Week 7 in the Bank !

I missed any posting last week due to the long weekend and, well, I was just too busy finishing assignments before the long weekend.  Long weekend was great, spent it with Rachel and toured DC, Philadelphia and a little of Fredricksburg, Va.

Week 7 is now in the books and I think “Quantico Fever” has set in for many of us.  Everyone is gearing up to finish the PT challenges and get through the yellow brick road challenge, but everyone is also ready to graduate and go home.   The medical version of QF is making the rounds as well with many of us coughing and stuffy.

The good weather lately has not helped anyone with homesickness.  I think we are all missing home a good deal and its starting to show in our classes.

International night was held this week at the FBI Academy with all international students setting up presentations, hosting food and drink from their own country. It was a great opportunity to experience other cultures up-close and personal. It was a great time, and a great tradition at the FBI NA.

Antonis Antoniou from the Cypress National Police and myself.

John Ndunguste from Uganda and Orlando Toniono from Argentina

Around 300 students, staff, and visitors in attendance

Lets just say at least one of these saucers contained dehydrated grasshoppers.

Around 100 students made the academy trek to New York City on the weekend of the 11^th.  The stories are too many to tell, but photos are going to be available on photobucket sometime soon.

The 248^th was not immune to Super Bowl Weekend as we held our own tailgate in the grove behind the track just prior to the game. The academy then spent the evening in the atrium enjoying the Pats getting beat down.. (close, but a beating none the less)

Well, that is all for now.  This past week we finished the “winged monkey” circuit challenge, and this week will take on the 5.2 miler in preparation for the YBR the following week.  Hopefully, the weather will hold out..  Until next week….

HALFWAY HOME !!!!

Week 5- Halfway

The half-way point is upon the Academy and could not come at a better time.  We can finally see light at the end of the tunnel.   It is amazing how “the little things” can keep you going when things get tough.  Despite being only halfway, the Supervisory Agent of the Academy spent time during an enrichment assembly to cover the “graduation week schedule for week 10”.  My being a student of human behavior, I immediately noticed everyone smiling, talking and once again enjoying the academy.  He essentially “turned the light on” at the end of the tunnel.   Good management lesson for all of us.

 

Last weekend was cold and rainy in the DC area. Despite this, many students spent the weekend traveling, or touring the DC area.  Several students participated in “Polar Plunge” activities for Special Olympics.

I spent the weekend working on assignments, catching up on over 100 emails, and toured the Library of Congress in Washington D.C.  Great exhibits and a real hidden gem among the museums and places to see in the DC area.

Reading room from observation deck at Library of Congress

Library of Congress-  Thomas Jefferson's personal library is housed here and is on display

Monday, for some reason, was extremely tough on all students.  Several cases of “Quantico Flu” were appearing as we seen several students headed to the medical building with flu symptoms, plus some injuries.  So far my room has been lucky....loading large doses of vitamin C, D3 and garlic to try to ward it off.

Tuesday our section resumed medieval torture (in the form of physical training J ) which included some outside footwork drills, and inside for what our instructor calls “Energy System Development”, which is just a fancy term for “Jumping, running, punching, hopping, lunging and flopping on a mat until you are sucking air and light headed”….  Thus.. energy system development.  I am pleased to say that it does in fact work. While not losing any pounds, I have taken up several notches on the belt.  So more “emergency system development” is on the horizon.

Tuesday night all “State Trooper” students from the 248^th treated ourselves to a night at the “Globe and Laurel” steakhouse in Stafford, Virginia.  The restaurant is a historic place owned and operated by Major Richard T. Spooner (Ret.). of the U.S. Marine Corps.   Major Spooner is a WW2 veteran who has been referred to as a “walking history” of the USMC.  Major Spooner lost his wife of 62 years only the day before our dinner, but still took time to come and visit with us and have a cigar.  We passed on the thoughts and prayers of the academy.  Thanks to Danny Moore of the Tennessee Highway Patrol for the photo and to Brian Neiwind of the North Dakota Highway Patrol for setting up the evening. 

 The inside joke at the Academy is that we tried to get some Sheriff’s Department folks to drive us Troopers out for our dinner.  I would like to say that it is completely untrue.  We may have discussed it…. But it never happened J…. Just be sure to ask George DelNagro from the New York State Police about the bumper stickers that mysteriously appeared on his door the following morning that read “support your local Sheriff”…..I believe there were about 30 so I hear.

State Agency students from the 248th having a steak.

Wednesday the academy participated in the “Lions Leap” Challenge of 3.1 miles which quickly changed to around 3.4 miles when we discovered Marines were using the normal trails for training purposes.  The run was tough but everyone finished in 36 minutes or less despite the 38 degree temps.  Unfortunately, the entire run was on asphalt which was not kind to many of our knees, ankles and heels.  A little ice and a few Advil and we were back to class. A 4.2 run (run-walk for most of us) coming up next week.

Students doing an indoor warmup prior to the Challenge.

Wednesday afternoon the academy came together to hear Trooper Bobby Smith of the Louisiana State Police.  If you have never heard Trooper Smith tell his story, you should rush out and buy his book “Visions of Courage”.  This man was amazing and brought many of us to our knees, or at least to tears.  The longer he spoke, the more sniffles and face-wipes you could see across the room.  I noticed almost every student on the phone calling a family member after the presentation… I know I did.

Trooper Bobby Smith, Louisiana State Police

 This truly amazing soul has endured unnatural losses of two (2) children (car accident and drug overdose), been through two divorces, lost his job, was shot in the face while serving as a Trooper in Louisiana and is permanently and totally blind.  Yet he still professes his faith and lives to make law enforcement a truly honorable profession. Trooper Smith was medically retired after he was blinded in a gun fight, but was recently reinstated to the LSP as a Trooper and now travels the country as a motivational speaker. See an article on Bobby’s life at http://www.nola.com/crime/index.ssf/2011/10/louisiana_state_trooper_blinde.html

Trooper Bobby Smith, Louisiana State Police, circa 1980's

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Well, Friday the 10^th marks the end of the halfway point, and graduation is pending one-month from NEXT Friday.  So the light at the end of the tunnel is getting brighter. 

Mine will get brighter this week as the best wife in the world is flying in from Oklahoma for next weekend.  The
 “bucket list”  includes going for a jog on the National Mall.  I hope that we can post some pics together from that adventure.  Until then…. Serve with pride and  keep your powder dry.



WEEK 4 Is in the bag !!!! …. Occupy Quantico!!!

Updating today (Friday) as I missed my two update “days” this week due to homework and other commitments here.

**Condolences to NA Student, Lt. Marvin Butler of the Charles County Sheriff’s Department in Maryland.   Marvin had a tragedy in his family and traveled home this weekend.  We are all hoping things work out and he can return after the weekend.  Prayers to you Marv..... the 7^th Floor Mafia has your back**

Week four is in the bag and we now begin the “halfway” week.  Everyone has really settled into the academy and got into the “routine” of breakfast, class, PT, lunch, class, homework, sleep and repeat.  I have found that getting into the routine really helps speed the week up.

The best part of the week was that we finally got our TV working in the room.... A little Oklahoma engineering with ducktape, a $10 antenna from wal-mart and the metal window frame got us about 10 local channels. All we need is a couple of lawn chairs on the porch, a Weber grill in the front yard, and a redwood deck on our room and we would be set!!

Last weekend I took some personal time to get away from the Marine Base and traveled up the Interstate to the Steven Udvar-Hazy Air and Space Museum at Dulles Airport in DC.  It is much larger and has a better collection than the A&S Museum in D.C.

Nose of the spaceshuttle "Enterprise" at Dulles Airport

The Enola Gay, preserved on display at Dulles

Once I left the museum I decided I would take a walk in D.C.,  Parked the car in Arlington and took the subway into D.C…. and just my luck the train gets stuck for 30 minutes under McPherson Square (Home of the Occupy DC Protest).  I tired of sitting on the train and bailed out taking the opportunity to photograph some of the zoo animals in D.C. Occupy.  The place is pretty nasty.

You could smell human waste for several blocks.

The 248^th had the opportunity on Tuesday to hear a presentation by General Hugh Shelton, former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff for Presidents Clinton and Bush.   General Shelton was the Chair of the Joint Chiefs on 9/11 and told some fascinating stories.  Men of his character, approachability (and wit) are lacking in leadership positions across the country. I look forward to reading his book "Leading Without Hesitation".

Week 4 also included the “Cyclone Challenge” on Wednesday.  The challenge consisted of a 20-minute circuit training exercise with no break between stations except to move from point to point.  High impact stuff.  We made it through the challenge fine and followed the workout with ice, ibuprofen and lunch.  Next week’s challenge is the 3.1-mile “Lions Leap” on the road. My knees and shins are not looking forward to the asphalt. The trails were much better for running. Let us just hope for more good weather.

Deer outside one of the "tubes" that lead from building to building. (Known as "Gerbal" tubes)

More homework this weekend, maybe trip into DC or down to Fredericksburg, laundry, reading, boardroom for milk and cookies in the evening :).... (Kareoke pictures from the boardroom are forbidden by academy rules until graduation or until I get a cash offer from several students, whichever comes first) ... Until Monday,   Lets be careful out there!!