52 Proceedings Summer 2025 Cadets stand in formation during the commissioning ceremony of the Coast Guard Junior ROTC unit at Barnstable High School in Hyannis, Massachusetts. The program aims to instill values of citizenship, personal responsibility, and service in students. Coast Guard photo by Chief Petty Officer Richard Brahm knowledge, and skills to help them be more prepared for tomorrow’s challenges. Auxiliary University Programs Across the District In addition to the high school JROTC initiative, Northeast District is home to five AUPs including Maine Maritime Academy, New York Maritime College, the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, Norwich University—The Military College of Vermont, and Massachusetts Maritime Academy. Through the Coast Guard Auxiliary, the AUP enables college students to participate in a rigorous pro- gram of study that provides Coast Guard-related sub- jects, qualifications, and training, as well as leadership opportunities and operational Coast Guard experience through volunteer service and internships. The unit at the Massachusetts Maritime Academy (MMA), where around 40 cadets have kept the unit operational since 2015, is a stellar example of an AUP unit. As a supplement to their regimented campus life, cadets engage in a combination of academic rigor and Coast Guard professional development through weekly classes, workshops, and discussions with guest speak- ers. This is supplemented by the opportunity to com- plete internships with active-duty units as auxiliarists. Through hands-on experiences, these AUP cadets are afforded professional real-world experience with vessel inspectors, search and rescue mission coordinators, and maritime law enforcement officers at various sectors, cut- ters, and small boat and air stations. The academy’s specialized majors in marine engi- neering, ship operations, marine environmental protec- tion, and emergency management provide the Coast Guard with eager, volunteer-driven professionals while returning deckplate-level knowledge to hone their pro- fessional skills. The AUP program is tailored to prepare its members for professional development and volunteer service for their future careers in the Coast Guard and in the private sector. In the past 12 months, five graduates of the MMA AUP have received direct commissions, while one graduate is serving as a boatswain’s mate 3rd class in the Coast Guard Reserve. Many AUP students also join the Reserve while attending college. Remote AUP Unit In addition to the on-campus programs, several students within the Northeast District participate in the AUP Remote Collaborative Unit (RCU), which is designed for students who attend a college or university that does not have a standalone AUP unit on campus. This helps to For more information Visit the CGJROTC website at https://bit.ly/CGJROTC
