Formed in 1939 as the Coast Guard Reserve, the Coast Guard Auxiliary was given its present name after the outbreak of World War II necessitated the formation of a military reserve. The Auxiliary is comprised of some 36,000 uniformed, civilian volunteers — veterans, professionals and spirited citizens — who serve side-by-side with active and reserve duty personnel, assisting the Coast Guard in every mission area except direct military action and law enforcement, as directed by the Commandant of the Coast Guard. In an average day, Auxiliarists save one life, assist 56 people in distress, save $719,000 in property, educate 936 people about boating safety, perform 615 VSCs, conduct 19 SAR missions, complete 100 safety patrols afloat, and participate in 120 operational support missions for the Coast Guard. Dubbed “America’s Volunteer Lifesavers,” they comprise about one-third of the Coast Guard's total manpower.