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Center for Arctic Study and Policy

The Center for Arctic Study & Policy (CASP) develops and executes research and analysis to support U.S. Coast Guard missions and national policy and strategic objectives in the Arctic. The Center helps stakeholders work together – including specialists from academia, government, indigenous peoples and organizations, non-governmental organizations, industry, international allies and partners, and the U.S. Coast Guard.

CASP supports Coast Guard interests in the Arctic through research, partnerships, and education. These efforts are focused on Coast Guard presence in the Arctic – to ensure safe, secure, and environmentally responsible maritime activity in this complex, changing environment.

At the Academy, CASP leads interdisciplinary efforts in the academic division, with Coast Guard sponsors and external partners, to develop solutions to maritime challenges in this region. CASP is situated in the Academy’s Office of Scholarship, Research, and Innovation.

CASP News and Initiatives

Vice Adm. Steven Poulin to Speak at August 2021 Artic eTalks

Polar Guardians: Coast Guard Icebreaking in the HIgh Latitudes

New federal Arctic policy includes focus on health, environment infrastructure

Read CASP's update in this month's CGA Alumni Association Bulletin

CASP met with a delegation from Japan to gain insight into Japan's Arctic interests

CASP News and Initiatives

Icebreakers are niche
vessels, but security,
diplomatic value is high

Newport Arctic Scholars
Report No. 2 Available

Polar Insights 01-24
A Not-so-Ice-free
Arctic Ocean

Dr. Lawson Brigham
recognized as
High North Hero for 2024

2024
Dr. Vlietstra presents at
Arctic Frontiers 2024

2024
Arctic Frontiers
Emerging Leaders Program AAR

2023
Arctic Circle Assembly
Reykjavík, Iceland

2023 Arctic Emerging Leaders Program AAR

US Arctic Policy and the US Coast Guard

Contact Information

Center for Arctic Study and Policy

Anthony Russell

Executive Director
Anthony.L.Russell@uscga.edu

Troy Castineira

Administrative Support
(860) 444-8608
Troy.A.Castineira@uscga.edu

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.