Congratulations Graduates of the 211th Session of the FBI National Academy.
The 211th Session concluded our twelve week residential training program on December 13th, 2002, at the FBI Training facility located at the Quantico Marine Corps Base. Although in the midst of sleet and snow, the incliment weather didn't hinder our friends and families from joining us as we celebrated the end of this once-in-a-lifetime experience.
The 211th is proud that our group raised more charitable funds than any other session. We are proud that one of our own (Jim Finn) was attendee number 36,000. We are proud to have contributed the paved walkway and lighting for the September 11th memorial.
Finally, We are all so very proud that our families and us all survived !
OUR HISTORY:
The FBI National Academy on December 13th, 2002 graduated 244 law enforcement officers representing men and women from 50 states, 18 international countries, 4 military organizations and 3 federal civilian organizations. Our graduating class carries on a long and true tradition, bringing the total number of FBINA graduates to 36,031.
In 1929, FBI Director Hoover, heard of a police training school sponsored by Scotland Yard and sent for the curriculum. Hoover spent 5 years working on his pet project and then in 1934, just as the FBI were being given rights by congress to be armed and to have arrest powers, he began to bring his program to a reality.
When the program began it first session on July 29, 1935 it was originally called the " FBI National Police Training School". It graduated 23 law enforcement officers, each of whom paid their own way. One officer drew pencil portraits for his class mates and sold them while at the academy to pay for his meals and lodging. Then in 1936, the name was changed again, to the "FBI National Police Academy". Over the years it has gained momentum and developed a highyl respectable reputation within the law enforcement community world wide. Attendees can earn college level credits through the University of Virginia.
Director Hoover once dubbed the academy as the "West Point of Law Enforcement". That honorable description remains true today. The FBI NA is still recognized throughout the world as the premier law enforcement training academy.
OUR SECTIONS:
Once class members arrived and course schedules were determined, each attendee was assigned a "Section". The five sections divided the 211th Session equally into cohesive and sometimes competative groups that learned together, competed together and played together.
Each Section had events planned that raised funds for charitable causes, brought one another together for dinners, music, entertainment, off academy excursions and much more. The sections were each headed by an FBI Agent acting as the Section Counselor. The following Links provide section photos and rosters:
The academy emphasizes mental and physical conditioning throught the twelve weeks; with classes in nutrition, health, proper workout methods and bi-weekly physical training sessions. Each session had one hour of classroom and the last hour in the gym or "running". Seems like we ran more than we walked. The fitness program empowered some to loose weight and eat right (as a class we lost over 600 combined pounds).
The Yellow Brick Road is the final test of the academy's Fitness Challenge series. Its wooded trails, climbing walls, ropes and 26 obstacles make it the ultimate challenger for everyone. After a lengthy run to the obstacle course we were confronted by many hills, difficult trails and demanding physical obstacles.
Besides the fact that the temperatures were in the 40's and the trails were covered with snow and ice!. The Yellow Brick Road was eagerly awaiting those who dared.
After many weeks of training and building up to the event, the Yellow Brick Road escaped a few who were unable to run the course before bad weather set in on our "official run day". This was one of the very rare occassions that the Yellow Brick Road was actually closed on a challenge day as it turned into the "white and ice slick road". For those few who experienced the run, it was an ultimate challenge and experience.
Let us not forget each and every one of our Thursday Challenge Runs:
"Not in Kansas Anymore" - 1.8 miles
"The Tin Man Trot" - 2.6 miles
"The Gates of Oz" - 3.1 miles
"Circuit" - 30 minutes
"Lions Leap" - 3.4 miles
"Munchkin Run" - 4.2 miles
"Journey to Oz'' - 5.2 miles
"Yellow Brick Road" - 6.1 miles
OUR REALLY GREAT "FRIENDS" FROM THE FBINA
The FBI NA brought 244 law enforcement officers from around the world into one venue; to learn, to experience, to endure, to enjoy and to exchange; and that we did. We sought every opportunity to learn from one another, to gather a sense of each other's agencies and law enforcement environments, to understand the differences and similarities. We garnered international friendships and working relationships that will last a lifetime.
Copyright 2003
Last updated [May 1, 2003 - 22:00:00 EST]
This Site hosted and maintained by:
Tom Smith - Session #211 Missing Children Management Consultants
Naples, Florida
July 26 - August 6, 2005 Golf Vacation in Scottsdale, Az.
OUR HISTORY:
