The US Coast Guard Student Programs Directorate is promoting the Coast Guard as a career or volunteer opportunity to America's future leaders. According to the Coast Guard website, it is currently looking to commission 500 new officers each year for the next five years, with less than half of that number coming from The Coast Guard Academy graduates. The Coast Guard Auxiliary University Program is striving to be the predominant source for the remaining 250 plus officer candidates needed annually. See: http://www.cgauxedu.us/
The Auxiliary University Programs (AUP) website: AUP originates from students at The College of William & Mary, The Citadel, and Auburn University creating Auxiliary college programs on their campuses in 2007 for students interested in commissioning into the Coast Guard. Since then, the program has grown to a presence in over 50 colleges and universities across the nation. While the Coast Guard does not have an ROTC program, AUP provides an experience akin to ROTC in that it provides both academic and practical leadership and other technical training. Students in the program may apply for a commission to the Coast Guard, but do not have to commit to post-graduation plans while in the program nor does the Coast Guard provide scholarships like ROTC programs. Graduates of the program who seek commissions, have a significant advantage, with acceptance rates over 70% for OCS compared to a 3% selection rate for nonaffiliated individuals applying. Division Code: SU See: https://wow.uscgaux.info/content.php?unit=s-dept
Cadets at The Citadel can join the Coast Guard Auxiliary Unit: https://wow.uscgaux.info/content.php?unit=070-12-08&category=citadel-detachment
Citadel Cadets will have the advantage of being near the Coast Guard’s largest East Coast base. See the Coast Guard announcement of a new Super Base in Charleston: https://www.airmedandrescue.com/latest/news/new-superbase-planned-us-coast-guard
The Auxiliary University Programs (AUP) website: AUP originates from students at The College of William & Mary, The Citadel, and Auburn University creating Auxiliary college programs on their campuses in 2007 for students interested in commissioning into the Coast Guard. Since then, the program has grown to a presence in over 50 colleges and universities across the nation. While the Coast Guard does not have an ROTC program, AUP provides an experience akin to ROTC in that it provides both academic and practical leadership and other technical training. Students in the program may apply for a commission to the Coast Guard, but do not have to commit to post-graduation plans while in the program nor does the Coast Guard provide scholarships like ROTC programs. Graduates of the program who seek commissions, have a significant advantage, with acceptance rates over 70% for OCS compared to a 3% selection rate for nonaffiliated individuals applying. Division Code: SU See: https://wow.uscgaux.info/content.php?unit=s-dept
Cadets at The Citadel can join the Coast Guard Auxiliary Unit: https://wow.uscgaux.info/content.php?unit=070-12-08&category=citadel-detachment
Citadel Cadets will have the advantage of being near the Coast Guard’s largest East Coast base. See the Coast Guard announcement of a new Super Base in Charleston: https://www.airmedandrescue.com/latest/news/new-superbase-planned-us-coast-guard