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Public Service

Keeping a watch on the water

Carolina alumnus Alex Knott continues his service to the state as a flotilla commander in the Coast Guard Auxiliary.

Alex Knott standing in front of a helicopter
Knott in specialty training to be a flotilla commander at the U.S. coast Guard base in Elizabeth City. (Image courtesy of Alex Knott)

After graduating from Carolina in 2021, alumnus Alex Knott wanted to continue his service to the state. He discovered that avenue in the Coast Guard’s auxiliary program, which allows trained members to serve as a civilian extension of the force to make all North Carolina waters safer.

A member of UNC-Chapel Hill’s Coast Guard Auxiliary University Program as a student, the Tar Heel attributes his quick promotion to flotilla commander to his time as a student, where he learned how to lead and serve others.

Knott talks about the importance of the program at Carolina, why he decided to continue to serve after graduation and how the Coast Guard Auxiliary serves the state.

What is the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary University Program?

All armed forces branches except the Coast Guard have an ROTC program, which is a college commissioning program. Since the Coast Guard is a smaller branch, the only way to commission into the Coast Guard is through Officer Candidate School or the Coast Guard Academy. But, in 2007 they rolled out the Auxiliary University Program, or AUP, which is an extracurricular and academic program that prepares students for public service both in and outside of the Coast Guard upon graduation if they so choose.

Why did you sign up for the AUP at Carolina?

The summer after my first year, I met a friend’s dad, who was a captain in the Coast Guard. He shared some of his experiences from his 30 years in the Coast Guard with me, and the emphasis on service and helping others hit home for me. I saw a flyer for the AUP when I returned to campus in the fall, and I joined and graduated from the program.

What did you gain from being part of Carolina’s AUP?

As a Carolina student, I started out in ROTC but decided I wanted to pursue a civilian path after graduation, so I switched into the Coast Guard Auxiliary University Program in my junior year. When I joined the AUP, the person who founded it at Carolina had recently graduated, and there were only around five people involved. Baskin Cooper, the University’s Coast Guard AUP Unit Officer, asked me to use my leadership skills to build up the program. That gave me the opportunity to learn how to lead by example and effectively communicate with and organize large groups of people. Those are skills I use today both as a flotilla commander and construction project manager.

Knott in Coast Guard Auxiliary training on the coast of North Carolina.

Knott in Coast Guard Auxiliary training on the coast of North Carolina. (Image courtesy of Alex Knott)

How does the Coast Guard Auxiliary serve the state?

The AUP is the Coast Guard’s main representative in the landlocked areas of the state. Most people don’t think about the Coast Guard outside of the ocean, but North Carolina is covered in lakes and rivers. Our primary responsibility is recreational boating safety, so we patrol waters for distressed boaters, instruct boating safety classes, conduct vessel examinations, check navigational markers for accuracy and generally ensure everyone on the water is behaving in a safe and responsible manner. We also serve in search and rescue missions, and if there is an emergency or natural disaster, we can respond with assistance or support services.

What do you do in your role as a flotilla commander?

As the flotilla commander for the Chapel Hill Flotilla, I lead and supervise approximately 30 auxiliarists. I make sure that our unit and all members conform to the Coast Guard Auxiliary policies, and I serve as the communications link with higher officers. I frequently do continuing education and training to hone my skills as a commander.

Currently, I’m training as an Aid-to-Navigation Verifier so I can ensure that all buoys, markers and depth signs are up-to-date and accurately placed on waterways. Misreading or inaccurate signs are a common cause of recreational boating accidents.

Why is serving North Carolina important to you?

I know that I’ve lived a privilaged and lucky life, and I wanted to serve my community. Through the AUP and I learned many useful skills and made many friends. Through my service as a flotilla commander, I can make a difference in Chapel Hill and make the water a safer place.

The Tar Heel Bus Tour will be visiting the Coast Guard’s auxiliary program this week. Traveling more than 1,000 miles across the state, Carolina leaders and faculty on the tour will see firsthand how our work extends beyond Chapel Hill and makes a real-world difference.

Learn more about the bus tour