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Home / Academics / Academic Majors / Government / Government Featured Cadet: Taylor Holland

Taylor Holland

Springs, AR – Class of 2018 Major: Government

 

Taylor Holland chose the Government major because he’s always been interested in how governments and people interact. He knew studying at the Coast Guard Academy would give him a unique and in-depth look at government, as the Academy is a component of the Department of Homeland Security.

On his area of interest

“I’ve especially enjoyed the focus on Middle Eastern affairs and how the U.S. has interacted in that region over the past decades. I’ve spent a lot of time studying Kurdish regions and have been able to meet classmates from around the world who have assisted in my studies.”

On an experienced faculty

“The experience of the faculty is incredible. I have professors who have worked in embassies, who are cuttermen by trade, and who are attorneys. It seems like every instructor has written their doctorate on some Coast Guard-related mission, which all cadets can easily identify with.”

On a real-world education

“The Government major is very contemporary, as we focus on subjects that are currently happening in the global arena. I was able to attend the Naval Academy Foreign Affairs Conference this semester, and I had the opportunity to meet with individuals from across the globe and talk about current issues.”

On valuable communication skills

“The Government major teaches you how to talk to people, and how to make your points concise and clear. That will be our job as ensigns – we are there for our people. By developing communication skills here at the Academy, we will be able to better serve these men and women in the future.”

Sponsor Family Application

Thank you for submitting your application to be part of the Sponsor Family Program. Your application will be processed in the upcoming week. Coast Guard Academy’s policy on background screening now requires all adults (everyone 18 and older living in the home) who volunteer to mentor, teach, coach or sponsor cadets, whether on or off Coast Guard Academy grounds, to be screened every 5 years. They are required to provide personal information (name, birth date and social security number) for the purpose of conducting a criminal background check.

The Security Officer at the Coast Guard Academy, CWO2 Gina Polkowski, is overseeing this process. Her email is: Gina.M.Polkowski@uscg.mil.

Sponsor Family designations fall into several different categories. Below are the guidelines to help you determine how best to meet the background screening requirement:

  1. If you are Coast Guard active duty you do not need to apply for an additional Background Check. You will be vetted through the Coast Guard system by CWO2 Polkowski.
  2. If you are a Civilian working for the Coast Guard you do not need to apply for an additional Background Check. You will be vetted through the Coast Guard system by CWO2 Polkowski.
  3. If you are non-Coast Guard Active Duty, you are required to provide proof of your current security clearance or National Agency Check that is to be emailed by your Command Security Officer (CSO)/ Security Office to CWO2 Polkowski at  Gina.M.Polkowski@uscg.mil.
  4. If you are non-Coast Guard civilian who has a current security clearance or National Agency check, you are required to provide proof of your current security clearance or National Agency Check that is to be emailed by your Command Security Officer (CSO)/ Security Office to CWO2 Polkowski at  Gina.M.Polkowski@uscg.mil.
  5. All civilians in the families who are 18 years or older and do not have a security clearance or a National Agency Check are required to be vetted through Mind Your Business, the third party vendor hired by the Coast Guard Academy for the vetting process.

After you complete your application, please e-mail the Sponsor Family Program Coordinator at CadetFamilySponsorProgram@uscga.edu. In your e-mail, you must include the e-mail address and phone number of every adult living in the home. The Sponsor Family Coordinator will then initiate the background check process and you will receive an email with further instructions.

Important things to note:

There is a Sponsor Family Training that is a one-hour training which we ask sponsors to attend once every four years. This training is designed to give you an overview of the program, what is expected of you as a sponsor, and what you can expect from your cadets. This training will also help familiarize you with the cadet regulations onboard CGA. You will be notified via e-mail once the training is scheduled.

The matching process of swabs to families will occur during July and August. Please bear with us and remain flexible through this process. There will be a meet and greet scheduled on Campus, typically in late August. This will give families an opportunity to formally meet their cadet if they have not already done so. Details on this will also be via email.

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