Home / Academics / Academic Majors / Mechanical Engineering / Mechanical Engineering Featured Cadet: Alex Broomfield

Alex Broomfield

Duluth, Georgia – Class of 2019 Major: Mechanical Engineering

When Alex Broomfield was younger, he always wanted to know how things worked and how they were made. So when it came time to choose a college major, he decided on Mechanical Engineering, a degree that would challenge him intellectually, as well as provide a well-rounded understanding of the world around him.

On the opportunity to apply learning

“Mechanical engineering requires intuition and the ability to take something learned in the classroom and apply it to something bigger than just a textbook problem. I enjoy seeing how the things that I learn in higher-level math classes, like differential equations or multivariable calculus, show up and have a real-world application in classes like Dynamics or Fluids.”

On learning time management

“Every class has its own challenges, but the biggest one is always time management. Each class requires work outside the classroom to fully grasp the concepts necessary to succeed in the course, and balancing that work is a challenge.”

On preparation for the Coast Guard

“With a degree in Mechanical Engineering, I feel confident that I could report onto any Coast Guard cutter, walk into the engine room, and have a working understanding of the machinery and systems. I feel I could be an active participant in technical conversations onboard the cutter, which will be a valuable skill to have as an engineer.”

On life beyond the Coast Guard

“Looking outside the Coast Guard, having a degree in Mechanical Engineering will demonstrate my ability to learn rigorous material as well as my competency with technical topics, which would be valuable to any employer, regardless of the field.”

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:

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.
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.
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.
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.
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.