Day 3

Well, looks like I skipped right over day 2. On Monday, we had several administrative meetings to get us started in the academy. There are 270 of us in my session and we are all split up into 6 sections so we met with our sections and 'volunteered' for several different positions. Because we could not get into the classroom building because of the previously mentioned fire, meetings were cut short and we had a lot of down time. I used the time to do a couple of loads of laundry that had accumulated from the road trip and to work out.

The work out facilities here are great. There are several different gyms, all with weights, cardio, etc. and even a pool. All are always open. I ended up just socializing with some of the guys and getting to know some of them. It is unbelievable what some of them do. We have a counter terrorism chief from England, a director of police from China, Germany, Guam, and leaders from 49 of the states (I think Idaho was left out this time).

Today was another day with a lot of down time. We had a meeting in the morning talking about reimbursement for travel to the academy (fun times!). After that, they loaded us all on buses and took us on a field trip into DC to the Holocaust museum. As we pulled into DC, we were met by 4 Capitol Police motorcycles. The FBI had arranged to have them escort us through the city. When I say 'escort', I mean they actually led us, lights and sirens, through the city, blocking all intersections. We drove all the way to the heart of DC without having to stop at all. It was amazing watching people's awe as they saw four buses being escorted through the mall and into the Law Enforcement Memorial. I wondered what they must be thinking. They gave us all box lunches and we sat around the memorial to eat. Between the museum and the memorial, it was a humbling experience.

We got back to the academy at about 2pm. I went to the gym and lifted weights and then for a 6 mile run through some back trails. I ran with a guy who is a very high up in the Alemeda Co. California Sheriff's office. It was interesting talking to him about his experiences and his duties. After the run, went to the cafeteria and ate. Now im just getting kind of bored. Since we have not started classes yet, I don't have any homework to work on. I know that sounds crazy, but that's why Im here.

The Academy has arranged some make-shift rooms throughout the buildings and we will be meeting tomorrow for a little while, but classes will start on Thursday.

Day 1

Well, it has been quite the journey to get here. 2500 miles across the heart of America is a long way to drive, but the sights were great. I would never have otherwise had the chance to see cornfields in Nebraska, Chicago, Toledo, South Bend, Intercourse, PA (yes, it is a real place), Washington DC, and so many other places, all within just a few days.

I arrived yesterday and checked in at the FBI academy. The process was pretty quick, but they would not let my wife come into the academy area so she had to wait in the lobby for quite a while as they gave us the tour of the place. After, we went back into DC and had a night of site seeing.

Today, I dropped my wife off at BWI airport and headed back to the academy for my first meeting. When I arrived, I found out that there had been a fire in the classroom building at the academy (apparently just after we left yesterday). That is going to cause some problems because they have to run a bunch of tests before they can let us back into the building. For now, we dont have any classrooms. Tomorrow morning, we are scheduled to meet in the auditorium and then go from there. I guess we will have to adapt.

The academy is a nice place. Dorms are very small and it is a lot like college with two beds in one room and four people sharing a bathroom. Definately not something a bunch of 40 year old men want to do. The work out facilities, however, are unbelievable. There are several different gyms with all sorts of workout equipment, weights, punching bags, etc., etc. If nothing else, we have a great chance to work out.

Still trying to get past the homesickness stage. When you have to leave loved ones behind, it is never easy. Even when you are anticipating having to leave, you can never be prepared for how much you actually miss them once you are gone.

I have not had the chance to take any photos of the academy yet. Hopefully I will post some soon.

Leaving Home :(

Today was a really tough day. I think all of my anxiety leading up to heading off to the FBI Academy was all about today...the day I have to say goodby to the kids. I will miss my wife too, but I have a week of travel with her. Today was all about the kids. We waited until after they got home from school so that we could give them all hugs and kisses. I didn't realize how hard it was going to be, knowing that I will not be back home for at least several weeks to visit. There were a lot of tears (OK, mostly mine), but we finally headed out.

The trip through Wyoming was boring as always. We finally decided to give up driving for the night and find a place in Cheyenne. Amazingly, the first two hotels we tried were sold out. Finally found a room at the Holiday Inn Express.

Only three days left until my wife and I make a long drive across country to Quantico, Virginia so that I can attend the FBI National Academy. She is going to drive there with me and then fly home next Sunday. I am excited to attend the Academy, it is a dream come true. I'm also a little nervous because I know that I am going to miss my family a lot. I've been looking at all of the sites in the DC area that I will try to visit on the weekends and don't know how I am going to get in all of the site seeing.