The Long Blue Line (Fall 2020)

‘Everyone is a Recruiter’
Coast Guard revitalizes incentive program
“The Coast Guard is hiring and we need your help,”
said Master Chief Jason Vanderhaden, Master Chief
Petty Officer of the Coast Guard, in a recent campaign
video. Coast Guard Recruiting Command is breathing
new life into the “Everyone is a Recruiter” incentive
program that recognizes current active duty, Reserve,
civilian, retirees and Auxiliary personnel who bring
in new members. The program has been around for
years, but it is getting a makeover with a few changes
that make getting recognition easier.
Some of the changes to the program include
recognizing members who bring in a new applicant
even if he or she does not make it through basic
training. Prior versions of the incentive program required
recruits to graduate from basic training. Additionally,
new recognition incentives for civilian employees have
been enacted to include recommendations for a 19-
hour Time Off Award, and recognition for Department
of Defense members who may earn the Commandant’s
Letter of Commendation Ribbon Bar.
The Coast Guard is looking to recruit at least 6,000
active duty, and 1,000 Reserve members. The Coast
Guard’s In-Service Transfer Team is available to
assist active duty members considering transitioning
into Coast Guard Selected Reserve. Applicants may
contact the In-Service Transfer Team at CGR-SMB-
ISTT@uscg.mil.
“Fantastic opportunities exist for those
members looking to depart active duty
but still stay in the Coast Guard,” said
Master Chief Gee Williamson, Master
Chief Petty Officer of the Coast Guard
Reserve. “Active Duty members have
worked hard for their qualifications and
competencies, and those qualifications
and competencies can remain active when
a member joins the Reserve Component.”
“Everyone is a Recruiter” is a simple
concept. The professional recruiting
workforce is small at 315 recruiters serving at
56 recruiting offices across the nation. They
cannot be at every high school career day or
college job fair, which is why members
of the Coast Guard family (active
duty, reserve, Auxiliarists,
civilians and retirees) can
help. The program acts as
an extra hand for recruiters
to reach people who are
genuinely interested in joining the service based on
communication with other members of the Coast
Guard.
Referring members can recruit new applicants by
building interest, listening to what they want and
relating with positive stories. To begin the process, the
referring member should connect the applicant to the
nearest recruiting office, live chat with a recruiter at
GoCoastGuard.com, or email a Coast Guard virtual
recruiter at HQS-DG-CGRC-VirtualRecruiter@uscg.
mil. To receive credit for a referral, the recruited
applicant must submit the “Everyone is a Recruiter
Referral Contact Sheet” with the referring member’s
information to the recruiter. This form is available
through the applicant’s recruiting office. Requests for
recognition must be received within one year of the
referred applicant joining.
To be eligible to receive recognition, potential members
would need to be applicable to the following programs:
active duty enlisted; Reserve enlisted; All Direct
Commission Officer programs; or Officer Candidate
School.
Coast Guard Recruiting Command has developed an
easy-to-use guide with great tips on how to get
involved. Some of these tips include: being
involved in the community; knowing the
GoCoastGuard.com website and
social media sites; knowing the local
recruiters; being ready to answer
questions; being proud to serve; being
available to make presentations; knowing
bounds; unit involvement; and knowing
recruiting needs. Interested personnel can
also register as a Coast Guard Recruiting
Command “Ambassador” to assist with
organized recruiting efforts.
“Remember, in all you do, our people – you – are
our greatest asset and our most powerful
voice as we build our workforce of
the future,” said Williamson.
MCPO-CGR George Williamson
is the senior enlisted member
of the Coast Guard Reserve
and the principal advisor to the
Commandant on all Reserve
enlisted personnel matters.
10 FALL 2020
THE LONG BLUE LINE