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Home / Admissions / International Cadets / Featured International Cadet: Shawna-Marie Sinclair

Shawna-Marie Sinclair

St. Ann, Jamaica Major: Government (International Relations) Sports/Clubs: Women’s Rugby, International Council, Genesis Council, APAC

1/c Shawna-Marie Sinclair

My experience differs slightly from most cadets because I did not independently apply to the Academy. I joined the Jamaica Defense Force (JDF) in Jamaica as an officer. While training to become an officer, I was told by my superior that there was a 4-year long course that they would apply for on my behalf. The opportunity to earn a degree upon graduation and my competency and determination made them believe I could complete the four years. Upon selection, I conducted my research on the Academy. I realized there is nowhere else I would rather be than a place that will value my differences, and develop my expertise and competency both professionally and mentally, so I was happy to get an appointment.

Swab Summer was challenging—being in a new environment, learning everything new, and feeling awkward because I did not grow up the way my classmates did. I learned about the culture as time progressed, and it all became easier. In addition, I was not fluent in my English-speaking skills. Presenting in front of a large group of people, being at the Academy, has helped me mature in a way that I am comfortable with public speaking.  Also, with all the combined demands of academics, military, and sports, the Academy is designed to be difficult because when we graduate and enter the fleet, there will be instances where we will be challenged and have limited time to complete a task. So training us to have all these obligations with limited time, will become essential further down the line.

If you are considering applying to the Academy, please do not hesitate to do so because this is one of the most rewarding life-changing experiences anyone could ask for. It will be challenging, you will face the challenge of juggling academic, sports, and military responsibilities, along with the unique experience of adapting to a new culture and potentially feeling homesick. However, stay resilient and lean on the support of others, such as your peers, instructors, company officers and chief, and the Academy community overall. Remember, while being a student and a military member is challenging, this combination builds the kind of courageous leadership the military needs. Join the many extracurricular activities and clubs the Academy has to offer so that you can build bonds with different people. Finally, remember to have fun!

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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