Vehicle: If at all possible drive to Quantico
Having a car really helps while you’re here. It enables you to bring everything you’ll need. It also gives you a chance to meet folks from faraway places who can’t bring a car; they’ll appreciate the occasional ride to dinner, shopping or sightseeing. You will also be able to drive to shopping and local attractions, otherwise you will basically be stuck on base looking for a ride. If you are a foreign student and obviously can not bring a car you can rent one now and then. I saw several foreign students who rented cars for special weekend trips, also many classmates with cars will get you around, don't worry, just make friends with some early. Everyone is very kind. All the FBI trips provide transportation too. It is excursions on your own that you need the car for. There is a lot to see that you will want to take advantage of. Also several people in your class will be bike riders. You can bring a bike, there is a bike shed, an old outdoor greenhouse near the track. The base has great rides and it is very safe. I highly recommend it, I did and made some great memories too!
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This is my Toyota Prius that I took with me. I got made fun of by some classmates but I am helping to save the environment and I got great MPG the whole time too! This was a great car to use to get around in DC. Parking is tight and I was almost always able to slip into a spot. I had it packed full with NA swag (gifts & such) by the time the course ended. |
Driving on Base: Obey ALL traffic rules on the base. The young MP’s are strict and it doesn’t matter if you are in a cruiser or not. They take it very serious. Only hands free cell phone and GPS use is permitted while driving on the base. If it says 15 mph you better do 14 mph. There are a lot of runners so watch out for them when driving too.
Cell Service & Internet Service: This was probably one of the biggest issues for folks at the NA. Either you could get a signal or not. I never saw an in-between. The only cell service that works well historically at the Academy buildings is Verizon. I think Verizon has a cell repeater on a water tower right at the Academy. It even works in the basements. I had AT&T and switched to Verizon during the NA, it was that tough to get a signal. Factor this in if you want to use your cell and everyone does, either as an internet hotspot for their laptop, to check their email, call family or use Skype & FaceTime to see loved ones. All the other services had a poor signal or no coverage/signal at all. When they needed to make a voice call they went outside to the middle of the grass to get their provider's signal as there was none or little inside the buildings. It was a running joke with us... we knew who had Verizon because they could talk anywhere and the rest of use were hugging the windows or outside. Whenever anyone went into town though they had great coverage with the other services... cell towers were obviously there. It showed me how much we rely on the cell and internet. One solution that I saw if you can't switch that did work was get a Verizon pay as you go phone and use it while you are there or purchase a Verizon MiFi device and buy a chunk of data for it for the 10 weeks. I saw a lot of folks with those too, good luck!
Computer: Bring one if you can. A laptop is perfect for the limited space. You can do all your work in your room, when you want, dressed, as you want. It may also help you avoid losing work. Desk space in your room is very limited. You should also bring a thumb drive or two (useful for projects and picture sharing.) You can purchase wireless service in your room if you choose thru the FBINA Associates. There are public areas with free wireless but they are very slow.
Printer/Scanner: Bring a portable one if you can or buy an inexpensive one at Wal-Mart when you arrive. It is perfect as you can use it for your projects email receipts, etc back to work. You might want to bring extra ink cartridges and one pack of paper. There are printers in the library and computer labs as well, but they are used a lot and you will need to get on a library computer to print. The international students are on them all the time and I understand because it is tough for them to bring a computer and printer. Be nice and offer to help them.
Computer Labs: There are a couple of computer labs and the library too. The internet is slow there but the computers are good. The foreign students will be the ones using the computers the most and some FBI new agents in training. An underused location with a very fast connection is the computer training classroom. When I was at the NA you could use it even if you were not in a computer class. I highly recommend taking one of the computer classes. You leave with a wealth of knowledge and have access to a very fast connection. There is also another little used PC type cafe room next to the chapel. It is quiet and the computers are good.
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| FBINA 257 Coffee Tumbler |
Clothing: Do not over pack! You’ll wear the required uniform (green shirt, khaki pants and black tennis shoes) Monday through Friday from 0700 to 1730 during the week. At night and on weekends, you can wear casual clothes. You must have business attire (suit and tie or dress uniform) for graduation and on a couple of other occasions. One suit is really all you need. If you signed up for one of the public speaking classes, you’ll wear business attire more often. You’ll have very little use for a lot of dress clothes, but you may want business casual outfits for other events. You might want to bring a uniform for the IACP dinner and one or two other special events.
Do bring comfortable shoes, a warm jacket and gloves (for fall and winter sessions and probably spring too) for sightseeing. The winter quarter requires additional clothing especially for physical training. You’ll want sweat pants, sweatshirts, gloves and a hat (preferably one that covers your entire head and neck for really cold days), especially if you’re from a warm climate and not used to the cold. Rain gear is a good idea, too. You will find two pairs of running shoes helpful as they will get wet and muddy.
Medical Information: Prior to coming to the NA, contact your health care provider and determine if and how your coverage works while you are away from home. The odds of getting sick are high with so many people sharing space. When one person gets sick 50 people get sick, so be prepared. Bring, (or prepare to purchase after you arrive) a supply of over-the-counter medicines (such as pain relievers, cold and allergy medicines, Ben-Gay/Icy Hot, etc.) An ice pack or heating pad might also come in useful. If you’re from outside the United States, bring a 3-month supply of your prescription drugs in case your prescriptions are not honored here. There is a doctor and clinic on site and a Walgreens outside the south gate.
Helpful Items to Bring for Your Room (in no particular order):Note: If you are flying, you probably want to either ship some of these items to the Academy or just buy them after you arrive due to the weight restrictions on baggage. Don't worry there is plenty of modern shopping right out of the back gate. The Marine Commissary is good too, no tax! Consider carefully what you want to bring and what to buy later; the items listed below are helpful, but not required. You might want to bring a small supply of some items and pick up more later. (For international students, the exchange rate might work for or against you here.)
- Soft extra pillow (the one you get here is hard, heavy, feather filled kind)
- Mattress pad/foam egg crate material can make the bed more comfortable!
- Soap and body lotions, other toiletries, or wet wipes.
- Small appliances. Including small reading lamp (one that clips to the head of the bed works well), coffee maker, vaporizer/humidifier (especially in winter), a fan in summer, and a small dorm type fridge!!! You will go and eat off base it is good for leftovers or to bring back fruit or other stuff from the cafeteria and drinks….
- Extension cord(s)/power strip/surge protectors for computer, a must! Outlets are limited.
- International students will need an adapter for appliances (electricity in the US is 110 volts.)
- Two plastic crates and one 5’ X1’ shelf to sit atop the dresser for added storage
- Camera or use the one in your phone. Take lots of pictures to remember your time.
- Business cards, agency patches, pins, caps, shirts (for trading with your 300 fellow students. Patch & Pin night is usually week 2 and trading goes on thought the session informally.
- Detergent and/or fabric softener for laundry (you can buy more later off base)
- One lock for gym locker.
- Dorm rooms do not lock. As small safe is provided for valuables. Theft is a non-issue.
- Stamps to mail letters and cards. They have an excellent mail room with lots of free envelopes, etc. Also an electronic postage machine in there.
- Swimming gear
including ear and nose plugs and goggles (The pool uses the buddy
system for safety; PT classes play water polo sometimes.) We only swam
once unless you are doing the blue brick.
- Earplugs (some
roommates snore, and there is little soundproofing in the dorm.)
- Office supplies, including the following:
Ø 3-hole punch Ø Tacks or push pins
If you forget something, don’t worry. Anything you need can be found On Garrisonville Road just outside the back entrance to the base (10 minute ride). It has EVERY store imaginable and good food places! Things provided by the academy:
- blanket/twin comforter.
- Sheets for twin, extra long bed.
- TV with cable access
- alarm clock (with radio)
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| NA Beer Stein. Be your sections jewelry rep and get it FREE |
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| Check Out The Serial Numbers... Lowest Printing In U.S. History! |
Expenses: You’ll be buying section shirts (polo), photographs, a counselor’s gift, challenge shirts, jackets, class ring, entertainment, etc. You’ll probably spend a lot of money on FBINA marked clothing and souvenirs for yourself, family and friends. Various trips are offered, New York weekend $600-$700, Philadelphia weekend $250-$300. These are often done on a lottery system. Everyone loved the trips and those who did not go deeply regretted it later, once in a lifetime experiences! Sightseeing, eating out, and other things will drain your wallet quickly too. Think about how much you can spend. Students have estimated that they spend anywhere from several hundred to several thousand dollars. It depends on the number of activities you choose to participate in. About $1,500 – $2,000 is a safe figure. Honestly this is a deal. You will never get this chance again to see all the sites in DC over 10 weeks. If you did this on a vacation it would be many many thousands so don't cheap out... do everything!
Banking: The Justice Federal Credit Union has branches here. There is an ATM machine on campus.
PX Privileges: There is a small PX (store) at the Academy and a large PX on the main side of the Marine base. Your ID will let you shop at both and get you in the main side gate. There are some good deals at the Marine PX. You can not purchase alcohol or tobacco there unless you are military. There is NO SALES TAX!
At the PX Purchase: The FBINA recommends you buy the following items. You can have your department buy some of these before you come. The previous session will often leave some slightly used items. Go to the washing machine area first and they will be in boxes. They are free so get them early. There are always polo shirts, workout gear, and some pants. I also saw suit jackets for those who did not have one hanging on the wall. Don't feel bad using the items, they are free. Also in the end closets in the dorm halls there are left over items. First come gets them unless they are marked for another student. Some agencies leave the items there for their next people attending. Please do not take them unless they are not marked. These are generally room items, fridges, supplies, etc.
3 khaki pants (2) or bring your own: they use 511 brand, hit Quartermaster
3 green NA shirts (3) The previous session may leave a bunch of slightly used ones= free
3 NA gym shorts3 NA gym shirts
1 sweat suit (you can bring your own). They use plain grey.
1 black or brown belt (bring your own)
Also your black tennis shoes bring your own comfortable ones (1 Pair)