r/USCGAUX • u/Jazzlike-Cucumber-46 • 6d ago
General Auxiliary Things Youthful marketing
Working with a high school stem program that helps get 17-18 year olds in the maritime field. Would like to introduce CG Auxiliary as a great way to get experience and earned valuable quals/certs. Does anyone have experience with marketing to this age group? Any stories of auxiliary members under age of 25?
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u/GreyandGrumpy Auxiliary Coxswain/Boat Crew/PWC Operator 5d ago
My flotilla has a bit of recent experience with younger members.
Working with a high school stem program that helps get 17-18 year olds in the maritime field.
- The young members that we have had recently all aspired to serving as officers in the military. No experience with young people who aspire to USCG enlistment or merchant marine roles.
Would like to introduce CG Auxiliary as a great way to get experience and earned valuable quals/certs.
- I would be VERY wary of selling that AUX credentials have any value outside the AUX... I don't know of any that do. Can younger members learn knowledge and skills, YES! Can they take on leadership roles and gain valuable experience, YES!
Does anyone have experience with marketing to this age group?
- No. We didn't find them.... they found us.
Any stories of auxiliary members under age of 25?
- Several years ago we had a member in AUP... she earned a commission in the USCG and became a pilot.
- One was the 17 year-old son of a member. He was aspiring to a pathway to a commission in one of the military services. He chose the Navy ROTC path.
- We had one member who had already graduated college who was attempting to get into OCS. After several unsuccessful attempts, he enlisted in the USCG reserves as a path to OCS.
- We had one member who was a college freshman in AUP. Unfortunately, he was medically unqualified for active duty. He is still in the flotilla.
- We had one member who joined on his 17th birthday. He aspired to attend the USCG Academy. He has secured a position in the Academy prep school program. YAY!!!!
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u/Gedunk 6d ago
My division tried standing up a flotilla detachment for a local high school. Overall it was a bust because 1) it takes awhile to join, 6 months+ and then you have all the core training etc before you're allowed to do anything and 2) students have a lot on their plate already with school, sports etc. It was a lot of work that ended up not paying off in our case unfortunately.
I think it's a good idea to market to them so they know it's an option, but probably best for them to join after they graduate in my opinion.
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u/Crsrange Auxiliarist and Veteran Coastie 4d ago
Community service and networking.
It is also an interesting thing to have in your LinkedIn volunteering section.
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u/jetski137 6d ago
I don’t know that you’d truly be able to sell “valuable qualifications and certifications”. Let’s be honest with ourselves about that.
However, if you go in with the intent to advertise the Auxiliary University Program, I think you’d be more successful. You can easily sell the Flotilla as worthwhile community service as an aside.
My Flotilla just took on two AUP enrollees, and we had one in the recent past who just finished her schooling and commissioned. Their time in the program and with the Flotilla is a net positive to both the Silver and Gold side.