Basic Introduction Course (BIC)
All Flotilla Northern Virginia personnel must complete this training upon joining. Basic Introduction to the Coast Guard (BIC) is a comprehensive orientation course covering a variety of Coast Guard and Coast Guard Auxiliary topics. BIC seeks not only to convey knowledge of facts and procedures, but also to share core values -- an awareness of the culture of service and leadership that surrounds the Coast Guard. BIC trainees must do the following:
- Attend the BIC course that is offered periodically throughout the year; course material is available online (contact the Human Resources Officer for training dates);
- Complete the online Virginia Safe Boating Course or an in-person training date (contact the Member Training Officer for training dates);
- Complete the online Incident Management System IS-100 and IS-700 courses and exams (this is a FEMA course and is only available online);
- Work with a coach/mentor to complete the other requirements outlined in the BIC Workbook, which is available online;
- Submit the completed workbook and documentation from the training listed above to the Member Training Officer.
Boat Crew Qualification (BCQ)
Personnel focused in the "Response" community should complete this training. The Boat Crew course requires extensive classroom, dockside, and on-the water training. After completion, and having knowledge and skills approved by a Qualifications Examiner, a student may be certified by the District Director of Auxiliary (DIRAUX) as Crew in the Boat Crew Program. Boat Crew members perform their duties under supervision of a Coxswain. They stand helm, lookout, towing watches and anchor watch as well as other tasks that may be directed by the Coxswain. Boat Crew trainees must do the following:
- Download the Boat Crew Qualification guide available online, properly bind it, and begin working through the requirements;
- Attend the BCQ course that is offered periodically throughout the year (contact the Member Training Officer for training dates);
- Attend the TCT course that is offered periodically throughout the year (contact the Member Training Officer for training dates);
- Participate as an observer on a 4-hour small boat mission underway (contact the Operations Officer for available patrol dates);
- Complete all shoreside and underway sign-offs in the qualification guide under the supervision of a qualified boat crew mentor;
- Complete the online Incident Management System IS-100 and IS-700 courses and exams (this is a FEMA course and is only available online);
- Complete a dockside and underway evaluation under the supervision of a "Qualification Examiner" (QE) once you have accrued the required number of underway hours as a trainee.
Personnel focused in the "Response" community should complete this training. Qualified coxswains serve as small boat commanders, and those that complete this rigorous operational training are considered to be the top notch mariners in the Coast Guard Auxiliary. Students must complete a series of written and underway (practical) examinations following thorough training in navigation, boat handling, small unit leadership, incident command, operations policy, federal and international regulations, and a variety of other relevant disciplines. Coxswain trainees must already be boat crew qualified, and must do the following:
- Download the Coxswain Qualification guide available online, properly bind it, and begin working through the requirements;
- Begin working with a qualified small boat coxswain to learn the shoreside and underway material required to complete the training;
- Complete all shoreside and underway sign-offs in the qualification guide under the supervision of a qualified coxswain mentor;
- Complete the online Incident Management System IS-200 and IS-800 courses and exams (this is a FEMA course and is only available online);
- Attend the Incident Command System (ICS-210) course that is offered periodically throughout the year (contact the Member Training Officer for training dates);
- Complete a dockside and underway evaluation under the supervision of a "Qualification Examiner" (QE) once you have accrued the required number of underway hours as a boat crewman.
Instructor Qualification (IT)
Personnel wishing to serve regularly as an instructor must complete this training. The instructor (IT) qualification is earned by passing the instructor development course and serving as an assistant instructor supervised by a qualified IT. IT trainees must do the following:
- Attend the IT course that is offered periodically throughout the year (contact the Member Training Officer for training dates);
- Demonstrate mastery of course material through passage of the "Instructor Development Course (IDC)", available at the testing center at http://ntc2.cgaux.org/NTC/;
- Work with a qualified instructor to conduct a minimum of one 1-hour and one 2-hour training session (the instructor may require additional teaching time to ensure proficiency);
- Ensure that the teaching time described above is documented using form Time Submission - Mission Activity Report a7030 and properly submitted to the Information Services Officer;
- Fill out the Qualification Form for VE_IT_RBSV and submit it to the Member Training Officer for review and submission to the Flotilla Commander for endorsement.
Marine Safety Training (MSTR)
Personnel focused in the "Prevention" community should complete this training. The Marine Safety Training Ribbon (MSTR) is a compilation of a variety of individual shorter-duration courses in marine safety and envrionmental protection fields. MSTR trainees must do the following:
- Demonstrate mastery of Good Mate course material through passage of the "GoodMate Exam", available at the testing center at http://ntc2.cgaux.org/NTC/;
- Demonstrate mastery of course material through passage of "Introduction to Marine Safety and Environmental Protection" exam, available at the testing center at http://ntc2.cgaux.org/NTC/;
- Complete the online IS-100, IS-200, IS-700, and IS-800 courses and exams (this is a FEMA course and is only available online);
- Attend the Incident Command System (ICS-210) course that is offered periodically throughout the year (contact the Member Training Officer for training dates);
- Fill out the MSTR Application and Check-Off Sheet and submit it (with documentation of above training) to the Member Training Officer for review and submission to the Flotilla Commander for endorsement.
Public Affairs Specialist (PAI)
Personnel serving as Public Affairs Officers or support staff should complete this training. Success in meeting the communication demands of the 21st Century will require a corps of highly trained public affairs officers. The job calls for brand management, where journalism and marketing techniques combine to enhance the public perception (image) of the Coast Guard Auxiliary. Students may complete Public Affairs Specialist (for levels I, II, and III) through online learning, and have the option of attending the AUX-12 Public Affairs C-School at one of several locations around the country as substitution for several of the Public Affairs Specialist I course requirements. PAI trainees must review the requirements for Public Affairs Specialist I, available online, and complete those requirements per specified instructions.
Vessel Examiner Qualification (VE)
Personnel focused in the "Prevention" community should complete this training. The Vessel Examination course introduces students to safety requirements, laws, and policies applying to recreational vessels. The objective is to educate the student on this content, to pass the end of course exam and complete examinations under the supervision of a mentor, and to prepare the student for service as a Vessel Examiner (VE). VE trainees must do the following:
- Attend the VE course that is offered periodically throughout the year; course material is available online (contact the Member Training Officer for training dates);
- Demonstrate mastery of course material through passage of the "Vessel Examiner Test", available at the testing center at http://ntc2.cgaux.org/NTC/;
- Work with a qualified vessel examiner to conduct a minimum of five (5) inspections supervised vessel safety checks (the examiner may require additional safety checks to ensure proficiency);
- Ensure that the safety checks described above are documented using form Vessel Examination Activity Report a7038 and properly submitted to the Information Services Officer;
- Fill out the Qualification Form for VE_IT_RBSV and submit it to the Member Training Officer for review and submission to the Flotilla Commander for endorsement.
