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Thankful for a Strong Community

Christian Salayon | December 14, 2022

One thing that I love about the Academy is the strong community that continues to grow with time. As I was thinking about this, I realized how awesome it is to be able to connect with my shipmates, teachers, and mentors in a real and genuine way. Just the other day as I was squaring around Chase, I randomly struck up a greeting to a 1/c standing as the Officer of the Day. This small spontaneous interaction sparked a conversation that I was able to learn from and keep with me throughout the day.

The fact that I could go to anyone and have a conversation welcomed, especially as a 4/c, is something I feel gets taken for granted at times. I feel that If I were to have gone to a traditional college, I would not have the opportunity to listen in on the wisdom of upperclassmen, nor would I have had the courage to speak to everyone so freely as I do here. I find that these frequent quality interactions greatly improved my morale and confidence. Just being able to sit with someone new at dinner and leaving with a new friend or mentor is something I look forward to doing every day.

Additionally, the community that forms as a result of the easy interactions around Chase Hall is one I absolutely love. It is incredibly validating and uplifting to have a meh day and have a 3/c greet me by name and engage in friendly conversation that cheers me up. When times are tough, I could not be more thankful for the amazing community that I find myself surrounded with constantly.

About Christian

Hometown: Woodbridge, VA
Major: Mechanical Engineering
Email: NapoleonChristi.B.Salayon@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.