Check
In: Be
prepared to spend a night in one of the several local hotels or motels if you
arrive before check-in day. The first roommate to arrive gets first pick of
beds, dressers and desks.
My suggestion is get there as early as possible, get your room and take
the bed near the door to the hallway.
Trust me on this one.
Parking:
The
Academy has close-in, free parking.
Front
Desk: When you walk into the Jefferson, you will see a large
desk straight in front of you. A person there will verify your name and give
you your magnetic clip-on student ID card with a tiny slip of paper indicating
your name and room number. You will also receive an introduction package, which
includes a schedule.
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| Entrance to Jefferson - Front Desk Area |
You can pull your vehicle up front. There will be new agent in training from the junior FBI Class that are assigned to help take your items to your room, no need to tip but give them a patch or something.
Dorm
Rooms: If you haven’t lived in a dormitory in a while (or ever),
this might be a big adjustment. The rooms have two (2) single beds, two (2) desks
and two (2) dressers. Two (2) rooms (four (4) people share a shower, toilet and
two (2) sinks (unless you get into the Jefferson dorm, then you have a room to
yourself.) Flexibility and patience help a lot.
Roommates:
Roommates are assigned and will very rarely be changed, just get use to it. U. S. and international
students will be mixed, and you will not room with someone from the same state. There are very few circumstances that room
assignments are changed. One is cultural
familiarity. If you speak a foreign
language you may request a room with a person who speaks both English and a
second language.
This was my roommate, Captain Pat Robinson of the Sarasota Police Department. Pat and I both knew we were going to the NA at the same time but not that we would be roommates. The NA does not put folks from the same area together, in fact the opposite to promote networking and getting to know police officers from other parts of the world that do the same job as you. When I walked into the dorm room and saw Pat we just kept our mouths shut, we already knew each other and it was a chance to get to know each other better. It worked out great because it turns out even though he is from a neighboring jurisdiction, in fact part of the Airport is in the City of Sarasota, it just strengthened both our departments working relationships even more. I hope to see Pat become a Police Chief one day. He is a dedicated hard worker and a good family man too. We can call on each other for anything.
This was my roommate, Captain Pat Robinson of the Sarasota Police Department. Pat and I both knew we were going to the NA at the same time but not that we would be roommates. The NA does not put folks from the same area together, in fact the opposite to promote networking and getting to know police officers from other parts of the world that do the same job as you. When I walked into the dorm room and saw Pat we just kept our mouths shut, we already knew each other and it was a chance to get to know each other better. It worked out great because it turns out even though he is from a neighboring jurisdiction, in fact part of the Airport is in the City of Sarasota, it just strengthened both our departments working relationships even more. I hope to see Pat become a Police Chief one day. He is a dedicated hard worker and a good family man too. We can call on each other for anything. |
| These are some of the International students from our class posing with us at the Marine Corps Officers Club on the IACP Night. IACP sponsors a night at the club for us. It was a great time to fellowship and hear about the great benefits of the IACP. |
First
Days
Orientation: The first 72 hours of the NA will be extremely busy with a tremendous amount of information coming at you from every direction. Consider keeping a daily journal to refer to later. Don’t be surprised to be a little disoriented and uncomfortable at first. Everyone is, but it will pass.
The confusion of finding your way around will go away after week one. To navigate what they call the "gerbil tubes" just look outside to get your bearings. It all looks the same inside and it is easy to get lost. You may not even catch on till week 4 but don't worry just ask someone where to go or follow your classmates.
Mail:
Your address at the Academy will be:
Your
name
FBI National Academy
Session __, Section __
1 Range Road
Quantico, VA 22135
Receiving Mail: You’ll
get assigned a section when you arrive; if you ship something without the
section number on it, it will eventually get to you. For safety, all mail will
be opened and x-rayed when it arrives at the Academy, so don’t be surprised.
Mail delivery can be slow.
Telephone:
Each room has a phone capable of receiving incoming calls. There is a
voice-mail system shared by the roommates. You can make toll free calls (800
and 888) as well as long distance calls charged to a credit card. Try to have
access to a long distance service with an 800 number. There is also a vending
machine on campus that sells calling cards.
Laundry: Washers
and dryers are available in the dormitory at no cost. They stay busy so look
for off peak times like between classes, especially if you have a class near
them. Take out a load and switch out on breaks, it works! Everyone is using the
machines, even the new agent classes. Each floor has an iron and ironing board.
If you don’t iron or do laundry, the Academy has a laundering and dry cleaning
service available to students for a fee.
Firearms: You do not need a firearm for the NA. Some
officers who drive (especially those using cruisers) prefer to carry their
firearm. If you elect to do this, you will be required to store your firearm in
your car or in the armory at the academy. Firearms cannot be brought into the
academy building or stored in your room. Because
you are on a secure base, securing it in the trunk is a safe and common
practice.
A word to the wise about
drinking: You can enjoy an adult beverage in the “Boardroom” lounge in the main building or the Grove which
is outdoors, that’s it! Keep your alcohol in your trunk in the parking lot. It
is close to the Grove, nowhere else for storage. Alcohol is not allowed in your
dorm room at all, you will risk getting kicked out if caught with it! Bottom line… Don’t screw up involving alcohol, they are
serious. When
they kick you out your agency is informed so you may not have a job when you
return. If you drink,
DON’T drive. You have two check points to go through and it doesn’t
matter who you are. Take turns being the designated driver.
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| The Grove |
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| The Grove |