how to perform at the same level as Auxiliarists who have years of operational or administrative experience under their belts.
The Auxiliary Member Service Award (AMSA) was established to recognize the important role veteran Auxiliarists play in helping their units perform effectively and efficiently, as well as the guidance and training they provide to newcomers to the service. Presented to Auxiliarists who have completed at least five cumulative years of service, the AMSA is issued initially as a miniature medal, ribbon, and a certificate signed by the Director verifying their length of service.
The Director is responsible for certifying Auxiliarists whose memberships reach the 5, 10, 15, and 20-year milestones, with a small bronze star being issued for each five-year increment (a small silver star is worn in place of five bronze stars). Certificates for Auxiliarists who maintain their memberships for 25 years and beyond are also issued in five-year increments and are assigned by the District Commander.
Coast Guard Auxiliary members who reach the laudable 50-year milestone are awarded with a plaque instead of a certificate, and from that point on only plaques are presented to acknowledge the completion of another five years of membership.
Auxiliarists who have earned one or more AMSAs are also very likely to qualify for the Sustained Auxiliary Service Award, initially awarded when they have reached 750 hours of documented volunteer service.
Read more about this award or purchase it here.