week 1
Opening FBI NA, session 259
the main-FBI Academy building "Jefferson"
FBI-chart in front of dormitory
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| schedule week 1 - the most important paper |
First week passed very quickly. On Monday we got our uniforms
and schedules. It feeled a little bit
like starting army career, but dress-code at FBI Academy is strict. I stayed
with my mates for about two hours in lane to get shirts, trousers, PT (Physical
Training)-wear in basement of FBI Academy. Another stone throw later all "civilians" became uniformed students of NA 259. We got badges, did the payment
for graduation-kits and got order to find our sections. There are 6 sections
(Klassenverbände) - each joined by probably 40 students. I checked my ID-patch and
realized to e a student in section 3. Each section will be leaded by an FBI
Counselor. Our Counselor Brian is a tough guy and experienced FBI Supervising
Special Agent. He gaves first instructions about the regulations and processes
during our stay within the next 10
weeks.
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| my section 3 |
international schedule
In the beginning everything seems a little bit strange and complex. We
filled a lot of registration forms. The first days I spent the most efforts to
orientate myself and find the right rooms or location. Brian went on tour but
everythings seemed to look just the same. After registration processes long term of introduction ourselves started.
.First introduction was held in our sections, than moved up to Auditorium and
got welcome speeches. The leaders of FBI Academy were on the spot and
opened session 259. Words of welcome, congratulations, expectations, outcome and
benefits. The international participants had to stand up to got applause for
participation. After official welcome the international students got special
order an schedule for representative duties.
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| International students from 24 countries |
First day finished in the "boardroom" (Cafeteria/Bar). I talked to the internationals and our U.S. guys. The atmosphere is
awesome. Everbody is friendly and glad to be part oft the FBI- program. The
first days we defined our courses. I assigned for
Leadership, Ethics, Behavioral Science, Investigation strategies in Violent
Crimes, Officers in crisis. PT (Physical Training) is mandatory. I met my instructors and lectures – my first impressions: very experienced, high motivated, smart and polite. They delivered workbooks, course syllabus and requirements for written assignments and oral presentations. I think there are a lot of homeworks beside regular lessons.
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| my courses |
Gradually I understand learning and networking approach. Each course I spent with different
students. After one week I have almost seen most of my students and recognize them on the floors. It’s still a little bit
difficult to assign them to their names, but it developed day by day. Fortunately we all wear ID-patches, so I have a look at and reply when everybody greets the only
German „Hey Heiko, how are you?“
However at first I was a little bit stress to find
everything, to unterstand everything, to get all accesses (WiFi, Virtual Study Internet Platforms operated by University of Virginia). The U.S. guys helped on all stages. Former NA-graduates reported that the first three days at Quantico
could be mad. I understand what they meant. At least the situation normalized immediately.
Everything is done and on a good
way. All communication channels are in operation. I use Skype, Whats app and Viber to keep in touch with my family and friends.
During week 1 I continued passing the Blue Brick Challenge and finished already 8 Miles in the pool. Sports is a
good opportunity to get in contact and otherwise to balance the stress.
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| Swim chart |
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| miles for the Bluebrick Challenge - 34 miles
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| There are the "bricks" - earned by a former NA253-graduate |
Tuesday evening the first representative tasks started. The
international students were invited to international dinner with their roomates
from U.S. I don’t have a room-mate. I invite Captain David Centner from Ohio to
join me. He was the first NA 259 student I met in preparation to National
Academy. He setted up his own blog and we wrote each other before we came
together at Quantico.
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| Captain David Centner and me |
There are officers from 24 countries with a broadband of
experiences, different cultures and religions. We have to introduce our countries and ourselves in a short table-speach. Meanwhile I don’t care about speaking
English. I do it and it works.
By the way – the food is excellent, various and always
available. It’s up tou you to choose nutrition in a health way.
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| the internationals -senior officers from all over the world |
The first week efforted me to create structures and
establish contacts. I talked a lot to officers from U.S. and the
internationals. We changed Pins, business cards. I introduced my country, state and police force for a couple of times.
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the rooms all patched with emblem and business card
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Quantico offers a really good infrastructure. They operate a PX, ATM machine and mobil Starbucks inside. The rest you need you will buy at larger US Marine PX or
Walmart. Therefore you have to go by car.The U.S. guys like Captain Steve Lane and many others are always offererd us support to carry us by car.
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| Walmart |
During the first week we received all requirements and schedules
to prepare our written assignements, presenstations and narratives. There are
about 12 paperworks and 3 presentation to prepare. It will take a lot of time
after daily schedule. I bought folders an structured the different tasks, created cover sheets and started .
The first week also ensured a lot of physical testings. We participated first time PT (Physical Training - sports). My Instructor
E.J. O’Malley promissed to get us fit fort the Yellow-Brick-road. He will get us ideas and new approaches to recover
health. In week 1 we got an theoretical Input and briefing before we were tested by FBI
Physical Training Unit (weight, blood-pressure, push-ups, line-running by
audio-signals, mobility-assessment of tension). Another day later we have to
pass 1 mile in time. I passed a very good result – 6.49 min even after swimming a mile
in the morning and breakfest before. In week 10 all will be done once more to
estimate physical development.
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| Fitness-Instructor E.J. O' Malley |
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| locker room for PT -gym, pool, weight room |
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| gym |
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| weight room |
The ongoing course- lessons are interesting. We get a lot of information, papers, group-working, guest-speakers. We talked about leadership, ethical problems victimology and prominent, outstandig criminal cases. The level is
ambitious because of speaking and thinking in English. I have to concentrate to follow and participate
discussion.
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| get structure with your papers |
Times passes very quickly. There isn’t really time between.
Eat, sleep, learn, PT, gym, running, Blue Brick Challenge, talk to and at the end of day go for a beer in the board-room.
Additionally I was requested to take photos for the yearbook. Each
NAsession gets a yearbook. I have to take
photos of my section 3.
At end of week 1 I established contact to Captain Matthew
Ayers from Tennessee. He serves as a Patrol Divison Commander at Sevierville Police Department. We became friends and decided to visit US-Marine-Corps Museum at Quantico. So we did it with
further international students.
The US Marine Corps Museum is an exhibition
related to the history of the US Marine Corps from beginning until now.
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| Interstate |
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| USMC Museum Quantico |
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| France, Albania, Thailand, U.S., Germany - photo taken by Brazil |
We faded out week 1 in the boardroom. Matthew proposed to take me for an upcoming weekend to Tennessee. He will introdruce me his Police-force and go for patrol. Looking forward.
end of week 1 - update next week - kind regards to Germany and all other friends and colleagues
