*Announcement: Hotel floor plan available below; updated class locations*
DTRAIN 2026
Honoring the Coast Guard Auxiliary
Hilton Costa Mesa • Costa Mesa, California
Join fellow Auxiliarists from across the Southwest District Southern Region for a weekend of training, networking, leadership development, and fellowship.
Welcome Aboard
The Coast Guard Auxiliary Southwest District Southern Region proudly presents DTRAIN 2026. This premier district training event brings together Auxiliary members from throughout the region for educational opportunities, mission readiness training, networking, and special events.
Whether you are a new member or a seasoned leader, DTRAIN offers valuable opportunities to strengthen your skills and connect with fellow Auxiliarists dedicated to Service Through Action.
Why Attend?
New Classes
Explore new training opportunities and professional development courses.
Up-To-Date Training
Receive the latest mission information, guidance, and best practices.
Professional Instructors
Learn from experienced Auxiliary and Coast Guard leaders.
Networking
Connect with members from throughout the Southwest District Southern Region.
Special Events
Member Fun Night
Friday Evening • September 11, 2026Enjoy fellowship with fellow members during a fun-filled evening featuring a Chili Cook-Off, Karaoke, Music by DJ, and additional activities.
Commodore’s Banquet
Saturday Evening • September 12, 2026Join district leadership and fellow Auxiliarists for an elegant evening banquet and recognition ceremony.
Event Schedule
- Friday, September 11: Registration, Classes, Member Fun Night
- Saturday, September 12: Training Sessions, Leadership Development, Commodore’s Banquet
- Sunday, September 13: Final Classes and Event Closing
Class Schedule
Full workshop and course lineup for DTRAIN 2026. Rooms and times are subject to change — check on-site signage for final updates.
Thursday, September 10
Set-Up Day| Time | Session | Location | Instructor |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6:00 – 10:00 PM | Future Leaders Academy Invite Only | Laguna Beach III | Anne Cioffi |
| 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM | Site Set-Up | Entire Site | — |
Friday, September 11
8:00 AM – 10:00 PM| Time | Session | Location | Instructor |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM | Future Leaders Academy Invite Only | Laguna Beach III | Anne Cioffi |
| 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM | Base Camp Open | Huntington Beach I | — |
| 9:00 – 11:00 AM | DCDR Round Table Invite Only | Catalina Ballroom | COMO Rod Donohoo, Chris Milano |
| 1:00 – 3:00 PM | District Board & Staff Meeting (Q3) | Catalina Ballroom | COMO Rod Donohoo, Chris Milano |
| 3:15 – 4:15 PM | PDCA Meeting | Catalina Ballroom | Bob McKoy |
| 7:00 – 10:00 PM | Member Fun Night — Movies, Trivia, Chili Cook-Off & Music by DJ | Fountain Terrace | — |
Saturday, September 12
7:00 AM – 10:00 PM| Time | Session | Location | Instructor |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7:00 – 10:00 AM | Opening Session | Catalina Ballroom | — |
| 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM | Aux Store Open | Huntington Beach I | — |
| 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM | DSO Mall + Exhibitors | Catalina Foyer | — |
| 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM | Coast Guard Mutual Assistance | Catalina Foyer | CGMA |
| 9:00 – 10:00 AM | Welcome to Boat Crew | Laguna Beach III | Leslie Pelosi, Tom Pelosi, Bob McKoy |
| 9:00 – 10:00 AM | Introduction to Marine Safety (Part I & II) | Laguna Beach II | Debbie Johnson, Dan Dirkes |
| 9:00 – 10:00 AM | Better Flotilla Management (Part 1) | Newport Beach I | Barb and Eric DeCuir |
| 9:00 – 10:00 AM | AUXDATA II, Basics and Beyond | Newport Beach II | Connie Trejo |
| 9:00 – 11:00 AM | VE Certification Prep | Newport Beach III | Gary Hooper |
| 9:00 – 11:00 AM | Flotilla Commander Round Table Invite Only | Balboa Bay I | COMO Rod Donohoo, Chris Milano |
| 9:00 – 10:00 AM | DCDR Round Table Invite Only | Balboa Bay II | COMO Rod Donohoo, Chris Milano |
| 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM | AUX 17 (C-School) Invite Only | Laguna Beach I | Greg Fucci, Larry Fletcher |
| 10:00 – 11:00 AM | AUXDATA II, Patrol Orders | Laguna Beach I | Leslie Pelosi, LT. Lamartina |
| 10:00 – 11:00 AM | Commercial Vessel Examinations | Laguna Beach II | Debbie Johnson, Dan Dirkes |
| 10:00 – 11:00 AM | Better Flotilla Management (Part 2) | Newport Beach I | Barb and Eric DeCuir |
| 10:00 – 11:00 AM | AUXDATA II, Build Your Skills, Become an Expert | Newport Beach II | Connie Trejo |
| 10:00 – 11:00 AM | Introduction to Public Affairs | Balboa Bay II | Rudy Lopez, Jr., Patrick Newburn |
| 1:00 – 2:00 PM | Augmentation with the Active Duty | Laguna Beach III | Wayne Palmer |
| 1:00 – 2:00 PM | Public Education Program Update | Laguna Beach II | Dave Padilla |
| 1:00 – 2:00 PM | HR 101 & Finance 101 | Newport Beach I | Jack Pauly, Emily Scholz |
| 1:00 – 2:00 PM | Boot Camp for Comms — Basic Training | Newport Beach II | Bill Scholz |
| 1:00 – 2:00 PM | PV Certification | Newport Beach III | Michael Farrar, Guy Heaton |
| 1:00 – 2:00 PM | Sea Partner Training (Part I) | Balboa Bay I | Debbie Johnson, Jim Haas |
| 1:00 – 2:00 PM | Military Etiquette for Coast Guard Auxiliarists | Balboa Bay II | Liz Noll, George Glover & Ron Mealey |
| 1:00 – 4:30 PM | AUX 17 (C-School), continued Invite Only | Laguna Beach I | Greg Fucci, Larry Fletcher |
| 2:15 – 3:15 PM | Introduction to PWC Operations | Laguna Beach III | Leslie Pelosi, Tom Pelosi, Bob McKoy |
| 2:15 – 3:15 PM | Auxiliary Coast Guard Recruiting Support | Laguna Beach II | Ronald A. Hecker |
| 2:15 – 3:15 PM | International Affairs’ Interpreters Corps | Newport Beach I | Don Nguyen |
| 2:15 – 3:15 PM | Communications — Your Link to All AUX Activities | Newport Beach II | Gene Schultz |
| 2:15 – 3:15 PM | Intro to Culinary Assistant | Newport Beach III | Angelo Skiparnias |
| 2:15 – 3:15 PM | Sea Partner Training (Part II) | Balboa Bay I | Debbie Johnson, Jim Haas |
| 2:15 – 3:15 PM | Radio Direction Finder (RDF) | Balboa Bay II | Gene Schultz |
| 3:30 – 4:30 PM | Emergency Management Planning | Laguna Beach III | Grant Graves, Mark Forster |
| 3:30 – 4:30 PM | Coastie Certification (Part 1) | Laguna Beach II | Rick Weiss |
| 3:30 – 5:30 PM | FLA — Summary/Final Exam Invite Only | Newport Beach I | Anne Cioffi |
| 3:30 – 4:30 PM | New Standing Rules (AUX Leadership) | Balboa Bay I | COMO Al Verdi |
| 3:30 – 4:30 PM | PA Updates, Tips, Strategies for Opportunities | Balboa Bay II | — |
| 5:00 – 7:00 PM | Commodore’s Reception | Executive Lounge | COMO Rod Donohoo |
| 7:00 – 10:00 PM | Commodore’s Banquet | Catalina Ballroom | COMO Rod Donohoo |
Sunday, September 13
7:00 AM – 5:00 PM| Time | Session | Location | Instructor |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7:00 – 8:00 AM | AUX Air Annual — Swim Test | Swimming Pool | — |
| 8:00 AM – 1:00 PM | Base Camp Open | Huntington Beach I | — |
| 9:00 – 11:30 AM | Aux Store Open | Huntington Beach II | — |
| 9:00 – 11:00 AM | Coastie Certification (Part II — Practicals) | Laguna Beach II | Rick Weiss |
| 9:00 – 11:00 AM | Surface Operations Program Update | Newport Beach I | CWO-2 Jacob A. Gore, Bob McKoy, Tom Pelosi |
| 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM | Telecommunications for Surface Operations | Newport Beach I | Gene Schultz |
| 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM | AUX 17 (C-School), continued Invite Only | Laguna Beach III | Greg Fucci, Larry Fletcher |
| 12:00 – 5:00 PM | Site Tear-Down | Entire Site | — |
