Home / AIM / AIM BLOGS / Layla Ernst - PRE-AIM INTERVIEW

Colby Stock: Pre-AIM Interview

Colby Stock | July 7, 2024

How did you hear of the Coast Guard Academy?

I heard of the Coast Guard Academy through my dad’s good friend whose son is a rising 2/c at the Academy. He gave me a tour of the campus and I loved it.

Ever since I toured the campus, I’ve had my heart set on going no matter the difficulty.

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

The #1 thing I’ve done to prepare for AIM is training for the PFE. I have trained very intensely to increase my score on the PFE and by doing this it has helped me get in better shape for AIM.

What do you expect to have in common with your fellow AIMsters?

What I expect to have in common with my fellow AIMsters most is a longing to become a cadet at the Academy next fall. Along with that, I believe we will all have a sense of determination, character, and perseverance in everything we do at AIM.

What are you most looking forward to?

I am most looking forward to being able to create new relationships with my fellow AIMsters who could be my future classmates. I am also looking forward to the challenges that lay ahead and trying my best to conquer those challenges and stick out as a good candidate for the Academy. Also, the chance to experience a week in the life of a cadet, participate in leadership training, and connect with like-minded peers who share similar aspirations is very exciting.

Any hesitations about your AIM week?

I am mostly excited for AIM but I do have some hesitations about the intensity of the physical and mental challenges. I am slightly concerned about adapting quickly to the rigorous schedule and the possibility of facing tasks that push me out of my comfort zone. However, I see these challenges as opportunities to grow and develop more as a person.

What do your peers think about your service academy aspirations?

My peers are all very supportive and impressed by my decision to pursue a service academy. They know the commitment and dedication required and always show admiration for my future goal. They also all are curious and ask questions about the application process and what life at a service academy entails which I love to answer.

About Colby

Hometown: Roswell, GA
Intended Major: Mechanical Engineering

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.