trained for mobilization. Enough of them voluntarily join organized 

 units to supply the program with competent officers. 



Materiel 



Materiel deficiencies were found chiefly in port security operational 

 units. For example, there are not enough foul weather clothing and 

 communications equipment. 



Status of training aids and supplies in organized units is good, 

 with materiel levels in other than port security units being fair to 

 good. The Coast Guard 5-year plan includes procurement of the 

 materiel needed for operational port security units. 



Training 



In the early days of reserve training, greater emphasis was put on 

 recruiting veterans and 2x6 enlisted men. After 1956 the 2x6 

 program was replaced by the recruitment of 6 x 8 personnel. This 

 program entails 6 months' training on active duty — roughly 4 months 

 of boot and shipboard training and 2 months of advanced training. 

 This is followed by 7i/2 years in reserve status, 51^ years of which 

 the reservists must attend weekly drills and 15 days of active duty 

 for training annually. 



The 2x6 program was abandoned in June 1959; it lowered morale 

 and efficiency of the regular Coast Guard personnel because reservists 

 were replacing regulars. If the 2x6 personnel could have augmented 

 reg-ular Coast Guard units, rather than replacing personnel, the situa- 

 tion might have been different. 



In 1961, operational unit training was established, stressing unit 

 teamwork. At present 128 of the 232 reserve units are designated 

 operational. The remaining units are still rate training for individual 

 specialty. 



Recommendations 



The specialized demands of modern warfare led the study group to 

 advise the Coast Guard to reevaluate its overall reserve wartime re- 

 quirements in order to be sure of having adequate trained personnel 

 and materiel to meet M plus 15 days mobilization task assignments. 

 To this end, Coast Guard should restudy the 2x6 program to deter- 

 mine its effectiveness in training for vessel augmentation and activa- 

 tion, and for special skills requiring extensive training. This study 

 should also determine the potential impact on the regular Coast 

 Guard of a reA^ved 2x6 program whereby reserve personnel could 

 spend 2 years on operational units, in addition to, but not instead of 

 regular personnel. Further, this program would be financed fi'om 

 the reserve appropriation. 



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