Week 10 - Final Exams & GRADUATION!!!

Howzit folks.  What started out as a bunch of law enforcement officers from various parts of the world converging to one single venue, not knowing one another, in an unfamiliar environment far from their homes, with high anxieties about the curriculum, and whether we would ultimately reach our objective...Graduation, has grown into a group I can proudly call "ohana". 

Monday was filled with final exams for everyone and the one that was most evident was the Physical Fitness Final Assessment.  Would the previous 9 weeks of fitness training, both required and voluntary, result in weight and body fat loss, increases in fitness levels for push ups, planking times, and lowered 1.5 mile run times?  I can honestly say that my final assessment numbers were much better than my initial assessment done in Week #1, but the work is not over.  I, and hopefully many others, will continue the fitness routine upon returning to home.

After the completion of the assessment, we were awarded the coveted "Yellow Brick" and along with my "Blue Brick", have accomplished what I prepared for over the last 2 years. 

For dinner, several of us went to "Thaiphoon" a thai restaurant for some great food.  Some of the more adventurous ones tried out the "Thai Hot" food and they apparently were not fazed by the heat.  Thanks Pat for the recommendation.

Session 246 has been a great learning and growing experience for many, including myself.  I have learned that we all have similar if not identical concerns in our communities we work in, fiscal and crime issues inclusive, but although problematic, agencies have made adjustments, some more drastic than others.  Agencies have resorted to layoffs, furloughs, pay cuts, and other administrative adjustments.  In spite of it all, we all have the same objective, to serve and protect our communities, as we pledged so many years ago when we first put that badge on our uniforms.

Graduation will end the 10 week adventure, but the friendships and networking will continue for many years to come.  I am indeed very proud to be a graduate of the FBI National Academy Session 246!!!

Week #9-Done and counting down.

Howzit folks,

With the "Yellow Brick Road" behind us, we moved into the weekend.  Some of us planned to return to DC and do more sight seeing.  I went with the guys and instead of playing tourist, I ran in the 10th Annual Police, Sheriff, & Fire 9/11 Memorial 5K, which took us in the streets of Crystal City and past the Pentagon. It was a great and memorable event, as there were just over 5000 entrants and because of the significance of the 10th anniversary of the attacks on September 11.  Well organized run and was glad to be a part of it.

Prior to the run, there was an incident in front of the Grand Hyatt, which is where we were staying in DC.  Apparently, there was an unattended vehicle on one of the side streets which was reportedly suspicious, so they locked down an entire 4 block area.  Nothing happened but it was apparent that security forces and law enforcement was making every effort to protect everyone.  Good Job.

Did some cruising through DC with the gang and had a great time in the local joints, eating wings, and having some libations.

Back to the NA on Sunday and started to pack and start Week #10.  Final Exam Week!!!

Until next time, be safe.  Aloha

Yellow Brick Road Challenge-DONE!!!

Howzit folks,  the end result of the weeks of preparation in the gym culminated in the Yellow Brick Road Challenge!!  Predictions of thundershowers didn't prevent Session 246 from starting and completing our mission.  The "E Course" was treacherous with the slick terrain, but we managed to navigate through it.  Upon completing the obstacles, we started the run back to the NA and then the rain started again.  We expected thundershowers at about 1000 hours, but they actually started at about 0900, which delayed the start for the first group. 

The skies cleared up enough to allow the first two groups to start the trek.  Then the next two, then finally the last two groups, which included Section #3.  Climbing aboard the bus, we were transported to the designated starting point...and there we began our mission.

Through slick terrain and man made obstacles, we persevered and chugged along the sloppy course.  Water obstacles and rope climbs provided entertainment and a bump in the heart rate for many.  We continued on until the end of the so called "E Course", which is the very same course that the Marines use for training.

We exited the E Course and started our run back to the NA and then the rain came....in buckets.  Although we expected bad weather, we didn't expect the monsoon conditions.  We all managed to finish...some more wear for the weary, but never the less, completed the mission.  Congratulations to Session 246 for a successful completion of the Yellow Brick Road.

Until next time, be safe and Aloha.

Yellow Brick Road Challenge-Session 246

Howzit folks.  Today's challenge is the culmination of the previous weekly challenges, which hopefully prepared us for this event....The Yellow Brick Road.  We have read and heard about it and now we get to live it. 

The starts will be staggered in hopes of not clogging the course with 252 students and additional participants.

The weather may not be on our side, as thunderstorms are predicted and the temperature will be in the mid 60's.  Due to the recent rains, the course will be slick and treacherous.  Just how we like it!!!

It will indeed be the ultimate challenge....stay tuned.

Week #9

Howzit folks.  Starting an abbreviated Week #9 due to the Labor Day holiday.  As planned, I journeyed to DC to tour more sights that I haven't seen yet.  My first stop was the Museum of American History.  Lots of great exhibits there.  Also toured the National Aquarium.  Had lunch in the cafeteria and the food was expensive, but when you're hungry...

Talk about expensive, I stayed at a Sheraton in DC and went to the bar for a few beers.  A beer was $6.50!!!  The beer was cold, so I couldn't complain, in fact had a few more before calling it a night.

Got up early Sunday and had breakfast at this place called "Harriet's Family Restaurant" or something like that.  It gave the cafeteria here a run for the money.

Visited the Air Force Memorial and the monument is huge.  Nice view of the mall and the surrounding areas, but it was a foggy day.

Got in the rental car and drove to Baltimore and after a few erroneous stops, found the harbor and the place is beautiful.  I kept on hearing this loud buzzing in the background, but thought it was the trains passing through.  Went to their aquarium and they had an impressive shark exhibit, liked it so much, i went around a second time.

Now the buzzing was from the Baltimore Grand Prix race.  Nothing like seeing a bunch of Formula 1 cars screaming through the streets.  Awesome experience.

Lunch was at Dick's Last Resort and if you haven't been to one, have a sense of humor.  Been to one on Dallas and the one in LV and the humor is universal.  Had some nachos which was great.  No beer...gotta drive back to DC.

Bought some thai food and some Shiner Bock for the hotel and turned in early.

The next day, went to visit Arlington Cemetery.  Got there early enough to avoid the large crowds.  Saw JFK's and his brother Ted's burial sites, as well as the Tomb of the Unknown.  Changing of the guard was briefly interrupted by rain, but they pulled it off.

Walked over to the Iwo Jima Memorial for more photos.  Did a bunch of walking today.

Drove back into Virginia and ate lunch at Hibachi Buffet and Sushi.  For lunch, I paid $8.00 plus a drink to have all you can eat sushi, seafood, chinese, and japanese food.  Jeff and I, along with others will be headed there tonight for dinner, which is only $12.00.

The days are numbered here and trying to relish the time spent here as well as the friends I've made.  I am looking forward to going home though.  Soon enough.

Until next time, be safe and Aloha.

Week #8-Officially Done!!!

Howzit folks.  Week #8 was a short week due to the Labor Day holiday.  Students left to either return home or venture out off the base.  It is a ghost town here.  As for me, I am considering venturing out to DC for the weekend, as my suite mate Jeff is returning home to Wisconsin to be with his ohana.

Sunday, our gang drove over to the battlefield in Manasas.  Lots of historical artifacts and structures there and although I am not familiar with the particular battle, it was very interesting and another opportunity to take more photos.  After that, we decided to try out this restaurant that serves Brazilian meat.  Charbroil Grill was the name and they served meat on long skewers and cut pieces for you at your table.  The salad bar was pretty good as well.  Tried all the stuff, top sirloin, bacon wrapped turkey, flank steak, prime rib, and my favorite rib eye, which was unbelievably tender and flavorful.  Left there very full, but not full enough, so before returning to the NA, we stopped at the local Baskin Robbins for dessert.  Damn diet is ruined...again.

Tuesday night was an auction for the NA with the proceeds being donated to the Cops for Kids foundation and the National Law Enforcement Memorial.  Several interesting items were available during the auction, including an autographed Celtics jersey from Larry Bird, which went for over $500.00, a baseball bat signed by Todd Halton, which went for $550.00, and a lot of other stuff.  I bid on a basket of items from the National Law Enforcement Memorial and won that.  As a result, Session 246 will donate a total of just over $13,500 to both charities.  Good Work #246!!!

The food at the Charbroil Grill was so good that we went there again!!!  Stayed with the rib eye, prime rib, and flank steak.  No ice cream this time.

Wednesday morning....the dreaded 5.2 mile "Journey to Oz" challenge run.  The weather was nice and we all set off on the trail run, which was very scenic and quite comfortable due to the cool weather and the shade.  Our counselor Paul had a fall and twisted his ankle, but being the true trooper he is, he finished to run, as did everyone else who started it.  Congratulations!!!  Next week, the final challenge..."The Yellow Brick Road".

Wednesday night was a cookout at "The Grove" and all those in attendance had a great time.  Thanks Hoss.

Getting things done...got a couple more exams, one presentation, and getting ready for the final week and graduation.
Until next time, be safe.  Aloha