United States Coast Guard > Family

The Coast Guard community is comprised of important clubs, organizations and groups that offer comradery, networking, mentorship, entertainment and physical outlets. Each military family can also access to an ombudsman that advocates on your behalf, and can connect you with support services. If you identify resources that are not reflected, please email the My CoastGuard team at MyCG@USCG.mil.

New Ombudsman Training
If you are new to being an ombudsman, this training resource will help you become comfortable in your new role.

Ombudsman Family Programs
This site has aggregated resources most pertinent to Coast Guard families including: programs, national hotlines, disaster preparedness resources, health care and unemployment assistance.

The Ombudsman Program Overview and Brochure
Learn how the Ombudsman Program works at a high-level, and how it can support you as part of the Coast Guard family. It includes links to family resources, a command cadre toolkit, training resources and a list of Ombudsman coordinators.

The Commander’s Checklist to Ombudsman Services
This checklist provides a reference to be used when implementing the Ombudsman Program within your unit.

Find Your Coast Guard Ombudsman on the Registry
The Ombudsman Registry will allow you to identify your command or unit, and to contact the Coast Guard Ombudsman. If you cannot locate your unit, please contact the closest Base or Sector Ombudsman.

Navy Fleet and Family Support Center
Coast Guard families are eligible to access the Navy’s Family Readiness programs, including those offering career resources and education.

Naval Service FamilyLine
Naval Services FamilyLine is a volunteer, non-profit organization dedicated to serving Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard families across the country, and the world. FamilyLine is a unique organization that was founded by spouses for spouses.

Military OneSource
Although Coast Guard benefits are not available through this resource, this is a source of informative articles and helpful resources our families can use.

Coast Guard Ombudsman Program Instruction
This instruction provides guidance and assigns responsibilities for the Coast Guard’s Ombudsman Program.

National Council of Coast Guard Spouses Club Handbook
This handbook can help you form a new spouse club in your own community.

Coast Guard Spouses’ Clubs Instruction
This Commandant Instruction covers the Coast Guard’s policies regarding spouses’ clubs.

National Council of Coast Guard
Spouses’ Clubs
Spouses’ clubs provide a support system, offer community service, and share educational information. The National Council of Coast Guard Spouses’ Clubs assists new clubs, provides resources and advice, and maintains a directory of existing USCG Spouses Clubs.

United Service Organization (USO)
The USO provides services, programs and entertainment at more than 200 centers worldwide, with a mission to connect Service members to the people, places they love—including “phone home” services and more.

Navy’s Wives Clubs
The country’s only national non-profit that caters to the enlisted military spouses of those in the Coast Guard, Navy, and Marine Corps. There are some 26 clubs nationwide and they run a scholarship foundation in addition to conventions, luncheons and dinners for networking purposes.

American Red Cross
This organization assists military families and veterans with the challenges of military life. Volunteers provide services within hospitals and on Bases, and support families with resources during deployments and emergencies. CPR training is also available and families can receive free smoke detectors for home use. The American Red Cross Hero Care Center verifies and communicates family emergencies to unit commands. *Ombudsmen can also communicate emergencies to unit commands.

National Military Family Association
An advocacy group for families founded by military wives—provides programs and are formidable voices on Capitol Hill, the Department of Defense and Veterans Affairs.

Community Resource of Local Social Services
211.org is a comprehensive source of locally curated social services. Call, text, or chat with your local 211 representative to connect to a variety of services and programs, including: food, housing, employment, education, health care, special needs, and abuse support.

Key Contacts

Health Safety & Work-Life (HSWL) Ombudsman Coordinators
This document is an overview of Health, Safety & Work-Life Office contacts including TRICARE regional practice and clinical representatives.

Last reviewed on: 10/05/2020