Do you think every service should have an Auxiliary where patriotic citizens can help out units?

2015-08-30T01:09:40-04:00

The Coast Guard Auxiliary considers their volunteers part of Team Coast Guard and has expanded their role of public boating safety promotion to include helping out units in areas such as administration, recruiting/public affairs, watchstanding, communications, aids to navigation chart updating,etc. For years the Civil Air Patrol (CAP) has assisted the U.S. Air Force in search and rescue and other emergency services, public aerospace education, and a cadet program. The US Air Force announced that they are making CAP part of the USAF Total force similar to Coast Guard Auxiliary. (Whether that results in any actual changes to their volunteer opportunities is still unknown.) Another similar model is state defense forces supporting National Guard units.

Here is the USAF link:

http://www.af.mil/News/ArticleDisplay/tabid/223/Article/615251/civil-air-patrol-joins-total-force-airmen.aspx

Civil Air Patrol joins total force ‘Airmen’

When conducting missions for the Air Force as the official Air Force auxiliary, the Civil Air Patrol is now included in the Air Force’s definition of the total force. CAP has provided 74 years of

Response by Capt Seid Waddell made Aug 30 at 2015 1:15 AM

2015-08-30T01:15:21-04:00

Great idea. The worst thing that can happen is to have a separate military culture to which the civilians cannot relate.

Response by Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS made Aug 30 at 2015 10:31 AM

2015-08-30T10:31:11-04:00

Without going to deep into it... I think the concepts of "Once a Marine, always a Marine" and "Soldier for Life" and the Auxiliary programs could be more seamless.

There are ways I want to contribute directly back to the USMC, but unfortunately, the "system" doesn't support that as designed. The USCG has their Auxiliary program, which is great. The services have the JROTC programs for retirees, also great. There is the Civil Service. But I think there is a "gap" which could be filled.

Response by PFC Tuan Trang made Aug 30 at 2015 10:36 AM

2015-08-30T10:36:27-04:00

Is a good idea, kinda like Police Reserve.

Response by PO1 William "Chip" Nagel made Aug 31 at 2015 4:34 AM

2015-08-31T04:34:31-04:00

Wouldn't that be cool. Still have some skills and knowledge that someone might find useful.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 31 at 2015 7:11 PM

2015-08-31T19:11:04-04:00

The thing I struggle to figure is a point for an Army Auxiliary and a Marine Auxiliary. The Marines have the Young Marines which ultimately looks to serve the same purpose of any other cadet program, however the Coast Guard Aux, Sea Cadets and CAP all perform real missions for their parent organization. What would a marine cadet or Army cadet do? Practice combat tactics? Haha legitimate question though. I've been in CAP for ten years and it's clear that it's more than just a cadet program, and it has lots of things it does that are important to the education of tomorrow's leaders. Just not sure what an Army Aux or USMC Aux would do...

Response by PFC Harold Best made Dec 22 at 2015 11:48 PM

2015-12-22T23:48:57-05:00

It is the very foundation of our Constitutional Militia system. Without it, you have nothing but eventual ruin. If you were a sufficient student of history you would already know this. We were warned of it by the founders. As we were patterned on the Roman republic. We share the same Achilles heel. And ONLY a strong militia could sustain us. The final stage of destruction is a lawless executive, without assassination of their subordinates. With that, the republic will endure.

Response by Maj Private RallyPoint Member made May 29 at 2017 3:54 PM

2017-05-29T15:54:20-04:00

Air Force = Civil Air Patrol
Navy = Merchant Marine
Coast Guard = USCG Auxiliary

The Army is supported by the Reserves. They are in turn augmented by the Guard. When the Guard deploys, they are back-filled to an extent by a state's Defense Force (where applicable). To me, that's an equivalent auxiliary.

Response by LTC Stephen C. made Jun 6 at 2017 12:37 PM

2017-06-06T12:37:45-04:00

LTC Private RallyPoint Member, upon my retirement from the USAR in MAY98, I interviewed with the Tennessee State Guard, whose stated mission is as follows:
"The purpose of the Tennessee State Guard is to provide a professional complement of personnel to support the State mission of the Tennessee National Guard, by assisting the Tennessee Army National Guard as a force multiplier, and at the direction of the Adjutant General, to assist civil authorities with disaster relief, humanitarian causes, ceremonial service, religious and medical support for the well being and safety of the citizenry of Tennessee."
Perhaps my expectations were set too high, but I did not perceive the organization to be one where I wish to commit my resources and time. Perhaps the organization has improved, and I'm sure that they make worthy contributions, but it just wasn't apparent to me at the time.

http://www.tnmilitary.org/tennessee-state-guard.html

tennessee-state-guard.html