While attending a meeting on an upcoming division OPEX, I was told I needed to pass a test on the Auxiliary Operations Policy Manual in order to requal for coxswain. Nowhere does this "requirement" appear on the Coxswain Recertification paperwork. Is this legit or the mad rambling of a non-boater division captain?
My FSO-MT says forget about it but I would like some back-up.

I don't recall the details (not a coxswain, so didn't focus on it), but I recall hearing something about some sort of test as well. On the SAR addendum, perhaps?

My vote is for - the envelope please -

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the mad rambling of a non-boater division captain

And the reason is:

February 2007
SURFACE OPERATIONS POLICY EXAM

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February 2007 - SURFACE OPERATIONS POLICY EXAM

The Operations Policy Exam is now available and is required for all trainees working on their Coxswain or PWC Operator qualification. This exam must be successfully completed before the QE dockside oral exam and underway check ride can be performed.

The exam, a 30 question open book exam, covers surface operations policies located the Operations Policy Manual COMDTINST M16798.3 (series) and Chapter 4 of the Coast Guard Addendum to the United States National Search and Rescue Supplement (NSS) COMDTINST M16130.2 (series). A score of 90% is required to pass the exam.

The exam is available through the Auxiliary National Testing Center at: http://cgexams.info/testing/

Upon completing the test, you will receive notice if you have either passed or not. If successful, your DIRAUX should get an electronic notification. Of course, it is always a good idea to print a copy of any electronic notice you receive in case the notice does not get to your DIRAUX for some reason and you will need that notice for your mentor to sign off on that task.

Note: The on-line exams require that you are running Internet Explorer 5.0 or newer, Netscape 6.1 or newer or an equivalent release of AOL's browser. It requires that you have JavaScript installed and enabled and that you have your cookies enabled.

This exam is also available in hard copy from the Operations Training Officer (OTO) in your district if you prefer. [ 05 February 2007. Source: Gary Taylor DVC-OS]

Notice that only trainee coxswains and PWC operators, not existing coxswains/operator are required to take the exam.

That is also the problem I have in my flotilla. The FC is a non-boater and does not focus on anything to do with Operations. Ergo, he never brings anything back from division relating to OPs.

Too many Aux orifices at all levels don't know sh*t from but make grand pronouncements as if they do.

Why in the world wouldn't we ask existing coxswains to take this new test? The existing ones SHOULD be able to breeze right through it.

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The FC is a non-boater and does not focus on anything to do with Operations.

I know little about the Aux. so forgive my ignorance. Isn't a "non-boater" somewhat of a contradiction to the overall purpose of the Auxiliary?

Not necessarily. There are plenty of folks who join to help the CG in any way they can, and in fact most Aux missions don't require boats at all. In fact, you can safely say that the majority of Auxies don't actually go out on boats as part of their Aux duties.

Why in the world wouldn't we ask existing coxswains to take this new test?

Probably a not insignificant number would fall into one or more of the following categories and then quit the Aux. The Aux is afraid of losing any more members.

1. Coxswains who are fed up with one useless requirement after another to keep their quals and would let them go and quit before they submitted to another one.

2. Contrary to your second statement, most coxswains learned the SAR rules and Ops policies when they became a coxswain and never looked at the rules again. And depending on how long ago that was, many of the rules have changed. Many coxswains would fail the test. And rather then studying to pass it the second time, would give up their quals and leave the Aux.

BTW and FWIW - I was told by some parties who have a reason to know that this exam is do to the Rogue Coxswain - who is a fairly new coxswain. Although he claimed to be an expert on all matters operational and one of the three coxswains in the flotilla the now ex-FC authorized to mentor new crew - he also claimed a total lack of knowledge that illegal covert ops were illegal. He didn't know, supposedly that crew had to wear PFDs and unis. He also claimed he didn't know that the boat had to have its sign boards up. This despite the fact that it was an issue in the entire sector the year before the incident occured. In the past he also ran with blue lights. And recently was reported to have violated No Wake Zones and sped thru a bridge on a SAR case.

Also on the boat for all the covert ops was another new coxswain who also claimed she didn't know and a coxswain of almost 20 years experience was on at least one illegal covert op who also claimed he didn't know. He was and is the FSO-OP of the flotilla.

Ergo - the new exam and no new coxswain will be able to claim they didn't know what policy was.

Given what I was told the reason for the exam is - then it doesn't make sense (other then losing membeship) that existing coxswains aren't required to take the exam and periodically (like when they requal every 3 years) ever after. But that big bugaboo of losing membership trumps all.

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1. Coxswains who are fed up with one useless requirement after another to keep their quals and would let them go and quit before they submitted to another one.

Yep, there are probably some who might take that tact. However, unlike the ICS and some other requirements, it is extremely hard to argue that it isn't important that they know this stuff.

In fact, your second argument is actually a good argument in favor of requiring such a test.

Now that I think about it, this actually closely parallels CAPs requirement that everyone pass a test on CAP's emergency services regulation before they participate in any ES activity. At least a few years ago, there was a requirement that you take the test again whenever they changed the regulation any (and presumably changed the test to match). I think that is still the case.

I'm even a bigger fan of requiring such a test for crewmembers and coxswains.

The Ops Policy Exam isn't all that hard, and it's open book.

I learned alot by just reading the main parts and looking up the answers to the questions.

As a sixteen year coxswain/OPFAC owner, (offshore qualified) I too am fed up with the useless, irrelevant requirements being foisted on the people that are actually out on the water doing something. If the object of our "leaders" is to eliminate Surface OPs they are doing a good job of it.

Are you saying that you could pass the test today, without studying?

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Originally posted by Ancora:
I was told I needed to pass a test on the Auxiliary Operations Policy Manual in order to requal for coxswain.

Required - Not by any National Policy. I suppose your district could make it a prerequisit to obtaining orders. But not likely as the QE is required to verify your knowledge of operations policy as a requirement in your 3yr requal.

Now as a matter of practicality. The QE's in this area like to see that a Coxswain has recently completed this exam so they don't have to spend the extra time grilling the Coxswain about Policy.

I guess it is up to each Coxswain to decide how they want to approach this part of the requal. Sit thru an oral exam on policy with a QE or take the online exam every three years.

I always envisage our "leaders" sitting around a large table thinking up new ways to antagonize the membership. It is amazing that we keep coming up with the same fools in command. Only the names change.