Done and Done

After 7 years of being on the list and ten weeks away from home I am officially an NA Grad. Hard to believe that this journey started so long ago and now I am done. The experience was wonderful, the classes enlightening, but most of all the friendships that I gained during my time here are the best. I met some of the best professional men and women from all over the world and will take these contacts with me from now on. The time spent away from home was difficult, but the challenges were all worth the effort put in by everyone involved. Special thanks go out to Mike, Chris and Tab, who I could not have completed the NA without. More importantly to my special wife who stayed the course while I was gone and held things together. To anyone going to the NA, you only get out of it what you put in, and I can say that I got alot out of my time in Quantico. I am now looking forward to maintaining contact with many of my classmates and also taking many of the things that I have learned and applying these toward making my department the best that it can be. This will be my last post and even though I there are certain things that I will miss, mainly the friends, I will not miss sharing a shower with three other guys(not at the same time), CHICKEN in the chow hall, FISH in the chow hall, CHICKEN, and did I mention CHICKEN, but this is the experience of  a lifetime and one that I will never forget. I'm gone.

Week 9

Week 9 is done along with the Yellow Brick Road. We are wrapping up with everything now and next week is nothing more than just a few classes and then graduation. It has been a good week and we all seem ready for the journey to end. The YBR was fun but we are all feeling it and will feel it even more Saturday when the soreness really kicks in, but we all made it. I am going to start packing up this weekend to be ready for the family to arrive on Tuesday. I know that this has been hard on the people that we all left at home and I know from my end that it will be a relief when I get back home and get back into a normal routine. That's pretty much all I have for now, think I will go and ice my knees to hopefully stave off some of the soreness.

Section 2

Got it done!

G

Week 8

One more week down and 2 to go. Looking back it seems so long ago that this journey began, and now I can see graduation. You can tell that everyone is getting a little tired of the place and are beginning to set their eyes on graduation and going home. I know that I am. We had a good weekend this past with going to Spotsylvania and then to The Bavarian Chef for dinner, Wonderful German food and the wait staff was great. I am looking forward to finishing this week out with a few projects and papers due and then getting my stuff all packed up and ready to welcome the family in next Tuesday. Anyway enough for now looking forward to my next post as I finish the YBR!!!!

Finally taking the required FBI photo!

Snow Day

Well, with Wednesday and the challenge came more bad weather. We had 6+ inches of snow for our run and due to the base closing our challenge run of 5 miles in 80 minutes was cancelled. As was pretty much everything else for the day. The snow was beatiful and continuous throughout the day. However, some of us choose to make the best of it and complete the 5 miler on the treadmills in the cardio room. I am glad I went ahead and got it done. Anyway, we are planning to head up to DC this weekend and catch some of the sites that we have not seen yet. We are ending week 8 and I am ready now, more than ever to finish up and head home. 1 more week of class then a couple of days of finals and review then the family will arrive and graduation, then the long drive home. Till next time.



6+ Inches of snow!!



Week 7

Week 7 proved to be a busy one. We had our usual classes through the week, but had international night on Wednesday. This proved to be an experience for some. As each international student brought dine and drink from their prospective countries. I abstained from most of the the drink as it smelled alot like jet fuel and did not have a label on it, however, I did enjoy the wines from Italy and surprisingly from Bulgaria as well. However, I was in bed by ten when some of my classmates choose to stay out a little later and regretted it the next day. Overall, it was an interesting time. It was then time for the weekend, and I don't care what anyone says about New York or Philadelphia, we went to a hunting camp in West Virginia with on of the guys who's parents own it and had a great time. The weather was a little cold but other than that the air was clean and the food was great. Deer stew, hamburgers and the like along with great company made for a very relaxing weekend. This coming week we have the silent auction Monday night, and then we get to run 5 miles on Wednesday and the weather is not supposed to cooperate(Rain and snow on the forecast), but whatever as long as it is one day closer to coming home I will take it. Just a few more presentations to go in class and it will be in the books. Until next time.

West Virginia with the guys

International Night

Philidelphia Trip

Well we had a great weekend in Philly. The local FOP lodge where they treated us to a "Taste of Philadelphia" which was great. Philly cheesesteak was the order of the day. The lodge itself is brand new and is beatiful. Then headed over to the Police training range for a demo of some of their toys. SWAT and bomb demo along with K9. Also went to the head qaurters bldg. We then went to our hotels and then were treated to a local Irish Pub. The next day we went to Independance Hall and saw the Liberty Bell and several other points of interest. We left there and took a behind the scenes tour of Citizens Bank Park were the Phillies play. Then went to run the "Rocky" steps at the art museum and took pictures at the statue, had a wonderful dinner at the Comcast Bldg. and then proceeded to travel back to NA. Great but busy weekend. A guy made a statement this morning that I felt was very appropriate in that he said that it felt like the movie "Groundhog Day' because every morning seems to blend into the next, but I know that the end is in site. Everyone is finishing up on papers and group assignments. Most have made their reservations at the local hotels by now and getting ready to graduate in about 3 weeks. We have international night this week which should be interesting with all the foreign flavor. Anyway that's all I have for now. Time to take a shower and get ready for another day.

Behind home plate at Citizens Park

Yo!!

Short Note

Prayers to Jay Carr and his family. My wife texted me this morning and told me that Bryan, their 5 year old, who has been undergoing treatment at Duke for a rare disease for the last year, has gone to be with the Lord last night. They are a strong family in Christ, but they are in need of prayer support. Bryan's story has been inspirational and his strength has been incredible to follow through the blog. We who are Christians know that Bryan is with his Heavenly Father and will be missed here, but knowing that he is no longer sick is a blessing. Pray for his siblings and mother and father as they are now left here to carry on, they have shown a strength that is unfathomable. I Peter 2:24 "By His stripes we are healed".

Week Six

Beginning week 6 and after a weekend home I got to say it was hard getting on the plane to come back here. However, but a few short weeks and we will be done. It was wonderful to see my family again and see that they are getting along without me OK. It was also great to get to cook out on my grill and eat a real steak. We will be busy this week with it being short week after the holiday and then heading up to Philly for the weekend. We have a speaker this week on Wednesday being Bobby Smith. I have heard that he is really inspirational and I am looking forward to hearing him. I am going to try and get reservations at a hotel for when my family comes up for graduation as well on Wednesday, as they say things will start to fill up after the beginning of March. Anyway got to get ready to go to class. Until next time.

Week 5

Well, week 5 is almost done and things are moving along. We went to the LE memorial last night and even though it was sleeting it was a very moving ceremony. I can't wait to fly out of here tomorrow for the long weekend. It will be great to get home and eat something that is not CHICKEN! We also got to hear a presentation from Mike Durant the Black Hawk Pilot from the Somalia mission. He gave great insight to the mission and his experience of crashing and being held for 11 days. The walls are not closing in yet, but I feel the need to get out of here more than ever. Next week is a short week for classes and then next Saturday we leave for the Philadelphia trip which I am very much looking forward to. It looks like they plan to keep us busy up there as well. Anyway enough for now time to get geared up for PT in the morning and then a couple of classes then it's off to the airport and then home sweet home!

Wreath laid at the Law Enforcement Memorial

Week 4

Another one in the books. The weeks keep going by and my time remaining here grows shorter. Classes are moving along and the challenges get a little harder each week. This week is the 3.1 mile run, but looks like the weather will cooperate so it should make for a good day. We will also hear Mike Durant speak on his time in Somalia for the whole "Black Hawk Down" thing when he was captured. Should be very good.We are planning to go to the LE Memorial this week as well. Had a good weekend so far. We went to Gettysburg Saturday. The weather was good just cold and it was a wonderful tour of the battlefield. I would recommend it to anyone. I am missing home, but am looking forward to heading back this weekend for the long 3 days with the holiday. It will make for a good Valentines day present for all. I am planning to go to the main PX today to get some cards to carry home next weekend and take care of a few other things today. The NY trip was this weekend and with winter storm "Nemo" hitting with full force I am glad that I did not go, all though I know they will have a good time. I am looking forward to going to Philly in a couple of weeks. I will leave it at that for now and will update as I go.

Week 3

They were not kidding when they say that things speed up here. Week 3 is done and moving on to week 4. This plans to be another busy week. They postponed the trip to the LE Memorial due to expected bad weather so we will do that next week. This will have to be short as I am about to head to class. Hope to update further as the week goes. On an inside note thanks for all the prayers this week.

Week 2 Down

Well week two is done and things seem to picking up as far as the pace goes, graduation still seems a long way off. We had a good week, busy with classes and challenges.  We had some snow this week which was nice to see, but it has been bitterly cold to go with that. We had a good weekend so far a group of us went into DC yesterday and saw the Holocaust Museum and the war memorials I think we must have walked 5 miles in all and then went for Chicago style pizza after at the recommendation of my roommate. Uno pizza just outside of DC very good. I think we are going to stay in today and finish some papers to stay ahead of the game. we may try to get out this afternoon, but I am not sure yet. Got to ready for a busy week ahead, more classes and challenges. Till next time.

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!! View outside my room window.

My roommate and me at the steps to the Lincoln Memorial.

Week One Challenge

The week one challenge is in the books. A very cold 1.5 mile run on the road. The temperature when we started was 11 degrees, yes 11!!! The good part was that it was only 1.5 miles the bad part is that it is supposed to be 55 next Wednesday. Classes still going well and have most of my papers written, just doing some review work to make sure they are right. We have flag night tonight, we will trade patches and meet the new agents that are coming to our respective states.Should be a good time. Anyway, staying busy to keep my mind off of things at home and missing the family. Post when I can.

Beginning Week 2

Alas, the weekend is coming to a close and after the long holiday weekend it is back to work. I have completed several papers to date with a few more to go to include several group projects. Things are starting to fall into place as far as the cafeteria schedule goes, but with this being the beginning of another week it will be a relearning process all over again. Spoke to some of the guys from back at the department this weekend and it was good to hear from them. We did not do much today as it would have been almost impossible to get into DC with the inauguration going on just worked on some papers. We are going to try and get in next weekend to see some of the sites. Graduation still seems a long way off, but everyone that I have heard from says that it comes on before you know it. I will have to wait and see on that one. They do try to keep you busy here and I am still seeing new faces everyday. I am beginning to miss the day-to-day of being at home and missing my wife and kids. I am planning to go home on February 15 and that day can't get here soon enough. Until next time.

Week One in the Books

Well, week one is done and so far so good. The amount of outside classwork seems to be alot, but we have been assured that we will all make it through without any issue. We will see. The food here is better than expected and the whole dorm room type of living is still foreign, but I am getting used to it in time.Still getting into the swing of things regarding classes and where they are, but they are getting better. We went to the Firearms Museum this morning and it is an absolute must see. We all wished that we could have taken pictures, but it was not allowed due to the recent issues with guns and such. Then we traveled to Arlington National Cemetery which was, as always, very inspiring. Watching the changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier is incredible to see. We had the opportunity to go to the Globe and Laurel restaurant and what a great place. Steaks were very good and it was great to meet the owner and his son on the cigar patio. I highly recommend that any LE officer go and enjoy looking at the over 7,000 police patches on the wall. Getting geared up for next week going to try and write a couple of papers Monday during the holiday and staying ahead of the game.

The guys at Arlington. Me, Craig Mueller, Mike Hudson

The donut patch at Globe and Laurel restaurant

Day one down

Day one is in the books. We will take the fit test in the AM and start a fairly regular schedule after that. The section conselors are great to work with and are very helpful. Mike (SCSO) and I took his roommate (Jordan) to get some things squared away and learned that he works in intellegence and was shot in 2003 with the bullet still in his stomach. He laughed and said that was how he got promoted. We live in a blessed country. Had our welcome dinner tonight and earlier elected the section people that will handle things like collecting money for dues and the like. (I declined) Meeting more and more great quality people everyday and continue to enjoy the whole setting. I am trying to be as detailed as possible without giving away everything, as this is how I learned alot prior to coming up here. I am getting tired and am in need of a good nights sleep in prep for the AM run. OUT.

A day at the Battlefields

Spent the day at Fredricksburg and Chanchlorville Battlefields. Awe inspiring places to visit and realize the history in the area. By the way does the sun ever come out here, it has been a constant fog since arriving on Saturday. Tomorrow begins the first day of class (not really as it is drop add) looking forward to getting started and taking care of things. Have all ready made a couple of trips to the Boardroom and discovered a couple of other guys from Alabama.War Eagle!Nice to here a southern accent and talk about deer hunting.  Also Nice to here from NA 246 Thanks for the encouragement.

Finally Here!

Finally made it up here. It took almost 12 hours of driving in heavy fog to get here, but got here none the less. Checking in was a breeze thanks to a wonderful staff here at NA. So far the food is good, but still in recovery mode from the drive. Also met my roommate today a good guy from Springfield Il. The rooms are much more than I expected. They are cramped but still with plenty of room for all the stuff needed to get by. I still can't get over how helpful everyone here is. Any questions that you have they seem to have all ready thought of and the run things with a military efficiency. I will try to keep this updated as much as possible and include pictures when I find out how to get that done. I am going to try and hit the boardroom when it opens at 8:00 tonight and catch a little of the game. Anyway as I said I am going to try and update as often as possible for the guys coming after me. We are going to try and get around town tomorrow and learn our way around.

1 Week out 01/06/13

I am now less than a week away from leaving for the NA. I feel as prepared as I can be and am looking forward to the whole experience. My wife is apprehensive concerning the time apart as am I, but realize that I am going to try and get home in February and then they are coming up for graduation. Anyway, this is my first attempt at "blogging" so hopefully will get better as time goes and can add pics as the opportunity arises.