(Brewerton, NY – March 2013) The U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary in Central New York is holding a New Recruit Night from 6:30 to 9 on Thursday March 7 at Brewerton Fire Department, 9625 Brewerton Rd. (Route 11), Brewerton.
“The public is invited to come check us out,” noted Michael Kennedy, a flotilla commander who helped organize the event with Vice Flotilla Commander Bob Shanahan and Coxswain John Conroy. “For those who want to join the Coast Guard Auxiliary, we will have everything in place to make it as easy a process as possible. New Recruit Night will allow you to complete your application, get your fingerprints taken, and fulfill all the requirements necessary to join.”
Recruits may join any of five flotillas in Central New York’s Division 2. They include Syracuse Flotilla 21, Ithaca Flotilla 22, Oswego Flotilla 24, Sylvan Beach Flotilla 26, and Brewerton Flotilla 2-14.
Those interested in joining, Kennedy said, should bring a photo ID and proof of U.S. citizenship (such as birth certificate, passport, certificate of citizenship or naturalization). “If you have prior military service, please bring a copy of your DD-214,” he added, “and if you have attended a boater safety course, bring your certificate.”
The Coast Guard Auxiliary supports the U.S. Coast Guard and the public by patrolling the waterways, responding to boaters in distress, conducting search-and-rescue operations, promoting and teaching boating safety, offering free vessel exams, and providing auxiliary chefs (AuxChefs) for short tours at Coast Guard stations, on Coast Guard cutters, and at VIP events.
There is a volunteer job for everyone, Kennedy said, from administrative work to outreach to the public to boat crew training — plus, “we welcome people who would like to bring their interests, talents and skills to the Coast Guard Auxiliary.”