November 24, 1999

Welch takes AIM at Coast Guard

Central High student attends Academy Introduction Mission

By Garret Leiva
Herald editor
       Talk about your first impression. Twenty high school age "blue shirts" being yelled at by a hulking green shirt "Cadre" as the group of Coast Guard "Aimsters" scurry out the Chase Hall barracks.
      It was a scene that made Jonathan Welch contemplate the next seven days as he registered at the United States Coast Guard Academy Introduction Mission (AIM) in New London, Conn.
      "I thought, what have I gotten myself into," recalled the 17-year-old Traverse City resident.
      Spending a part of his summer break more than a 1,000 miles from home, the Traverse City Central High School senior was among 10 Michigan students selected to attend AIM. This one week camp simulates a cadets first year in the United States Coast Guard Academy.
      Admission requirements for the AIM program include: a portfolio which consisted of high school transcript, SAT and ACT scores, personal resume, complete eye exam, six letters of recommendation and copies of awards and recognitions. There were also interviews with three Coast Guard Auxiliary Commanders and two active Commanders from the United States Coast Guard.
      The results from Welch's admission procedure were placed in competition with applicants from throughout the United States. Invitations to the AIM program for the summer of 1999 were issued to 240 students nationwide.
      While Welch passed the grueling admission requirements, the rigors of a simulated "Swab Summer" still awaited him.
      Each day "Aimsters" were rousted out of bed with a 0540 reveille wake-up call. From there it was push-ups, sit-ups, jumping jacks and a two-mile run before breakfast. During each meal, "Aimsters" sought permission to eat or drink at their assigned tables.
      "A couple of nights we were given permission by the officer at the table to 'carry on,' which means you can eat like a normal person and look at your food," Welch noted. "But you still had to ask permission for dessert."
      The rest of the daily schedule consisted of academic lectures, physical training and Academy information. At 2200 a trumpet played taps followed by the sound of heads hitting the pillow for seven hours of shut-eye.
      Aside from learning military time, Welch also experienced competitive marching drills, "quizzes" on indoctrination material and academic lectures. One highlight included a Naval Architecture class in which Welch designed a ship's hull from a block of high density foam. His work won a third place award.
      An equally important lesson was learning the lingo. "Aimsters" had to be "braced up," maintain their eyes "in the boat" and "square corners" while in Chase Hall. Translation: stand at attention, keep your eyes forward and pivot on your outside foot when making a snap turn.
      Aside from acquiring a new language, the AIM camp provided other memorable experiences. Touring a Coast Guard cutter, talking with a HH60 Jayhawk helicopter crew and shaking hands with a Coast Guard admiral during graduation all made lasting impressions on Welch.
      "When I talk about what I want to do, I get a few stares around school," said Welch, who is awaiting word on his U.S. Coast Guard Academy application.
      "Attending (AIM) only helped strengthen my desire that this is what I truly want to do."