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T HE R E S P ONDE R - N EWS LETTER O F T H E NAT I ONAL R E S P ONS E DI R E C T OR AT E
Program,’ what I am talking about is simply
FROM THE EDITOR visiting aforementioned educational programs
where you can introduce the Auxiliary. There,
Reflecting on ‘Age’ answer questions, and while doing so, you
develop both knowledge and relationships,
in Diversity when leading to new applicants.
“There still exists a large
Recruiting population to draw from. This
includes those which stand firmly
by S. Scott Alfassa, MPA (Editor)
in their desire to serve their
T These individuals will join for many reasons,
community and country.”
he Auxiliary is an organization with a
wide selection of opportunities for its
members. Since 9/11, the mission of the
organization has expanded to place increased including the fact that most have an intrinsic
emphasis on homeland security, primarily within drive to serve. Many like the idea of “something
the maritime domain. Immediately following different” yet it is lateral to their current
9/11, both the Active Duty and the Auxiliary saw objectives which include working in government
a jump in recruitment, with many people joining service. Once they learn about the existence of
for the specific purpose of desiring to support the Auxiliary, they see it as a way to “serve” with
their nation against terrorism. While much of the the military, without being in the military. Yet, it
dramatic surge in recruiting we saw in 2001 has is the military foundation of the Auxiliary itself,
faded, there still exists a large population to draw which is often appealing to many of them.
from. This includes those which stand firmly in Moreover, many like the idea of building their
their desire to serve their community and resume with the ‘Department of Homeland
country—however, most of those people have Security’ on it as they climb up their career
never heard of the Coast Guard Auxiliary. ladder, while learning new things.
A remarkably good pool of potential candidates Recruiting new Auxiliary members from this
to recruit from are young college-aged students, pool has the potential to strengthen the national
particularly those studying the subjects of public organization on many fronts, including diversity
administration, homeland security, fire science, in the broadest sense, which includes diversity in
and criminal justice. Further, vocational age.
programs such as those which offer specialized
training programs to be EMTs and Paramedics In a thesis published by the well-respected Naval
are also good locations to affiliate with for Postgraduate School, a study on the USCG
Auxiliary demonstrated, “The membership of the
recruiting purposes.
Auxiliary is primarily older….” This is well
While the Auxiliary has some specialized formal known; the Auxiliary has an aging population of
programs for recruitment, such as ‘Partners in members—it is spoken about often by the
Education’ and the ‘Auxiliary University leadership. Therefore, recruiting new individuals
United States Coast Guard Auxiliary ‘R’ Directorate Fall 2021
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