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.