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Gianna Banducci: Pre-AIM Interview

Gianna Banducci | September 4, 2024

How did you hear of the Coast Guard Academy?

I heard about the Coast Guard Academy from a senior student at Ramey Unit School last year.

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

The #1 thing I have done to prepare for AIM so far is my physical fitness. I have been working on push ups as well as run conditioning.

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

I believe most of my fellow AIMsters are “career oriented” and “goal driven” like myself. Additionally, I think we are all coming in anxious and nervous not knowing exactly what to expect.

What are you most looking forward to?

I am really looking forward to making connections with my fellow AIMsters, becoming familiar with the Coast Guard Academy campus as well as sailing.

Any hesitations about your AIM week?

I have a few hesitations about AIM, the one that stands out the most is the physical aspect. Although I have worked hard to be prepared, I am unsure if I have done enough. Additionally, I am nervous about the rigorous schedule for the week.

What do your peers think about your service academy aspirations?

My peers are proud of my academy aspirations, they are supportive and excited to see if AIM shows me that this is the right path for my future.

About Gianna

Hometown: Aguadilla, Puerto Rico
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.