The Auxiliary
The Auxiliary is a core component of the US Men’s Academy.
It exists to support the mission, strengthen the Squadrons, and provide a structured place for men to contribute according to their current capacity.
All new members enter the Academy through the Auxiliary.
Purpose of the Auxiliary
The Auxiliary serves three primary functions within the Academy:
Acclimation and Observation
Operational and Community Support
Continuity for Men in Transition
It is not a lesser role.
It is a necessary one.
Entry and Acclimation
The Auxiliary is the entry point for new members.
This phase allows men to:
Learn how the Academy operates
Understand expectations, standards, and culture
Build familiarity with their local Squadron
Demonstrate reliability and alignment over time
Assessment and screening do not occur online.
They occur through participation, conduct, and presence.
The Auxiliary provides space for men to acclimate without being placed immediately into high-responsibility or high-risk roles.
Operational and Community Support
The Auxiliary functions as a standby talent pool that supports both the Squadron and the surrounding community.
During activities or service efforts:
Active Troops may be engaged in physically demanding or higher-risk tasks
Auxiliary members may provide logistical, organizational, and support functions
For example:
Distributing water, food, or supplies
Organizing donation drives and community aid
Assisting with coordination, transport, and staging
Supporting families and affected individuals during service efforts
This division of labor allows the Academy to respond effectively without placing unnecessary risk on unprepared members.
Service takes many forms.
All of them matter.
Continuity for Men in Transition
The Auxiliary also exists to preserve continuity.
Men may temporarily step back from active troop participation due to:
Family obligations
Professional demands
Health or personal challenges
The Auxiliary allows these men to:
Remain connected to their Squadron
Continue contributing where appropriate
Maintain identity and accountability
Return to active participation when ready
Stepping back is not failure.
Disappearing is.
The Auxiliary prevents capable men from being lost during demanding seasons of life.
Relationship to Active Troops
All healthy, capable men are encouraged to move into an active troop when readiness and circumstances allow.
The Academy does not exist to warehouse passive members.
The Auxiliary is:
A beginning
A support role
A temporary holding position
It is not the intended destination for men capable of active service.
Movement into Green, Red, or Blue Troop participation occurs through readiness, need, and leadership judgment, not entitlement or time served.
Squadron Assignment
Auxiliary members are assigned to a local Squadron.
They are not independent or unattached.
This ensures:
Accountability
Local leadership oversight
Meaningful contribution
Clear lines of communication
The Auxiliary exists to strengthen Squadrons, not operate separately from them.
In Summary
The Auxiliary is how the Academy:
Brings men in responsibly
Supports communities effectively
Retains capable men through life’s disruptions
Maintains operational depth and resilience
It is a place to start.
A place to serve.
And, when necessary, a place to stand fast without walking away.
Women and Family Participation
The Auxiliary also provides a structured way for women to support the mission of their local Squadron.
Wives, mothers, daughters, and female community members may participate in the Auxiliary in roles that support logistics, coordination, community service, and family-oriented efforts. Their contributions strengthen Squadron effectiveness and continuity without altering the purpose or structure of the Active Troops.
Active Squadron (SQDN) participation is reserved for men. This preserves the focused, male-only environment required for mentorship, discipline, and the development of responsibility among men and boys.
The Auxiliary allows families to contribute together while maintaining the integrity and function of each role within the Academy.