For the first time since 2007, the Coast Guard has achieved all its recruiting missions for enlisted active duty, the Reserve, and Non-Academy Officer Candidate School (OCS) accessions. Thanks to Coast Guard Recruiting Command’s perseverance and coordination, the Coast Guard has accessed over 4,400 active duty members.
“This achievement would not have been possible without the efforts of our workforce and senior leadership’s investment in this endeavor,” said Capt. Ben Keffer, commanding officer of Coast Guard Recruiting Command (CGRC). Updated Coast Guard policies on the maximum recruiting age and tattoos, among others, have empowered recruiters to cast a wider net in their efforts.
Since 2022, the Coast Guard has opened new recruiting offices and added 95 new recruiting billets to process applicants. Today, the service has 72 traditional recruiting offices, 13 detached duty recruiting offices, 389 production recruiters, and four virtual recruiters. “I joke with my recruiters that I've still recruited zero people, but they've done over 4,400, so it's a huge shout out to them, because the level of effort it takes to recruit people is no small feat,” Keffer emphasized.
The Coast Guard workforce and community has also had a hand in this success. Through programs like Scout Talent and Refer (STAR), which provides $1,000 for any Coast Guard member or employee who refers a recruit, and the bonus structures and incentives for new applicants, members and civilian employees play a critical role in spreading the word about the service.
“By exceeding this year’s recruiting mission, we are building a stronger Coast Guard, leaving the service better prepared for tomorrow’s challenges,” Keffer noted. “But the work isn’t over. We need your help to build this success into 2025 and beyond. We encourage Coast Guard members and employees to keep telling your friends about careers in the Coast Guard and to keep up their great work, which represents the Coast Guard well in our communities and nationwide.”
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