VIRGINIA MILITARY INSTITUTE AUP

HISTORY

VMI alumni have been serving in the Coast Guard for decades, but there has never been an official Coast Guard program at the Institute. In the Fall of 2021 Stephen DeCoster ‘22 and Aidan Simmons ‘23 decided that VMI needed an organization to support Cadets who wished to enter the Coast Guard upon graduation. With interest in an official Coast Guard program growing, Stephen and Aidan selected a handful of Cadets from the Class of 2023 to be placed in various leadership positions and everyone began to work at building the program.

The Virginia Military Institute Coast Guard Auxiliary University Program started in 2021 as the “Coast Guard Club”. With the help of AUP Staff, Auxiliary members, and VMI Commandant Staff, the Coast Guard Club earned official AUP status in June 2022, less than a year after its founding. In 2023, the VMI AUP expanded to 40+ members representing all classes at the Institute and successfully helped 4 Cadets receive direct commissions through the DCSS, DCE, and SRDC programs.

TRAINING

While not an ROTC program, the AUP Unit operates in a similar way to ROTCs at VMI. Monday 1600 – 1730 and Wednesday 0600 – 0700 the AUP conducts Physical Training Time (PTT). Select Saturdays 0800 – 1200 the AUP gathers for Control Time (CT) where guest speakers talk to Cadets or training is conducted. Once each semester the AUP participates in a Field Training Exercise (FTX) that spans multiple days and provides Cadets with hands-on experience with Active-Duty Coast Guard units.

WHY VMI?

Best College: The Virginia Military Institute holds the status as the toughest military college in the nation. VMI has a unique freshman indoctrination system that surpasses all other Senior Military Colleges and the Academies in mental and physical rigor. Upon graduation from the Institute, over half of each class commissions into a branch of the Armed Forces. The VMI Alumni Association is second to none and constantly provides support to alumni and Cadets for the rest of their lives.

Best Opportunities: By attending VMI you are eligible for the Direct Commission Selected Schools (DCSS) program. The DCSS program is a path to commissioning that is reserved exclusively for Senior Military Colleges (SMC). If you choose to major in Civil and Environmental Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical and Computer Engineering, or Computer and Information Science you will also be eligible for the Direct Commission Engineer (DCE) program.

Best Experiences: Being a member of the VMI AUP will provide unparalleled training and leadership opportunities from Day 0 to Commencement. The AUP is 100% Cadet-led and Cadet-run. This allows Cadets to practice true leadership and management. Taking on a leadership role within the AUP comes with more responsibility and freedom than any ROTC position can offer.

MISSION STATEMENT

It is the mission of the Virginia Military Institute Auxiliary University Program to produce well-rounded Cadets with the purpose of acquiring a commission or enlistment in the United States Coast Guard. The program shall provide opportunities for Cadets to expand on their leadership experiences and build a foundation of values they will carry into their careers as Coast Guard women and men. These values consist of, but are not limited to, honor, selflessness, courage, commitment, and accountability.  

STAFF AND 1/C CADET LEADERSHIP

CSM Rubenstein (Army Retired)

VMI Commandant Staff Liaison

CDR At Lee (Coast Guard Retired)

Coast Guard Auxiliary Liaison

LTJG Cordle ‘20

Coast Guard Active-Duty Liaison

Aidan Simmons ‘23

Commanding Officer

Aidan Rice ‘23

Executive Officer

Connor Smith ‘23

Member Training Officer

Sarah Robertson ‘23

Public Relations Officer

JOIN US

VMI Website: https://www.vmi.edu/

FOLLOW US

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vmi_uscg/