A Conversation With Commodore John Holmes

By Robert Musco, PA 1

As of 2023, District 7 has a new Commodore- John Holmes. John Holmes was born and raised in New York City in the Borough of Manhattan. One of seven children, he attended St. Columbus Grammar School, the same school both of his parents attended. He spent his college years at the El Centro Campus of Dallas College, where he received a degree in hotel management. He did post-graduate work at California Coast University, obtaining his master’s degree. He moved to Florida in 1989, continuing to work in the hotel management industry and as a reserve deputy for the Orange County Sheriff’s Department. John was no stranger to law enforcement. His grandmother was a New York City police officer, along with several other relatives. Law enforcement seemed to be John’s calling. So when his job at the hotel demanded more traveling and more time away from his family, John decided to leave the hotel business and went to work full-time at the Sheriff’s Department. He spent the next twenty years as a deputy, working his way up to the rank of Sergeant.

John has since retired and currently enjoys spending time with his family, taking long walks with his wife and their dog, and spending time on their 23-foot Hurricane boat. As a hobby, he collects police memorabilia. “I have a collection of about 200 badges and several patches.”

Top: COMO John Holmes as we see and recognize him today- a member and leader of the US Coast Guard Auxiliary.

Below: Officer John Holmes of the Orange County Sheriff’s Department. Photos from COMO Holmes Facebook page.

Living in Florida, he wanted to buy a boat and decided that taking a boating safety class would be a great idea. He found a class given by USCG Auxiliary Flotilla 17-11, Orlando/Winter Park.

“I was so impressed with the way the class was taught and the professionalism of the instructor that I decided to join that flotilla and have been a member ever since,” John said.

While John was rated for six-pack vessels, he went on to earn his Master Captain’s license as well. “It was the Auxiliary that gave me the inspiration to become a captain.” Over the years, he has held many staff and leadership positions within the Auxiliary, rising to his current position as District Commodore. When considering his time in the Auxiliary, he stated, “It has been very rewarding.” As Commodore, John believes the priorities of his tenure should be recruitment and retention and Recreational Boating Safety. He also believes that Public Affairs is important and is an area where he would like to

(Continued on Page 39) from page 39) see more growth and improvement. He reported the Director of the Auxiliary had asked him to help the active-duty Coast Guard in Public Affairs. He has also received several requests for the Auxiliary to help in other areas, such as culinary services. He stated, “The call for culinary assistance is overwhelming, especially in southern Florida.” Currently, the Auxiliary does not have enough qualified members, and travel to distant stations is a problem. John has seen several Auxiliary members work a tour at the southwest border, assisting Homeland Security, Customs, and Border Protection. When looking at the work these Auxiliarists have done, John stated, “I believe our work will open doors and bring about more opportunities for the Auxiliary to work closely with Homeland Security.” He has received compliments about their work, stating, “Customs and Border have had nothing but great things to say about the Auxiliary and the service we provided to them so far.” John is hopeful for future opportunities but at the same time is concerned. “As we continue to prove ourselves, we may be asked to perform other duties, but the question is, will we have the members to fill the positions?”

To meet the membership challenge, John has instituted a program whereby any division that can increase its membership roster by 15% in 2023 will receive a $1,000 incentive. He believes the Auxiliary needs to focus on attracting younger members to keep them moving into the future. He would like to see growth within the Sea Scout program, which could foster a progression into the Auxiliary. He stated, “We need to remain relevant while remembering

Breeze our core values- Honor, Respect, Devotion to Duty.”

John would like to extend this message to the members of District 7: “I’m here, along with my staff, to support you.”

John shared with this writer some of his new, fresh, and invigorating ideas for this year’s D-TRAIN. If you would like to know what they are, I guess you will have to come to D-TRAIN in Orlando this September. See you there! Ω

What is AUXSCOUT?

Monique Wong, DSO-AS (AUXSCOUT)

AUXSCOUT is not a person.

It is the name of the “Auxiliary-Sea Scout Youth Development Program.” There are no “AUXSCOUTs.” In AUXSCOUT, Auxiliarists work with Sea Scouts from Sea Scouts BSA.

The Sea Scouts BSA program is a co-ed program in the Boy Scouts of America for youth ages 1420. Units in Sea Scouts are called “ships,” just like units in the Auxiliary are called “flotillas.” Sea Scout Ships are established nationwide and overseas to do activities on oceans, bays, rivers, and lakes.

A Sea Scout Ship may or may not own any boats, but Sea Scouts participate in activities and have fun on, in, around, and under the water. Scouts elect their youth leaders who plan, fundraise for, and run activities, with adult leaders serving as mentors to provide guidance and oversight. Sea Scouting is exciting and challenging. It is a place for Sea Scouts to grow, learn, find adventure, and build long-lasting friendships. Sea Scouts follow the curriculum in the Sea Scout Manual and achieve advancement in ranks by completing the requirements in the manual.

How did AUXSCOUT get started?

In 2018, the Coast Guard Auxiliary and the Boy Scouts of America signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) that recognized Sea Scouts BSA as the Official Youth Program of the Coast Guard Auxiliary. This agreement formalized partnerships that have existed between the Auxiliary and Sea Scouts since 2009. Now, Auxiliary flotillas and divisions are encouraged to charter (sponsor) Sea Scout Ships. Sea Scouts and Sea Scouts leaders do not have to join the Auxiliary, even if their Ship is chartered by an Auxiliary flotilla. Any Sea Scout

Members seek information about the Auxiliary Sea Scout program at S-Train MAR. 12, 2023.

USCG Auxiliary photo who is at least age 14, however, can apply to become a full Auxiliary member. Being a Sea Scout is the only way a person under 17 can join the Auxiliary.

The national Auxiliary-Sea Scout Youth Development (AUXSCOUT) Program Standard Operating Procedures (SOP revised on 21 Oct 22) outlines how Auxiliarists can work with Sea Scout youth and adult members, who may or may not be Auxiliary members. The Auxiliary’s Youth Programs Division Chief (DVC-SY) has oversight at the national level. Staff Officers are appointed at the district, division, and flotilla levels to help implement and support AUXSCOUT. Many resources are available for flotillas and divisions working with Sea Scouts. Flotillas and divisions can engage and support AUXSCOUT in different ways. Here are some possibilities:

• Pair up with an existing Sea Scout Ship

• Start a new Sea Scout Ship

• Do joint public affairs activities with Sea Scouts

• Conduct Safety at Sea events

• Provide training to Sea Scout Ships

• Participate in waterway cleanup projects with Sea Scouts

Auxiliarists who work with Sea Scouts will need to do some required training.

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Why AUXSCOUT?

The 2018 MOA strengthens the mutually beneficial relationship between the Auxiliary and Sea Scouts BSA. The partnership enhances the common goals of both organizations to promote recreational boating safety. Auxiliarists provide Sea Scouts with training in seamanship and other opportunities aboard Auxiliary operational facilities and at Auxiliary installations, the U.S. Coast Guard, and other U.S. agencies. Sea Scout youths and adults of Sea Scout Ships are integrated into the Auxiliary’s shoreside and underway programs. AUXSCOUT also creates a pathway for Sea Scouts and BSA members who desire to promote boating safety and support Auxiliary missions.

How will Auxiliary flotillas benefit from AUXSCOUT?

AUXSCOUT helps to drive growth in Auxiliary membership and to support Auxiliary missions. Sea Scouts and Sea Scout leaders are a potential

Sea Scouts also provide a fresh perspective on boating. They help the Auxiliary to be relevant to a younger generation who are excited about standup paddleboards, kayaks, sailboats, and water skiing. AUXSCOUT promotes STEM education, leadership, community service, and life skills. Auxiliarists can potentially influence a young person’s career and life.

How can Auxiliarists stay current with AUXSCOUT developments?

• Join the Sea Scouts, the Coast Guard Auxiliary’s Official Youth Program Facebook group

• Subscribe to the AUXSCOUT YouTube channel

District 7 AUXSCOUT Staff Officers

District Staff Officer-Auxiliary Scout (DSO-AS)

Monique Wong

Staff Officer- Auxiliary Scout (SO-AS)

Division 2

Division 5

Division 7

Division 12

Division 14

David Friedman

Matthew Glover

Stephen Browning

Walter Runck

Robert Cook

Flotilla Staff Officer- Auxiliary Scout (FSO-AS)

Flotilla 12

Flotilla 22

Flotilla 34

Flotilla 58

Flotilla 75

Flotilla 87

Flotilla 11-7

Flotilla 11-10

Flotilla 13-8

Flotilla 14-2

Flotilla 14-4

Flotilla 17-2

Links:

Jose Caban

David Friedman

Carlos Arenas

Matthew Glover

Stephen Browning

Laszlo Apathy III

Steven Sumner

Gordon Thomas

Walter Kostyk

Charles Hayes

Robert Cook

William Stephenson

AUXSCOUT Manual: https://seascout.org/ manual-resource-center/ source of new youth and adult members for a flotilla. Sea Scouts can help fulfill our recreational boating safety and public education missions in the best possible way by helping young people to be safe on the water and be aware of safety and environmental issues.

AUXSCOUT allows Auxiliarists to pass their experience and passion for boating to a new generation.

Breeze

AUXSCOUT YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ AuxScout

AUXSCOUT SOP: https://auxbdeptwiki.cgaux.org/ index.php?title=Standard_Operating_Procedures