My name is LT Ximena Johnson and over the summer I had the opportunity to participate in the 2020 Academy Introduction Mission (AIM) as an Active Duty Partner, to provide information to high school students who expressed interest in applying to the Coast Guard Academy. My job was to provide a realistic view of the organization, the CGA, and my experience as a Hispanic female in the Coast Guard.
In each AIM week, there were approximately 65 students, divided into platoons led by a Cadre of Cadets. While attending AIM, students were able to learn about the Coast Guard and the Coast Guard Academy. Normally the students would be at the Academy for one week to explore the campus and learn on-site about Academy life. However, because of the safety risks posed by COVID-19, the Coast Guard Academy Admissions Department developed a comprehensive and meticulous plan in which multiple virtual meetings were conducted via Microsoft Teams. Additionally, the AIM Cadre developed a series of high quality videos, designed to provide the students with fitness instructions, educational information about USCG history, missions, and life as a CGA cadet. I think the AIM Cadre and CGA Admissions successfully delivered useful information to the students, giving them the opportunity to learn about life in the Coast Guard, its missions, and the educational opportunities available at the CG Academy.
