May 12, 2008 — A trio of U.S.Coast Guard officers visited students at Charlotte Amalie High School Monday, directing their attention to the service's multiple educational opportunities.
They also talked about adventure. How about chasing drug runners off the Florida Keys, or doing some polar ice-breaking on a scientific mission from the north to the south pole on an ice-cutter?
The USCG is the smallest of the five armed services, with only 45,000 members, as compared to the Army or Navy's more than 100,000. The officers stress the family nature of the Coast Guard, but it's not easy to earn a seat at the dinner table.
"We only take the best and the brightest," said Lt. Juan Rivera, who is not a recruiter, per se, but is commanding officer of the other two — Chief Petty Officer Renee E. Gordon, regional supervisor, and Recruiter William Burgos. The three work together covering the South Eastern Command, which includes Georgia, Florida, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.
The service accepts students who were home schooled and those with GED certificates.
"However, they come under a different set of criteria," Gordon explained.
Gordon, a 20-year officer, is the first USCG African-American female public affairs officer, a distinction she holds proudly.
As she explained this to the junior and seniors students they visited Monday morning, several young girls sat up and took notice. She got their attention even more when she stressed that the Coast Guard is the only service where women can hold any position that a man can.
The USCG is a military multi-maritime service under Homeland Security, Gordon explained to the eager students: "We protect your borders by halting the flow of drugs, illegal aliens or contraband, illegal fishing. We maintain safety in boating, fishing. We protect the environment."
The University of the Virgin Islands will offer a college student pre-commissioning initiative for the first time this year. It is a scholarship program for students in their sophomore or junior year which provides full tuition, books and a monthly salary of up to $2,000. Upon graduation, the students attend Officer Candidate School, with the agreement that they will serve three years. The team will visit UVI Tuesday morning.
Enlisted opportunities range from becoming an aviation maintenance or information systems technician to public affairs specialist, health service technician or criminal investigator.
CAHS junior Rosemary McKenzie comes to the school career center after class to discuss her future.
"I'm planning to go to UVI," she said. "I want to be a lawyer."
"Why are you staying here?" Rivera asked.
"Family, weather, the culture and food," she shot back.
Tuesday afternoon, the team will visit Ivanna Eudora Kean High School.
"This is a continuing effort," Rivera said. Students can reach Rivera at (202) 631-4632; Gordon at (202) 631-3404; and Burgos at (787) 667-4810.
The recruiters will be on St. Croix at The Manor School Wednesday, at the UVI St. Croix Annex and St. Croix Education Complex High School Thursday, and St. Croix Central High School on Friday. Call Chief Gordon for times.
More detailed information can be found at gocoastguard.com.
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