WEEK 9 AND THE YELLOW BRICK

Week nine is over and we are deep into week 10 with VERY little left to do except graduation practice and graduation.  All “A”’ grades in classes with the car packed and facing west.

Our class completed the final challenge (The infamous Yellow Brick Road) on Wednesday (followed by plenty of recovery of Thursday and Friday).  I initially tried to keep a disposable camera with me but soon realized that it would be soaked most of the time. In hindsight I should have gotten a disposable “dive” camera that is waterproof.  Oh, well, I was able to salvage a few pics and obtain pictures from others.

The “Yellow Brick Road” is the U.S. Marines Endurance Course on Marine Base Quantico. The course is 6.2 miles long including a 3 mile run back to the academy (uphill all the way I might add).   It’s known as the “E” Course and is owned and maintained by the USMC.  The number of tombstones I saw along the way was my first clue. Nevertheless we only had a few minor injuries and everyone finished.

Rock wall climb

Preparing to take off !

The bear pit

The Brick after Fit Test

Spent Saturday the 10^th doing some final touring. Among the stops were Arlington National Cemetery. 

Midway to the Lee House facing east toward the U.S. Capital

Week 10 and graduation is upon us. The biggest enemy around here for the time being is boredom and homesickness for everyone.  I think we all got a boost on Sunday when we realized it was time to pack. Not sure how I will survive without the Tilapia and Veggies twice a day, but I am sure I will find a way.

We took the FBI fit test on Tuesday the 13^th . I was able to improve in every category and dropped about 16 along the way so I am happy.  Now the trick is to keep it up and stick with their program here.

That is all for now. The week is winding down toward graduation, my wife Rachel arrives on Wednesday and we will take a mini-vacation back to God’s Country in Oklahoma after graduation on Friday.  Hope to have a post after graduation with some pics.   Until then… it’s been good.

8 Weeks…..and the Journey to Oz

8 weeks through the window and everyone at MCB Quantico are ready for week 9, then a quick week 10 with few classes and lots of packing time. (Not to mention families arriving on the Wednesday)

Week 8 was among the longest since we have been here.  A full week of classes, a couple of early finals and the most challenging physical training to date.  The week made for some interesting times in the board room, and everyone is glad this week is over.

 

You can tell that tensions and anxiety are getting high as more and more of us are at the brink but thoughts of graduation around the corner has kept most of us “going” through the tough times.

Final test (comprehensive final) in Legal was this past week (I made a 97) with two more finals next week in Labor law, and a couple of presentations in Executive Leadership and Computer Crimes classes.  Final paper for Emotional Intelligence was submitted last week so I am 100% caught up and ready to roll out of here.  Right now, nothing sounds better than home.  Lots of graduate credits I can take home so I am not complaining.  Just glad this is coming to an end.

We had an interesting week in P.T. beginning with a tough workout on Tuesday.  This week’s PT Challenge was known as the “JOURNEY TO OZ”  which consisted of a timed 5.2 mile trail run through the Marine base in a driving rainstorm, in 40 degree weather, with Marine corps rifle fire in the distance…..The trails were flooded, some knee deep, and the hills were slick with mud and leaves but this 47 year old fat boy got’her done in 62 minutes.  Passing was 80 minutes or less therefore, I was very happy.  My shoes and PT gear did not fare so well, but the trail run was a lifetime event that I will never forget.

While we all limped around on Thursday after the trail run on Wednesday, our PT Instructor, John VanVorst (from the Great State of Ohio as he reminds us) took the opportunity for some “restorative motion” on Thursday.  My idea of restorative motion consists of lying in bed and breathing.  Apparently, John’s idea of restorative motion consisted of 28 minutes of high intensity aerobic circuit drills.  We did it…. It was not fun, but we did it.  The next day there was a suspicious wanted poster drawn on the classroom board saying “John VanVorst—Wanted for Attempted Murder of Section 6.”  He rewarded us for the poster with more “restorative motion”  J 

In John's defense, he is a great guy and one of the best PT instructors I have every met.

Next week is the infamous “Yellow Brick Road” known to law enforcement execs nationwide as a beast of a 6.1 miles endurance course with obstacles along the way. After last week’s performance, I am actually kinda pumped about it.  I will get a disposable camera this week and grab some photos of the course as we complete it.

Scenes from the 248th FBI NA Charity Auction for COPSkids

The 248th FBI NA Class held its charity auction this week and raise $18,000 for COPS Kids. An organization dedicated to the children of law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty. Among the items auctioned off were a weekend in Lake Tahoe, and a custom harley davidson fender painted with the FBINA Logo on the fender.  It was a nice event for a good cause held at a local establishment. Despite it being crowded, it was a great break from the academy.

Saturday was spent on an insider tour of the Pentagon in Washington D.C.  Due to national security regulations I cannot post interior pics, but I will tell you that the tour was among the best I have taken in many trips to the DC area.

Myself and Arman, a student from Kazackhstan National Police prior to the Pentagon Tour.  Arman is the director of the national police academy in his country.

The blessing for today lies in the knowledge that on this same day next week… I will be packing.  Great school, great time, great fellowship with law enforcement leaders from around the country but all 250+ of us are ready to roll home. 

Some of the students from the eastern parts of the US have asked the NA staff to offer the following course for future sessions.... just sayin'

I will post once more next week, then again after graduation.  Until then--- Take care my friends.