1 Week Down

It is the end of the first week here in Quantico.  When asked how things are going, I reply, "It's like drinking from a fire hydrant!"  Information is thrown at you in great quantity and at great speed.  I think everyone was starting to get the hang of everything by Friday. 

The classes are great!  Each instructor is an experienced FBI agent with years of field experience.  They are specialists in their respective fields.  For example, my Legal Issues for Command Line Officers instructor, has prepared several cases that were argued before the Supreme Court of the United States.  They only lost one case.  My instructor said that if they had listened to him they would have won!  This particular instructor is one the best I have ever had in any subject.  He keeps your attention and makes you think on your feet.  We don't want to leave when his class is over.

I may have said it before, and I may say it again, but one thing I really like here is the wide range of experience of my fellow students.  We have leaders from small agencies to really large agencies like the New York Police Department or the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department.  What we are discovering is that we all face similar problems.  I have found that the old saying, "Policing is policing," is really true.

My section, section 5, conducted our physical training (PT) test Wednesday.  We performed several tests which gauged our flexibility, checked for injuries, and so on.  It started to lightening as we were walking out to the track in the cold rain.  The track run was cancelled.  We then had to do an alternative test.  You didn't think the fine folks at the FBI wouldn't have a backup plan did you? Anyway, we had to sprint from one line to another at an ever increasing pace until you just couldn't run anymore.  I passed.  (as in I passed the test, not passed out!  :-)   )

The food here is not bad.  It is not going to win Michelin Stars either.  It is better then the Army food I remember from years ago.  If you are prior military, think Air Force food. 

I finally got to check out the Embassy Cigar Lounge just off post.  The Embassy Cigar Louge is attached to the Globe and Laurel restaurant which is owned by Marine Corps Major (Ret) Richard Spooner.   Here's an excerpt from their web page:

"Major Richard Spooner opened the Globe and Laurel restaurant in 1968. When he retired, after more than 29 years of service in the Marines, his wife Gloria helped convince him to turn his passion for great food and service from a part-time hobby into a full-time job. The Spooners want their restaurant to honor the men and women who "strap on a sidearm or wear a uniform or badge" in service to this great country. The Globe & Laurel is dedicated to fine dining and the perpetuation of the proud history of our corps of Marines. Many consider Major Spooner the "living historian of the Marine Corps".

Anyway, that's about it for the first week.  The water to our dorm has been off all morning for plumbing repairs.  My session is making plans for various trips.  I have already paid for the New York trip.  If you are planning on making many trips and buying lots of souvenirs, bring LOTS of money!!  Everything is expensive!

Until next time!

Banner in the classroom area.

I found this cool Coach Bryant quote in the gym.  Haven't found any Auburn coach quotes yet.  ;-)