Division 15 Academy Admission Partners
was eloquent and vigorously engaging in his
reflections of his experiences in AIM to the many attending AIM wannabe's. 3/c Doug Brown reflected realism in current Academy life, answering questions candidly and effectively. For more than an hour, James and Doug held the audience spellbound giving a vivid picture of what a day in the life of a cadet at AIM and the Academy was really like.
Brad and Sally Brown offered especially valuable insights and practical, helpful information for prospective parents. Being the parent of a cadet is difficult in its own right, not knowing how the rigors of the Academy are taking their toll on a child can be tough.
Academy Partner and former Coast Guard Officer John Braund of Rochester, New York, from District 9, joined in the day’s festivities and provided a number of "golden nuggets". Capital District Partners have been attending his event in Rochester during the past three years readying themselves for this day.
MST-1 August Klotz, also dedicated his day in traveling from Sector New York to discuss with the students the many other great opportunities available to enlisted personnel in the Coast Guard, sharing his knowledge of the Academy, as well as 'back door' ways to become a Coast Guard officer. For example, the Coast Guard is opening enlistments and will financially support enlisted personnel in their college program towards a BS with the real goal of Officer Candidates School.
Throughout the day emphasis was placed on a "Plan B" since there are only a limited number of students who will gain appointments to the Academy. Recent years have found classes of 250 cadets which are slated to expand this year and upcoming years to around 300 cadets per year.
Hal Howarth and Bill Kellar presented on the many other options available, reminding all those there that from failure comes success, so that if on the first go around they are not accepted then there are pathways to reaching their goal. Many other Maritime Academies were present for the day's event which included Merchant Marine Academy, USNA, NROTC, SUNY Maritime and Massachusetts Maritime, to offer the option of Commission and active duty assignment in the Coast Guard or any other military service upon graduation.
The Clifton Park Library provided a warm welcome to all attendees. We hope to return to this same venue in the future. This event is not a one-shot experience but will be annually repeated, our next event is already being planned for January 2017.
There is no doubt that Division 15 has clearly made the presence of the Academy and the Gold and Silver side known in the northern frontier of District 1 Southern Region.
US Coast Guard Auxiliary photo