Week Three and Memorial Service

The 248^th Session of the FBI National Academy held a class service at the National Law Enforcement Memorial in Washington DC on Wednesday January 25.  The event marked the first visit to the memorial site for many students, including those students from international agencies.

A special thanks to the Lieutenant James O’Sullivan (248^th, Section 6) for handling arrangements for the Chesapeake Sheriff’s Office Honor Guard to present the colors. Trina Washington of Chesapeake SO also blessed us with the National Anthem. Two other students, Vincent Ayub and Colm Magnor assisted with Bagpipes along with the D.C. Police Pipe and Drum Corps.

Giving opening remarks and invocation

The event was an opportunity for students of the 248^th Session to pay respects to fallen friends and co-workers from our agencies. While the weather was indeed cold, the service was a great opportunity to remember those who gave the last full measure of devotion.  During my turn at roll-call I called the name of our last fallen Trooper, Captain George Green, end of watch, Tuesday,October 26, 2010.

Many students have commented about the dignified service and discussed the possibility of coming back during National Police Week.  There were not many dry eyes at the event as any of you could only imagine. Many students took time to remember fallen co-workers, friends and even family members in some cases. The event has become an NA tradition that we all hope continues.

Academy life continues to move-on, we are now in the middle of the third week.  More rubber band torture (See earlier posts), mat drills and running on tap for this week.  

The academy finished this week’s challenge of a 2.6 mile trail run known here as the “Tin Man Trott”. I can tell you from personal experience that 2.6 miles on a trail, at a slow pace, is MUCH better than 1.8 miles up and down these Virginia hills at a fast run pace. Several deer grazed near the trails which circle Lake Lunga on MBQ (Marine Base Quantico)

The challenge next Wednesday is a 20 minute circuit drill known as “The Cyclone”. My PT class rehearsed it this morning and none of us lasted more than 13:30 without a break, so….. more training, ice packs, bio-freeze and Advil between now and next Wednesday.

Classes are still very good. The information is timely and well organized.  Labor Law and Legal Update classes may sound boring, but they are actually very informative and, at times, entertaining.

I have never been around a more accepting and professional group of students than here. The thing that sticks in my mind is that law enforcement problems are universal. Every agency thinks their problems are unique, but they are not.  All agencies, big, small or international seem to have the same problems. We have spent a lot of time sharing and comparing solutions and management tools for solving problems. (Enough deep thinking for the night)

Trying to decide where to venture this weekend…   Next blog is Monday the 30^th !!!! Until then…lets  be careful out there.

Week 3 and Going Strong...

Week 2 has come and gone, Week 3 is now upon us.

I see the weather reports from home (50’s and 60’s) and get a little homesick. We had a storm  move through this weekend bringing snow, ice, rain and 30 degree temperatures. Not my idea of good weather. 

The only thing that made the weather better this weekend is the few moments I got to spend each night on Skype with my most wonderful wife...  (Smile Sweetie)

Field trip to Annapolis (U.S. Naval Academy) was cancelled this weekend due to icy road conditions.  So a few of us went to a “back up plan” and, after a short drive to the Metro station, caught the subway into D.C. for some site seeing.  

Lieutenant Bryan Paulsen from Washburn, Wisconsin and myself made the trek to the Museum of American History, Ollie’s Trolley for a burger, then to the new museum at Ford’s Theatre.  We then returned to Quantico and took in a movie with several other students.

LT Bryan Paulsen,  Washburn, Wisconsin

The Annapolis trip has been postponed until later in the Academy when (and if) the weather improves.  I really want to see the retiring of the colors at sunset. We were told it is an amazing sight.

Annapolis trip being cancelled on Saturday

This week brings a full week of classes, 8 hours of classroom every day,  along with a 2.6 mile challenge run, and a memory service at the Law Enforcement Memorial in Washington D.C. on Wednesday night.  Yours truly will be giving the invocation and helping with the event.

It is an opportunity to for all academy students to remember our friends and partners who gave the last full measure of devotion.  Hopefully, I can post pictures of this event on Thursday.

P.T. is fun, but brutal. Due to the weather we cannot get outside as much for PT so cardio-stations in the gym, and hi-impact mat exercises are the norm for now. Knees hurt bad, but a little ibuprofen and a little ice each day has kept me going.

The academy itself has increased in population… the regular academy class, the national academy, an FBI analyst school, and a law enforcement executive development class are all in the same facility. Below are a few photos of the week..

Gen. George Washington's dress blues on display at the Museum of American History. Rescued from Mount Vernon in 1812.

My study group.  (L to R) Pat Dumais of the ATF, Timmy Springer of the Royal Barbados Police, Matt Harshberger of Pittsfield, MI, and Wayne Stewart of Kansas City, Missouri PD.

Other study groups working in the "crossroads" lounge

Outside Ford's Theatre in Washington D.C., Saturday January 21, 2012

Undersheriff (and resident entertainer) Herman T. Jones of Shawnee County, Kansas

   I will post some memorial photos on Thursday.. until then..  "Lets be careful out there"

Flag Night and First PT Challenge

Greetings and (ouch!) salutations from Marine Base Quantico and the 248th Session of the FBI National Academy..

The "ouch" stems from the first week of regular PT.  Many of us have discovered muscle groups long forgotten and rarely used.  Moreover, John, our PT instructor, seems to take some weird satisfaction in having us perform some very painful things with nothing more than a big rubber band.  I think its normally called a "fitness band" but somewhere in the back of my mind I can see this thing being used as some sort of medieval torture device.  Nevertheless, it IS PT and it IS good for us all so we will survive it.

The 248th performed its first challenge on Wednesday with an Academy wide run of 1.8 miles, other wise known at the "We're not in Kansas Anymore" challenge.    I have quickly discovered that 1.8 miles on flat smooth terrain in Oklahoma is much different than 1.8 miles up hills, down hills, and in a wind chill of 25 degrees in Virginia. None the less, we all finished. It was great to see everyone huddled around the finish line cheering their academy brothers and sisters at the finish. 

Next up is the 2.6 mile "Tin Man Trot" trail run challenge.  I will be posting pictures as we finish the challenges each Wednesday.

Week 2 is almost in the books but not quiet finished.  We had a great day in Labor Law and Legal courses today with a brief time-out in the middle for rubber-band torture and lunch. :)  The weekend will include a field trip to Annapolis, Maryland for a tour of the U.S. Naval Academy, homework and laundry.  Make no mistake about it... this is not a vacation.

Every FBI Academy session hosts a flag night. The event is an opportunity for the regular FBI Students and DEA students to "get to know" law enforcement leaders from the state they will be assigned when they graduate.

The event is also an opportunity for all students to trade patches, business cards, pens, etc..  Our flag night was a great event that turned into a party. Everyone had a great time trading gifts and stories....

The Oklahoma delegation at the Academy.  Blake Annis from Bixby PD, Michelle Robinette from Tulsa County, and myself at our "Oklahoma" table under the Oklahoma State Flag on flag night.  We sported patches, cards, pins, stickets, ice scrapers, key chains and an assortment of swag from the Great State of Oklahoma.

My roommate Mike Walker from Gardendale, Alabama (Where?) along with Kate from Hong Kong, and other NA Students on flag night.

Myself and a fellow NA Student from the Jordanian National Police Force with the Jordanian flag.

NA Students on flag night.

Looking forward to touring the USNA this weekend. I will be updating this post on Monday.... Until then, stay safe.

WEEK 1' IS IN THE BOOKS...

One down...nine to go.

Week one is in the books and while graduation day seems so far away, time is beginning to speed up. Courses are long and assignments are time consuming but all classes are taught by top-notch instructors and foremost experts who keep things interesting.  I have no classes that I dread... every class is good and all the instructors are dynamic.

Finished three writing and research assignments this weekend. I have not written in "APA" style since college so I have been burning up the Internet looking for APA material, guidelines and help.  Thank the Almighty for "bibme.com" and some of the APA style help sites.  Labor law, computer crimes, emotional intelligence and PT are in the works tomorrow.  Looking forward to it all (Well....except maybe for PT :)

Discovered Skype and a PC camera to help with homesickness. $9 at Wal-Mart and I was up and running. Computer cameras are great things !!!!!

While I spent Saturday doing homework, Sunday doing laundry and organizing, I spent Monday driving around and along with several other FBI students, toured the 'National Museum of the Marine Corps.'  I came away impressed with a great museum.  Huge place as most of the displays are life sized. Took lots of photos..

Exterior shot of the USMC Museum....

Life sized displays everywhere...

Photo below is the ACTUAL flag that was raised at Iwo Jima in the famous photo. This is the flag from the 'second" raising that was used in the photo that is familiar to everyone....

Me,  standing by a beam that was salvaged from the World Trade Center on Sept 11, 2001...

NA Students viewing the exhibits........

NA Student Les Buckley from the South Australia Police says you better behave !!!!  :)



Looking forward to week two and moving toward graduation... I will follow with a post on Thursday... so long to all.

Week 1- Long Days

The NA staff told us the first few weeks would go slow and all of us finally believe them.  The Days are long and sometimes difficult to manage but everyone pitches in to help their neighbor and we get through the day.

I have had the pleasure of meeting many professional law enforcement executives from around the world, each with their own set of problems and their own personalities. However, the most rewarding experience thus far has been meeting so many people from so many different cultures and backgrounds.

I began keeping notes on all the great people I have met. A sampling of students at the academy includes many war veterans, a police chief from one of the largest agencies in the world, a former competitor on "fear factor", a student whose wife was recently wounded in the line of duty, a student who up in a carnival, international students who "paid their own way" to the academy, a student who is a top government official in their home country, and others who are among the best law enforcement leaders in the world.

Among these professionals is a student known as "Hawkeye".  I will let you figure out where the name comes from on your own..

The weekend is just around the corner as we wrap up the first week at NA248. Several of the students that live nearby are traveling home. Many of us will stay behind and work on research papers, laundry and workouts.  A trip to the U.S. Marines Museum down the road from the academy may be in the mix for Sunday. 

The signup for a "field trip" to NYC was held after dinner tonight. The line stretch around the "crossroads diner".  Having been to NYC myself on several occasions I skipped the opportunity so that someone else, who has never seen NYC, could have the opportunity to go. I may hold out for the Philadelphia trip in February.  Right now I am looking forward to working through the courses, and getting a visit from my bride in February.



A few students relaxing after hours at "The Grove" or "out back" as we say in Oklahoma.....

Photo from the entrance...

Those of you that are attending the academy, or have gone through other academies you will understand the meaning of this photo...

Enough for now... time for..bed and reading....  so long until after the weekend.

Monday 1/9/12

0600 came early on the east coast especially for those of us from the middle of the country.  I really feel sorry for some of the guys from the left coast. (Cali and Hawaii).  Their body clocks feel like they are getting work up at 2am. 

Orientation day went very smooth. It is obvious the FBI training staff is well versed in the "processing" portions of training administration. Every base was covered and every contingency was discussed at some point today.  Lots of paperwork, emergency contact cards, questionnaires, etc etc. paperwork was in addition to briefings by the FBI Security Police, National academy associates group, FBI Training Unit Chief and others.  Everyone wanted a piece of us today.

We received a fairly significant lecture concerning the areas we are allowed to photograph and the areas we are not allowed to photograph.  I deny any knowledge of photos from classified areas of the Marine Base (See me after the academy...)  Nor will I post them (until after graduation, that is.... only if I had possession of them which I do not)

The highlight of the day came at nearly 3pm when a fairly heavy snow begin to fall. (see view below from my room) Most of us simply groaned, but the fun came when all of the students from places such as Hawaii, California, Hong Kong, middle east, South America and other warm climate locations all pressed their noses to the glass to watch the snow fall.   I counted at least 20 people that were rushing outside with their camera to witness their first snowstorm.

Our "section" of the academy came together this morning. Approximately 48 people in our section representing 32 states, and 5 foreign countries.  International students include police command officials from Belgium, Cypress, Australia, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Texas ( :) )

Class tomorrow begins in ernst...  0800 Executive Leadership, 10:30 Emotional Intelligence analysis, 1330 Computer crimes, 1530 Legal Block, followed by some light and refreshing exercise.


For now... its time for bed.... 
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Check in Day Photos

Weather in Quantico VA was unseasonably warm, about 60 degrees when I arrived. All the counselors were laughing at us and made sure we knew the weather "would not last" in any case.  A few photos after check-in....

First Post- Check In Day !!!!

Well,....  22 hours of driving,  about 10 cups of really bad coffee,  wafflehouse, McDonalds, and "The Country Inn" in Knoxville and Woodbridge VA, and I am finally here... Marine Base Quantico (VA) for the 248th session of the FBI National Academy.

I will be posting on a regular basis (I hope) and will keep it updated at least a couple of times a week with photos, comments, anecdotes and anything else I can do.

A couple of notes from check-in day--

*Getting an AT&T signal here is like Rocky Balboa chasing that chicken in "Rocky I".  You gotta stand on one foot, lean into the wind, hold a metal coat hanger in your teeth and hop in order to get a signal.... 1st stop tomorrow will be off-base at the local Verizon store for a doper phone. (Known outside the law enforcement community as a pre-pay phone)..  Seems Verizon is truly the only carrier here.  I had hoped my new souped up Android Skyrocket with 4G would work, but apparently Verizon could give a crap less....  Anyway-  Prepay doper phone on the agenda tomorrow.

*Check-in was seemless except for the poor little guy that came in the door directly from the airport after a 20+ hour flight from Vietnam,  no english, and first trip to the U.S.  A couple of us helped get him situated but things were pretty comical for a while.  Luckily everyone here is very professional and willing to help each other and we got Tuan (I think thats his name) checked in, fed, and taken to his room.

*I all ready miss my Rachel (and yes, the pups to).  I will be relieved when I get to see her again in a few weeks. Meanwhile..... Verizon phone and lots of calls.

*Dinner was not bad.... not good....but not bad....Fish, Veggies, grapes and an orange.  Gatorade and water to drink..  followed by.... yes another really bad cup of coffee.

I will try and post photos on Monday if I can get the wireless here to cooperate with my department computer...

Until then.... :)