Graduation

On Wednesday, June 7th, 2017, some of the best law enforcement officers I have ever had the pleasure and honor to know graduated from the FBI National Academy, Session 268.  The shortcomings in my vocablulary become evident when I try to put into words how great a priviledge it was to train with these men and women from all over the world.  I truly enjoyed my time in their compnay.

I would like to thank a few people specifically:

Thank you to Chief Bill Partridge for nominating me over a year and a half ago.  I appreciate the faith and trust you bestowed upon me and I will never forget that.

Thank you to Captain Steve Palmer for your patience and guidance over the last year or so.  It was a tough year but you stuck with me and we got through it. 

To my roomate, Paul O'Keefe.  Sir, I couldn't have asked for a better roommate.  I knew when I asked you on the first night if you enjoyed cigars and you said yes that everything was going to be ok.  You truly are a gentleman and a class act.  Thank you.

To Chris Sandoval.  I greatly enjoyed our friendship and comradery.  My life has been blessed by knowing you.

To Jimmy "Cornbread" Phelps, thank you for your kindness and potentially being one of the few guys more country than I am. 

To Nick Armold.  To the one guy who may have smoked more cigars than I did...thank you for you friendship.  I know for a fact that the folks in Portage, Michigan, are in good hands.

To Moe Robinson III, thank you for your service as Section 5 representative.  Thank you for your friendship.  Thank you for being the only other guy who knew what a Jaime Garcia Reserva Especial Toro Gordo cigar was.  I was impressed.  ;-)

To Special Agent Todd Richards.  Sir, you were truly a great counselor to Section 5.  We couldn't have asked for anyone better.  You were one of us.  I know we were all blessed by you.  Thank you very much!

To the NYPD crew, you guys are a class act through and through.  You represented the NYPD and New York very well.  Thank you!

To John Russo.  Way to represent brother!  You did an awesome job!

To Dan, Leena, JD, Richie, Mike, Mark, Shannon, Dave, Chris(s), Orlando, Oliver, Ben(s), Andre, Anton, Simon, Kim, and many many more...thank you!  I wish you the best of luck in your future endeavors.  Call me if you need me.  God Bless you all.

Last but certainly not least; thank you to my friends and my family for sticking by me through thick and thin.  Bobby Yancey, if it weren't for you, it is very likely I wouldn't be where I am today.  I have not and will not forget what you did for me during the death of my grandmother and my divorce in 2016.  To Debbie Reaves, my mother, thank you for raising me to believe in noble concepts such as honor, loyalty, character, and justice. 

Thank you to my girlfriend Stacy Carr.  It has been a very difficult road to travel over the last 10 weeks but we have made it through.  Thank you for all you have done while I was gone.  I love you. 

The Yellow Brick Road

Getting my Yellow Brick from Section 5's Counselor SA Todd Richards

On 6/6/2017, FBINA Session 268, completed the Yellow Brick Road.  Here's a brief description of the Yellow Brick Road:

National Academy graduates fondly recall their experience on the “Yellow Brick Road.” The final test of the fitness challenge, the Yellow Brick Road is a grueling 6.1-mile run through a hilly, wooded trail built by the Marines. Along the way, the participants must climb over walls, run through creeks, jump through simulated windows, scale rock faces with ropes, crawl under barbed wire in muddy water, maneuver across a cargo net, and more. When (and if) the students complete this difficult test, they receive an actual yellow brick to memorialize their achievement. The course came to be known as the “Yellow Brick Road” years ago, after the Marines placed yellow bricks at various spots to show runners the way through the wooded trail. The overall fitness challenge began at the National Academy in 1981 and has evolved over the years; we started awarding yellow bricks in 1988.

I have to say that the Yellow Brick Road was harder than I expected but it was also the most fun of all the challenges.  It had a little of everything.  Hills, obstacles, road running, and so on.

Waiting to Start the Yellow Brick Road

Getting on the Bus

Acting FBI Director, Andrew McCabe, speaking to us before the Yellow Brick Road

One of he Windows

One of Several Rope Obstacles

and this is what you get what you make it through the Yellow Brick Road:

My yellow brick, there are many like it but this one is mine.

Next up is GRADUATION!!!!

Week 9 Complete

SAC George Piro and I at Texas, Night

Week nine has come to a close.  It has been a busy week with final papers and projects being turned in.  Last Monday, May 28th, 2017, many FBINA students participated in the Murph Challenge in honor of Lieutenant Michael Murphy, a Navy Seal killed in Afghanistan in 2005.  This was not an official FBINA challenge per say but something the students wanted to do to as a personal challenge.  The "Murph" consisted of:

• 1 Mile Run
• 100 Pull Ups
• 200 Push Ups
• 300 Squats
• and another 1 Mile run with a 20 pound vest. 

I did not personally participate in the "Murph" as I am satisfied with the regular physical training curriculum.  LOL.  I have GREAT respect for those who did!  I was told it was beyond grueling!

Our PT for Wednesday, May 31st, 2017.

Section 5 conducted student led PT on Tuesday.  We performed many, many, reps of squats, kettle bell swings, and pushups.  My rep count was 60 push ups, 70 squats, and I think 40 or 60 kettle bell swings.  Push ups and kettle bell swings were not that bad but the squats smoked my legs!

Wednesday rolls around and Steve Mellor, our FBINA PT instructor, has us perform the excercises listed in the picture above.  This has a "name."  Something like, "The 400", "Death", "Heart Attack", "You Don't Need Legs Anyway", "Ability to Walk is Overrated."  You know, something like that.  That was Wednesday.  It is now Saturday as I type this and my legs are STILL sore!

Speaking of Steve, Section 5's PT instructor....  When you meet him and speak to him, he gives the impression that he is an easy going guy.  At first, we thought we were lucky to have Steve for PT and not those "crazy" hard other instructors.  Right!  Steve is an incredibly professional, nice, and intelligent guy but he is truly a BEAST in the gym!  For those coming to the FBINA, if you get Steve, don't be lured into a false sense of security.  Steve WILL smoke you! Be ready for the morning when he says, "Today is going to be an easy day...."   That's THE day he is going to try and kill you (In a healthy, getting you into shape, kind of way.).  In all seriousness, Steve is a great guy and you'll be fortunate to train with him.

Thursday's PT was challenging but not over the top.  We did drills through, for lack of a better term, hop scotch squares.  Reminded me of football drills.  Got our hearts pumping.  

Friday's PT time was spent meeting with the FBINA's Unit Chief about upcoming graduation and Yellow Brick Road festivities.  

Going back to Wednesday, we had a great guest speaker in Special Agent in Charge (SAC) George Piro (Pictured at the top of this page).  SAC Piro interrogated Saddam Hussein for almost a year in the early 2000's after Hussein was captured.  SAC Piro allowed us to look into the mind of Hussein.  It was a VERY interesting discussion.  

Texas Night

Wednesday night was Texas Night!  Anyone who knows anything about the FBINA knows that Texas Night is a BIG deal!  LOL!  We had great food! (BBQ Chicken, Beef Brisket, Smoked Sausages, Potato Salad, Banana Pudding, about 5 kegs of beer....)  It was a great night and everyone enjoyed the food and especially the fellowship.  

Section 5's Last PT Day Together

Thursday's PT session was bittersweet. It was the last time Section 5 would meet for PT.  I was excited because this brought me one step closer to graduation but a little sad because it was one of the last times I'll see these people.  I have truly enjoyed the many PT sessions with Section 5.  I think we had a great section.  

Section 5's FBI Counselor, Special Agent Todd Richards and I

I have to mention someone special.  Special Agent (SA) Todd Richards.  SA Richards was Section 5's counselor for our time here. SA Richards immediately became a friend to us.  He never hesitated to help in any way he could.  I don't think Section 5 could have possibly gotten a better counselor.  I will miss Todd greatly. 

Next up is the Yellow Brick Road challenge on Monday.  It is THE challenge!  

Just a few more days and I'll be home.....