Flotilla 14-01, Manassas, VA

Auxiliary Trident Program

Sector Baltimore FAQ's

1. What is the Auxiliary's Trident Program?

                  It is a program to train and qualify Auxiliary members to augment with the Coast Guard in  their Marine Safety & Environmental Protection missions. The Auxiliary's national website has a section dedicated to Trident which you can review by clicking here.

2. How is it determined which missions an Auxiliarist can participate in?

                  The Trident program is designed to meet the augmentation needs of each Coast Guard field unit. Before you get started, it is important to know just where the CG needs help and the Trident Coordinator for Sector Baltimore is the best person to ask.

3. Who is the Trident Coordinator for Sector Baltimore?

                  PO Rachel Downham @  rachel.n.downham@uscg.mil  Phone: 410-576-2695

4. Is there a Fifth District SR Auxiliary Staff Officer responsible for the Trident Program?

                  Yes. It is DSO-MS Frans Kasteel  @  Kasteelfr@aol.com  

5. Is there an Assistant DSO-MS just for Sector Baltimore?

                  Yes. It is ADSO-MS Dick (Doc) Kelly @  rjkellymd@verizon.net

6. How is the Trident Program structured? 

                  The three basic components of Trident are: EDUCATION, QUALIFICATION and SERVICE.

7. What is the EDUCATION component of Trident? 

                  The education component consists of the following Auxiliary courses which can be completed on-line: (1) "Introduction to Marine Safety" (2) "Good Mate" and (3) ICS-100. ICS-200, IS-700 & IS-800. There is also a required Cost Guard Institute class, "Initial Indoctrination to Marine Safety" (IIMS) which requires a proctored exam. (See below for more details on the IIMS course.) 

8. What is the QUALIFICATION component of Trident? 

                  The qualification component involves training in at least four specialties. There are presently 16 Auxiliary specific specialties listed on the Auxiliary's national website. Additional specialties will be added in the future (and some eliminated). Each specialty has a unique Performance Qualification System (PQS) workbook that guides the Auxiliarist through the training. Reading the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) and on-the-job training is part of the qualification process too. Some specialties also require exam and / or oral board.

9. What is the SERVICE component of Trident?

                  To earn the Trident device, you are required to serve 96 hours per year for each of 4 years. (The years do not need to be consecutive.) Of course, you can serve more than 96 hours per year.

10. You said that the QUALIFICATION component of Trident program currently includes 16 Auxiliary specific specialties. Are there any active duty qualifications that I could pursue?  

                  Yes, but only one. The Commercial Fishing Vessel Safety Examiner qualification is open to Auxiliary members and qualifies under Trident. Sector Baltimore currently needs help in this area.

11. Where does the training for the Trident program take place?

                  Some classroom and field training takes place at the Coast Guard Yard at Curtis Bay in Baltimore. Also, the Fifth District's SR semiannual Advanced Skills Weekends which takes place in Yorktown normally offer some training opportunities.  Once your Trident application is received by the Auxiliary Trident Coordinator, you should be alerted to upcoming training opportunities via e-mail. Independent home study will be necessary to prepare you for classroom and field training.

12. Do I need to complete an application to get started in the Trident program?

                  Yes. You can download the Trident application (pdf format) by clicking here. When completed, mail it to: Rachel Downham, Aux Trident Coordinator, USCG Sector Baltimore, 2401 Hawkins Point Rd, Building 70, Baltimore, MD 21226-1791.

13. I need to take the proctored test for the Initial Indoctrination to Marine Safety (IIMS) course. How do I do this?

                    You can contact the Educational Service Officer (ESO) at Sector Baltimore, BOSN2      Michael Lemay @  Michael.R.Lemay@uscg.mil . Also, the test (and a review course)  are regularly offered at the Fifth District SR  Advanced Skills Weekend each Spring (March) and Fall (October) at the US Coast Guard Training Center (TRAECN) Yorktown.                             

14. What is the Marine Safety Training Ribbon and what do I need to do to earn it?

                  You need to complete the education component of the Trident program (outlined above). After doing so, download the "Marine Safety Training Ribbon Application and Check-off Sheet" by clicking here. Attach photo copies of your course completion certificates from the Auxiliary courses and a copy of the grade report from the IIMS test. Then mail these items to the Auxiliary District Marine Safety Officer, DSO-MS Frans Kasteel. Your flotilla FSO-MS can give you his mailing address.

15. Once I begin completing all the requirements of a Performance Qualification Standard (PQS), how do I get those competencies into Auxdata?

      Just having a course completion certificate and/or a signed PQS workbook is not enough. You must have a Letter of Designation  signed by an official at Sector Baltimore (such as Capital Brian Kelley). The Trident Coordinator (PO Rachel Downham) should be able to help you to receive that letter. Once in hand, it is your responsibility to send a photo copy to DIRAUX to the attention of  Crystal Smith, US Coast Guard Fifth District, 431 Crawford Street, Room 119, Portsmouth VA 23704. Diraux will then enter your PQS competency into Auxdata, though it may take 4-8 weeks.