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Antonio Carmona: Pre-AIM Interview

Antonio Carmona | July 13, 2024

What made you apply to AIM?

A friend of mine attended AIM last year and told me all about it. After that conversation I decided to do some research. I learned AIM is as close as it gets to the real thing. I applied to AIM because I wanted to experience what it takes to be a cadet at the Coast Guard Academy.

What is the #1 thing you’ve done to prepare for AIM so far?

The number one thing I have done to prepare for AIM is workout every single day. Whether it’s going on runs in the morning or lifting weights with my football team, I always try to worm some physical activities into my day. Besides workout, I researched more about AIM and talked to someone who already went through the experience.

What are you most looking forward to?

I am most looking forward to meeting other potential cadets and making new friends.

Any hesitations about your AIM week?

I’m ready for whatever challenges come my way.

What do your peers think about your service academy aspirations?

Some of my peers encourage me on my aspirations of being a cadet. Since I go to New London High School (which is 5 minutes away from the Academy) I got to meet current cadets and officers. Me and a group of friends who are also interested in the Coast Guard Academy, go up to them and gather as much information as we can.

About Antonio

Hometown: Waterford, CT
Intended Major: Government

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.