Arrival at Quantico

Friday 09th of January I spent last day with my family. We had tasty Raclette together laughed a lot and had a good time as family. Later I finished to pack up my baggage and taxed each item to 23 kg. In the dark of early Saturday morning I left home for a long time. There are two coins of a medal one-to be away and the other- looking forward to FBI National Academy. My wife and me arrived Hamburg-Aiport at 08.30am, took a parking-lot and checked in my baggage.  When we had to say goodbye she surprised me with a little present of selfmade cookies and a lucky charm. Thank’s for that and your backstopping.

Airplane to Frankfurt took off just on time. Arrival at Frankfurt required another  transit stay to continue Intercontinential flight for the United States. I bought last „German“newspapers, took a deep breath and started journey. Depending on stormy wheater flight arrival at Washington Dulles delayed for half an hour.  However, I was glad to move a little bit after about 9 hours Lufthansa-Economy. I had to wait two hours in US-immigration lane. Made a call to BKA-liasion officer Christian Simon for spoting at Starbucks after completing procedure. At 6pm local time I got it. Christian picked me up carried me by car to Quantico. We arrived on area of US-Marine Base at 7pm. Thanks to the BKA liasion desk to support me that way. First impressions: large area, deep forests, strict controls at different checkpoints (US-Marines, FBI Police). After entering main hall of FBI Jefferson building I was welcomed by Supervising Special Agent Mike. He helped my to manage my luggage and got me a first tour in FBI-complex. Michael is on of 6 FBI-Councellors. They are all honoured, experienced Supervising Special Agents from FBI Field branches across the USA. The Councellors come for 10 weeks to Quantico to deal with the National Academy students as a point of contact and manager for allday belongings. Each Councellor got’s responsibility for a section (class). Especially at the beginning of courses they are permanent in charge.  I assigned to section 3. My Councellor is SSA Brian.

He is a very tough guy and so helpful. I got my badges for room, meals and a special ID-Card. I reached room, left my luggage and went back to Cafeteria the so called „Board-room“. First of my upcoming international session mates also arrived. There are officers from 25 countries. I started up first conversation to my buddies from Brazil, Costa Rica and Albania. We laughted together when we talked about Football match Germany – Brazil during World Championship. I met Captain Xavier from France. He came from Paris and told about the attack at Charlie Hebdo.

On Sunday we explored basement (gym, class-rooms, locker rooms, pool, library etc.) and got lost in space. It’s a hugh complex with floors, stairways. Everything seems a little bit confused because it looks the same. I had to manage my ways to different spots – but my session-mates also got the same problems. In the afternoon first colleagues from United States arrived. Everybody is friendly, polite and motivated. Most words are „Hey-how are you?“ „Great to see you!“ There is a spirit of common understanding, pride and honour to be part of this FBI program. We sit together and I became first lessons in American Football – everybody is watching the current Play-offs of NFL and College League.

Parallel the new FBI-recruits also came to Quantico. Young women and men in smart suits. They getting 18 weeks basic education to become FBI Agents.

I  signed up and started to pass „Blue Brick“ Challenge. It’s a 34 miles (55 km) swim-contest that contains distance between Quantico and Washington DC.  If you pass it during your 10 weeks stay you’ll earn a blue brick. I decided to do that. My intensions require to pass one mile a day in the early morning. We’ll see.

What about accommodation? It reminds my to my stay at senior police university DHPol Münster. Normally all NA-participants get room-mates. Unfortunately I didn’t get a room-mate. Internationals get combined with domestic students. It seems that my room-mate had to quit NA-participation depending on familiar circumstances. The setting of my room is functional, space is limited but it’s okay. I manage myself and structure everything (clothes, course-material, accesses), fill the boxes. By the way I complete switched to English. There is only one guy from Switzerland that talks German. We made an appointement to communicate in English.

Conclusion:

I arrived safe. Everything is new. The agents and session mates are very kind and helpful. The basement is still unknown and seems strange. I have to forget my German language for a while.  All are looking forward to the following 10 weeks of session NA 259.

Update follows after passing week 1.