COMPASS TEAM SEARCHES FOR MEMBERS

Such changes often point toward the future of a seagoing service. As the Coast Guard embraces the 21st century, diversity initiatives are more critical than ever. That’s exactly why the Coast Guard’s COMPASS Team seeks to recruit more reservists.

The Compass team allows the United States Coast Guard headquarters staff to extend its reach into new communities to educate diverse populations about Coast Guard missions and opportunities. Actively telling the Coast Guard story allows the team to reach beyond the scope of traditional efforts to engage civilian, active duty and reservist members unaware of our service missions. Having reservist participants from a wide spectrum of rates allows the story to be told by those who do the work.

The team generates enthusiasm and conveys the importance of achieving a Coast Guard workforce closely reflecting the communities we serve. The program includes annual training for teams, examines barriers to hiring and develops strategies for reaching beneath the surface. Research provides Compass team members with techniques for filling gaps in diversity across all facets of the Coast Guard.

The team’s role becomes clear when you look at recent U.S. population shifts. During the past 10 years, Hispanics have increased 58 percent, African Americans by 12 percent, Asians by 107 percent and

majority groups by less than 10 percent, according to Census Bureau statistics.  This unprecedented and rapid fire change is the basis for the decision to spread the word about Coast Guard opportunities.

Initiated in 1999, the Compass Diversity Outreach Program reaches out to minority communities in literally every compass point of American demography. A core team of Coast Guard volunteers, representing a diverse mix of ethnicity, race, gender, rank, rate, age and geographical backgrounds is now staffed by more than 170 people including civilians, active duty, auxiliarists and reservists. Coordination with local recruiting offices allows the Coast Guard to reach targeted communities with greater regularity.

"Our team attempts to break down barriers to access perceived by potential employees and recruits," said Capt. Jean Butler, Deputy Director of Personnel. "By providing tools to reach critically diverse communities, and arming team members with information about outreach and recruitment, we are shoring up the readiness of our future workforce."

A recent training session in Milwaukee, Wis. infused a 50-member team with new ideas and strategies.

"Some of the items developed were creative ways to reach today's youth, and to portray the Coast Guard in a viable, relevant career option," said LCDR. Necia Chambliss, outgoing program manager. Her sentiments were echoed by Butler.

"This has a direct impact on future generations," she said. "It allows us to reach into the future and point the Coast Guard in a direction that is representative of our communities."

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 For more information, log onto: www.uscg.mil/diversity/compass, or call: 202-267-6237