3 add on's about sponsor families. "In case anyone was curious".
1. It isn't mandatory. There's a lot of cadets that don't have sponsor families. Either they don't see a need for one; their real family doesn't live that far away if they need something or want to get away for a weekend (When available); or they have no problem bonding with other cadets and help each other out.
2. Many; I won't say all, most, etc. but a good many; that do have sponsor families, only use them their first year at the academy. It's someone from the outside that they can visit, talk to, get advice from, etc. But by the 2nd year on, many of the cadets have a good handle on their environment. They spend most of their free time with other cadets doing things. They don't need any type of family to help. "Basically; they've started growing up".
3. Finally; if you are involved with IC sports; you're a recruited athlete; most of the teams "Take care of their own". My son was an IC football player. The TEAM "Coaches and other cadet players"; MET them at the academy on I-Day. Briefed them and families; told them what to expect; etc. then lead them to inprocessing. During doolie day out, the players went to the coach's house for bar-b-que. During the year, if a player needed to talk to someone, the coaches were there for them. On a more personal level. Not just for sports. Point is, the IC Sports are a "Family of their own".
So if anyone doesn't feel like a sponsor family is for them, that's ok. It's not mandatory.