FIFTH DISTRICT (SR) SPECIALTY COURSE & MARINE SAFETY WEEKEND

The Fall 2007 Fifth District (SR) Specialty Course & Marine SafetyWeekend [SCMS] will convene on the weekend of 12 – 14 October 2007 at the U.S. Coast Guard Training Center (TRACEN) Yorktown, VA. Location and driving information is included below.

 COURSES:  This Fall 2007 SCMS session will offer nine (9) courses as listed below:

            Communications (AUXCOM) *

            Navigation Part A (AUXNAV A)

            Navigation Part B (AUXNAV B)

            Patrols (AUXPAT) *

            Seamanship (AUXSEA)

            Weather (AUXWEA)

            Assistant Harbor Safety Specialist (AUX-EK)

Marine Environmental Education Specialist (AUXMEES) *

            Initial Introduction To Marine Safety (IIMS)

 Only one course may be taken during the SCMS weekend. The AUXSAR course is in process of being replaced with a course based on current USCG search and rescue procedures; therefore, AUXSAR will not be offered. Courses marked with a single asterisk * above will begin immediately after the Saturday morning assembly. All other courses will begin at 1900 (7pm) Friday night. All courses except AUXMEES will finish with final exams on Sunday; AUXMEES will finish on Saturday.

 All students will assemble at 0830 Saturday 13 Oct 07 in Washington Hall, the auditorium building across the parking lot from Hamilton Hall for welcome from the TRACEN Yorktown staff. All classes will be held in Hamilton Hall unless otherwise posted. Signs will be posted in Hamilton Hall to identify the classroom where a particular course will be held. At least one coffee bar will be set up in a student lounge area in Hamilton Hall..

 IMPORTANT SCMS COURSE INFORMATION FOR STUDENTS:  It is very important that students realize:

1.      They are personally responsible for obtaining their textbooks and other study materials through their Flotilla Staff Officer for Material (FSO-MA) or by downloading the material from the CGAUX National Training Department Website: http//www.auxtdept.org.

2.       Study materials are not available from the DSO-MT, 5SR.

3.      They must complete a self study of the material, to include completing the practice problems in the textbooks/study guides before coming to Yorktown.

4.      The SCMS weekend, being time constrained, is a comprehensive review of the course material presented by expert instructors, followed immediately by the standard Auxiliary or USCG course examination.

5.      By taking the course exam during the SCMS weekend, students will know immediately if they pass or fail. 

REGISTRATION:  The suspense date for registration is 30 September 2007 .A registration form is included with this information sheet. These forms should be mailed or e-mailed to the address shown on the form. Registration will be confirmed by return mail or e-mail. Due to the requirements to obtain study material before coming to the course, registrations received after 30 September 2007 may not be admitted to the class. 

 DIRECTIONS TO TRACEN YORKTOWN: From Interstate 64 (I-64) north or south, take the Fort Eustis Blvd. (VA Primary Road 105) exit east towards Yorktown (away from Ft. Eustis) to US 17; at the traffic lighted intersection with US 17, turn left (north) on US 17 towards Yorktown; go approximately half a mile to the traffic lighted “Y” intersection with secondary road 704; turn right on to secondary road 704 and take it until it dead ends into VA Primary Road 238 in the Yorktown Battlefield National Park; turn right on to VA  Primary Road 238 and take it to the main gate of TRACEN Yorktown; if unfamiliar with TRACEN Yorktown, get instructions from the security guard at the gate to get to Cain Hall (berthing), Hamilton Hall (classrooms), etc..  

 UNIFORM OF THE DAY:  Uniform of the day for Saturday 13 Oct 07 is tropical blue long. To facilitate the transition from travel to classroom on Friday 12 Oct 07, and vice versa on Sunday 14 Oct 07, appropriate civilian clothes may be worn on those days. All students must be in uniform on Saturday for welcoming assembly and while attending classes.

 BERTHING & MEALS: Berthing at TRACEN Yorktown is free, and will be requested for Friday night, Saturday night, or both nights for those who indicate on the registration form that they want berthing; however, berthing at TRACEN Yorktown is never guaranteed due to continually changing requirements for active duty berthing. Students should be prepared to find commercial hotel space if required. Check in for berthing at the Cain Hall berthing office after 1400. Meal service has been requested and should be available at the dining hall.

 SECURITY: A list of all personnel attending the SCMS Weekend will be sent to TRACEN Yorktown. Be prepared to show the USCG Auxiliary Employee ID Card and an automobile registration and proof of insurance card to the civilian contractor security guard at the main gate of TRACEN Yorktown.

MILITARY COURTESY: TRACEN Yorktown is an uniformed services installation.  The military salute is a traditional way of expressing professional courtesy to other persons in uniform, as well as saluting the United States flag.  As Auxiliary insignia are readily confused with active duty USCG officer insignia, an Auxiliarist may be saluted byactive or reserve US Coast Guard personnel.  The correct response is to return the salute.  Also, be mindful that hads are not worn indoors on military installations.

If you mail your application, keep in mind the delivery time required by US Postal Service. If you have questions concerning Specialty Course Weekend or other member training questions, either e-mail or write to the address shown above, or call Henry Stakely, DSO-MT 5SR at 704-663-9315 between hours of 0900 (9am) and 2100 (9pm) EST.