Home / Cadet Blogs / Ready, Set, Swab! It’s Swab Summer Time and Here’s All You Need to Know!

Ready, Set, Swab! It’s Swab Summer Time and Here’s All You Need to Know!

Grace Edmonson | March 13, 2023

Grace Edmonson - 2026

If you’re one of the lucky few who have been accepted into the U.S. Coast Guard Academy, congratulations and welcome! You’re about to embark on an exciting journey that will prepare you for the best, most rewarding college experience out there. But before you can pin on those green shields and become a cadet, you have to make it through Swab Summer. Even though Swab Summer is challenging, I promise that if you buy in and come with a positive attitude, you’ll have the most fun you’ll never want to do again!

Here’s some tips on getting ready for Swab Summer:

Get in shape: Swab Summer is physically demanding, so it’s important to arrive in good physical condition. Start a workout regimen that includes cardio, strength training, and endurance exercises, such as running, swimming, push-ups, and sit-ups. Make sure to also stretch regularly to prevent injuries.
Develop mental toughness: Swab Summer is designed to push you to your limits, both physically and mentally. Remember your why, and come at things with a positive attitude; your cadre can’t keep time from moving, so remember that every minute gets you closer to bed at the end of the day.
Familiarize yourself with the Coast Guard: Before you arrive at the Academy, learn as much as you can about the Coast Guard and the Academy. Read about its ethos, mission, and core values. Try and memorize some rates or ranks if you can, it will pay dividends during the summer.
Get organized: Swab Summer is a busy and chaotic time, so it’s important to stay organized. Practice time-management skills, create a schedule, and develop a system for keeping track of your belongings.
Have fun! I know it sounds corny, but truly try to enjoy the summer. Looking back, I wish I had spent less time worrying about Swab Summer and more time enjoying my last moments of high school. If you want it, you will make it; don’t loose sleep over Swab Summer, it’s only 7 weeks of 200 at the Academy!

Class of 2027, good luck! Come find me during the school year if you ever want to talk. Before you know it, you’ll be taking your boards and getting ready to move to a new company, so savor every moment!

About Grace

Hometown: Marlborough, MA
Major: Cyber Systems
Email: Grace.G.Edmondson@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.