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.