Week 9

Today marks the end of week 9 and the beginning of the last week, week 10. It’s hard to believe that nine weeks ago we all entered into this thinking that it would take forever to end. But look at it now; we are at the end of a tremendous journey for all of us. Some of us have bettered ourselves more than others, but for the most part we have all improved in one facet or another, mentally or physically. Every week a new challenge was place before us and we accomplished what to some seemed the impossible. This week we had the Yellow Brick Road challenge. This is a 6.1 mile run/obstacle course through the same obstacle course the Marines run. This is filled with barriers, cargo net, ropes to climb, and things to either jump through or over. Sending us off in groups was great due to the amount of people that would be waiting at the obstacles. Everyone that attempted the run finished. I finished in 1:12:54 which for me is a good time, especially for someone who didn’t like to run. Some of the obstacles were interesting to say the least. Yesterday I was told something that to me epitomizes the NA experience. To gain something new you have to accomplish something that you have never done. To me we have all done at least one thing new during our time at the NA. From either running a distance you have never done before to taking a class that you would have never thought you would take and learning a new skill. Getting to know the people that I have had the chance to has been great. I am glad that I got to go to this session. The weather has been great for the most part and the experience as a whole was terrific. I am thankful that I was given the opportunity to com and experience it. I hope to be able to bring something beneficial back to our department when I return. Most of all I will be glad to get back home. I know I will miss seeing a lot of the people here, but hopefully we will keep in touch. Next stop graduation.

Week 8

Well this week wasn't all that exciting. We had our challenge run of 5.2 miles which I ran in 49.36, pretty good for someone who didn’t like to run until about a year ago. It consisted of two laps around part of the interior of the academy grounds near the DEA facility. Everyone finished under the 80 minute time limit. We began as a team we will end as a team. This week we also had a guest speaker for enrichment night, Michael Durant. If you all do not remember the name, he was the helicopter pilot, Super Six Four that was shot down and captured in Somalia in 1993 and held captive for eleven days. He was a member of the elite Night Stalkers Squadron and is now the owner and operator of an engineering company in Huntsville, Alabama. Mr. Durant is also an accomplished author and speaker. Mr. Durant regaled us with his story of his time in Mogadishu, Somalia during the Blackhawk Down incident and what it was like. Everyone was eagerly awaiting the weekend to come due to the impending Memorial Day holiday giving us a long weekend. I was able to get home for the first time and see everyone, wife, kids,  and other family. Hard to believe that it has been 8 weeks and the journey is almost over. Next up is the Yellow Brick Road Run.

Mike Durant

Week Seven

Safety Bear

Fred eating a Balut Egg

The latest in Danish fashion

Matt, Me, David, and James

Tomb of the unknowns

Tim, Scott, and David

 Well week 7 is all but over. We had several things go on this week. Monday we had a break and had C.O.P.S. Kids day at the academy. These are children who lost a law enforcement parent in the line of duty. Some lost their parent just this past year; others have been coming for a few years. The kids come and have counseling sessions then we tour them around the academy, they eat lunch with us and then they play in the gym. This year Rex Leath, who is an Alaska State Trooper, had his department ship up their safety mascot, Safety Bear. I got to play Safety Bear and the kids loved it. They had an absolute great time. It was truly an honor to be able to interact with these kids and possibly help them through this time in their lives. Also this week was with Winged Monkey Assault Challenge. This was 30 minutes solid of circuit training. They had everything from kettle bells, tractor tires, push or pull sleds, dumb bells, power bands, and much more. The placed them in the infield of the track and also around the track. We had to keep doing things for 30 minutes continuously and rotate through the stations. This was a butt kicker. Then after that we had international night. A time to get to know our international brother and sisters and get a taste, literally of their culture. Every international student had a table set up with a sample of their cuisine and libations. This was a fun time. Everyone had a good time and enjoyed their selves. This weekend a few of us went to Arlington Cemetery. This was an amazing trip. To see all of the monuments and all the graves was truly breathtaking. Each was in its precise alignment with the others and just seems to go on forever. While we were there it was the celebration of the 150^th anniversary of TAPS. While there they had a gathering of several trumpet players from all over, some as far as California to celebrate TAPS. Most of the players where members of Honor Guards from various departments and organizations. It was something to hear as several trumpets at one time played TAPS. After this was done, several of the trumpet players were placed at various monuments around the cemetery and at Noon started playing from one end to the other TAPS in a wave of music throughout. While there we also saw the changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknowns. Seeing this ballet of precise military movements and reverence was breath taking. The honor and reverence that these soldiers show was truly astounding. These individuals truly epitomize the heart and soul of the military.

6 down 4 to go

Before the Race



After the Race

Thin Blue Line

Well chalk another down for class 249. We only have 4 more weeks to go before graduation. Things are really starting to fly by now. We have already filled out for our graduation guest list and trying to all the things done prior to the coming weeks. We are getting down to the wire and things are also getting hectic. Everyone with final papers due are getting them done and with group presentations we are all meeting coordinating out our responsibilities. This week we also crossed off another challenge. This week was a 2.2 mile run with 6 stations consisting of lunge walks, bear crawls, inverted pushups, mountain climbers, burpees, and dive bomber pushups. Finished in 29.45 minutes. I think I would have rather ran the 4.2 miles it was supposed to be. Hopefully Lake Lunga Recreational area will open this week so we can get a run in on the trails before the Yellow Brick Road Run. This week also started Police Memorial Week on Saturday with several of our classmates running in the 5k memorial run near the Law Enforcement Memorial in DC. Also this weekend on Sunday we went back and participated in the Candlelight Vigil held that night. This was truly an experience that I will never forget. On the wall I found Jerry Crabtree's name. Chief Crabtree's watch ended January 29, 2010 in a car accident. Chief Crabtree was retired from Coffee County Sheriff's Department and then went to work for the Franklin County Sheriff's Department. Chief Crabtree was a NA Graduate Class #64. Chief Crabtree had over 50 years in Law Enforcement and was still a go getter when he passed. He was a good friend and great mentor. He will always be missed.

Chief Crabtree

Week Five

Memorial Wreath dedicated by NA249



Lady Liberty

NYPD Helocopter

Well another week down and another challenge complete. We completed the 5k, Lion's Leap challenge. It was a good run, completed it in 29.15. This was about what I had expected. It was a little on the muggy side with it trying to rain and also hitting 88 degrees. We also had a very good enrichment session this week with Louisiana State Trooper Bobby Smith speaking. Trooper Smith was blinded in an adversarial encounter in 1986 while on duty. Trooper Smith spoke about dealing with the job and with family and how to separate the two and bring it home to our loved ones. I will have to say that this was one of the most informative and enlightening enrichment sessions we have attended. Trooper Smith brought up some very good points about our job and that it takes a special person to be a spouse to an officer and that we should not take them for granted. Also we should not just let things build up to the point that it explodes. This week was also the week for the New York trip. This trip was one of the best things that I have ever got the chance to experience. We started the trip with a visit to the NYPD Police Museum. This was a pretty cool place with all types of historical items from the NYPD’s history. After that we went to the Special Ops Division to tour the facility and see the equipment. Due to weather conditions our helicopter demonstration could not be preformed. We then went to One Police Plaza and got a tour of the Joint Operations Center (JOC) and the Real Time Crime Center. This was a technological marvel to say the least. Several banks of cameras and intel data streaming in from all over the city and country to assist officers, quite amazing. After the One Police Plaza tour we had time on our own to explore NY. Scott Pike, from Port Huron Michigan Police Department and I decided to walk around NY and site see a little bit and took the subway back to the hotel. That evening we all went out to eat at Carmine’s Restaurant. This was an Italian, Family Style restaurant that was tremendously good. The service and food was excellent. The next day we split up and half went to the Empire State Building and the other half went on a harbor tour on the FDNY Fire Boat. This was amazing seeing the sites from the harbor. After this we went to the World Trade Center Memorial. This was a somber experience. This really tugged at your heart being at the site of one of the most horrific terrorist attack in America’s history. Seeing all the names at the reflecting pools and the survivor tree that survived the attack was truly incredible. We then were treated to a true surprise. We were given permission to go up in One World Trade Center that is currently under construction but has recently surpassed the Empire State Building at the tallest building in New York. We were taken to the 39^th floor and then to the last completed floor the 71^st. This was a truly amazing view of the New York skyline. We then were allowed to go to the memorial museum. This was a sobering experience seeing all the artifacts from the aftermath. This was truly amazing. Well five more to go.

On the Fire Boat in the Harbor

Week Four

General Jake leading the charge

Well we have seemed to survive another week. We had the Cyclone Challenge this week with everyone seeming to have enjoyed it. We are all trying to get what papers we have to get done completed so that they will not interfere with going on trips and activities. Next week is the New York trip with over half the class going. It plans on being a terrific trip and the itinerary is pretty full. The weekend our counselor got a trip to Gettysburg together for us to ride horses around the battlefield while our guide told us of the battle how thing transpired. It was amazing at how much our guide knew about Gettysburg. It was absolutely one of the best activities I have experienced thus far. When we got to the sables we were given horses and the assistance gave us a briefing on safety and rules. They said that if anything happened or if they needed to tell us something they would call us by our horses name because they would not be able to remember all of our names since they have so many people that go through the tour. The head assistant was calling out our names and telling us what horse we would have. She started out giving people horses with names such as Eldorado, Flash, Chance, cool names, then she gave me mine, Ariel. Don’t think for a minute the other guys on the trip didn’t give me down the road about that one, but that’s ok. It seems that the weeks are going faster with a lot more activities planned in the coming weeks. I looked at the calendar and realized that almost every day we have something extracurricular going on. They have already given us our guest list for graduation to fill out.

Me and Ariel

Three Down Seven to Go

Well one more week and another challenge down in the books. This week due to the trails being closed we had to do circuit drills for this week’s challenge. We had hill relays, resistance partner sprints, and stair drills. This was very interesting due to it had just rained and everybody's shoes didn't have the best traction for running up a nice 50 to 60 degree grass laden incline. This was looking to have some very good photos for the collection but everyone did better than expected. After that you moved to resistance partner sprints. This is where each of us had to partner up and place a large resistance band around you and try and spring about 50 to 60 yards with you partner trailing behind putting resistance on the band. This was interesting. I felt like a draft horse pulling a sled or something. Lastly we had to run the stairs at the parking garage at Hogan’s Alley. This totally stunk. It is about 6 stories and seemingly everyone picked the same stairwell to run up and down. After the challenge we got to listen to Major Ron Stucker with the Orange County Florida Sheriff’s Department talk about the Caylee Anthony case. This was very interesting and gave a little more insight on the case. Also this week a bunch of us went to Washington DC and walked around and saw all the monuments. While we were there it as the annual Cherry Blossom Festival, it was extremely busy and crowded. This week was good also because I me my family in Sevierville. I really enjoyed spending time with them and trying to catch up with things that have been going on. My son was very excited to tell me about getting his driver’s license (look out). Things are starting to go by pretty a little more quickly now with all the things lined up and things to do. Before we know it, we will all be graduating.


Washington DC Trip

Flag Night and Challenge

Well today was our first group challenge, 1.5 miles of track and road. Some of the class was worried about the challenge. Some were not so worried. It went really well with everyone finishing and no one getting hurt. I was not used to running in this cool of weather, 40 degrees, but I managed to endure through it. I did a respectable time of 12.26. This for me is a darn good time considering I am not a runner. While running past the Jefferson building Director Mueller came out of some offices and watched us as we trotted by and wished us well. Our next challenge is next Wednesday. We are anxiously waiting to see what that will be for us considering the normal trails the runs are done on are now off limits due to surveying being done. Tonight was also Flag Night. This is where we get to meet new FBI Agents as they receive their new duty assignments and see what state they are going to and see who they may prospectively be working with. Also this gives us a change to interact with the class as a whole a little more than just at meals. I got to meet several of the international class members that I haven't had a chance to speak with. Also got a chance to swap patches and coins with the other students and pick up some pretty cool souvenirs.

Me and Klaus Mirsch, Germany

One Week Down, Nine to Go.

Vic McCraw(Roommate) and Ray Carr (Counselor)

Well one week down and nine to go. This week has gone by faster than expected. This has also been a learning week for some of us. We finally straightened out our classes due to some that had been canceled or just did not want to take them and swapped with those we wanted or basically was the only thing left in that time block we could take. We are starting to get to know each other and learning each other’s names. Some are still being called by their states name or by their nickname, like “The Godfather”. We have all done our fit test and determined our beginning fitness level. Some are guessing what their ending test results will be. We are settling into groups and starting to meld and network with each other and learn that even though we may be separated by a vast ocean or land mass most of us encounter the same problems. This environment lets us get together and try not to reinvent the wheel but find out if someone else has encountered the same problem and found a way to solve it. I do not know where else you could have access to a vast expanse of knowledge as we have right here. All and all the first week has been an enjoyable one and I really look forward to the next nine. Before we know it will be almost over and be walking across the stage graduating.

Well today started our journey with drop/add day. This is where we are able to get a better understanding of the classes we selected and areable to drop ones that we are not so happy with and try and obtain admittanceinto ones that we would like. Some of them fill up faster than others with someappearing to be unavailable from the start. Also today we began selectingpeople to participate in coordinating events such as the yearbook, socialevents, class shirts and other things. Most of the spots everyone volunteeredfor with little or no coercion. I am now part of the yearbook staff as one ofabout 8 photographers taking pictures for the yearbook. As it sets I believe wehave the best section at the NA. Also our section has more internationalstudents than any other section. We have one from Germany, Moldavia Philippines,France, Italy, and Canada. But there are I believe 24 foreign countriesrepresented here. We ended the day with a welcome dinner put on by the Academy.This was a time for us to get to know our fellow officers better and networkwith individuals that we would probably not get a chance to talk with, as inones from other countries. This was very interesting getting to talk with lawenforcement officers from other countries and see how they are set up and howthey function. It will be interesting getting to know them and talking withthem more. Tomorrow start our classes and conduct our fit test to determine ourstarting fitness level I believe this it when the fun really begins. Fun andexcitement are yet to come. I will stay in touch and keep the updates coming aswe progress on our ten week journey into getting to know each other and ourselves.

Beginning of the adventure

Well arrived today at the Academy to start my adventure into 10 weeks of fun and excitement. I arrived thinking that I would be the early bird and be one of the first people to show up. Boy was I wrong. I arrived to encounter a slew of individuals from all around the country and the world. My roommate is from the Arizona Department of Safety, he drove three days to get here. So far I am as lost as last year’s Easter egg. The Academy Staff has been good so far trying to orient you to your surroundings, helping you get settled into your rooms, giving a guided tour which maybe was a bad idea, because it got me lost more than I already was. I am sure the things will get better as the time goes on get my familiar with the place. I will be posting things as I encounter them and tracing my advancement through this great endeavor. Check back for more to come including pics.