A little over a month late but here is Lt. Craig Schwartz’s update while attending the FBI National Academy. Look to previous posts for all the installments.
Nov 14, 2012
International Night
Four and a half weeks to go here at the NA, and we just finished International Night. The event is set up for all of our international students to share their nations’ food, drink, and culture with us. Each of the students brings information about their country, along with some great food and some favorite drinks from his or her homeland. I had some great Pad Thai along with another very spicy Thai dish that I liked, but can’t remember the name of. The Mongolian food was great, as was the Dulce de Leche from Argentina. The Spanish Sangria was excellent as well. We all had a great time getting to know our international students a little better. Our class of 262 includes students from the following nations (in no particular order): Afghanistan; Armenia; Benin; Argentina; Brazil; Chile; Thailand; Taiwan; South Korea; The Maldives; Iraq (Kurdistan); Slovenia; Hungary; Ukraine; Spain; France; Germany; Poland; Estonia; Finland; Great Britain; Bermuda; Uganda; Benin; Nigeria; Tanzania; Mongolia; New Zealand; and Canada.
Tragedy
Unfortunately the night was punctuated by another tragedy for a member of the class. One of our classmates from New York State went home to be with his family this weekend. His 14 year old son had a track meet in Buffalo and collapsed in cardiac arrest. Emergency personnel were able to resuscitate him, but the young man passed away in the hospital this evening. As I’ve said before, there has been a great deal of tragedy for the members of Session 251. I am very thankful for the blessings of family and friends. Please remember to appreciate the people who are important to you.
Physical Challenge
We only have two physical challenges left before we go home. Today’s challenge was a 30 minute cardio mixer around the track in the 30 degree morning air. It was fun for all, and no one got hurt. Some of us finished up with some rope climbs after the challenge, then a mile and a half swim after lunch. Three more mile and a half swims and I’ll be done with the Blue Brick challenge. The athletic facilities here are incredible, and the PT instructors are so good I wish I could bring mine home as a coach. Our next Yellow Brick Road challenge is a 5.2 mile run for time, followed in the first week of December with the actual Yellow Brick Road challenge. That’s the 6.1 mile run that includes 3 or so miles on the Marine Corps Endurance Course. It is a trail run through the woods with 26 obstacles of different types for us to overcome. I’m looking forward to it, but kind of hoping there’s no snow on the ground. The water obstacles would be better if we didn’t have to break through ice to go through!
SRPD Chief Visits
Chief Schwedhelm and Captain Negri took some vacation days and flew out to visit for Veteran’s Day weekend. We had a busy, but great weekend touring the Academy, Civil War battlefields, Washington, DC, and Annapolis. One of my classmates from the U.S. Capitol Police set up a tour through the Capitol Building that was excellent. We got to see the House Floor and learn quite a bit of the building’s history. There was far too much to present here, but if you are coming to DC, contact your Congressional Representative early to arrange a tour. You won’t be disappointed. Another of the weekend highlights came during our trip to Arlington National Cemetery. We watched a wreath laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknowns and then walked down to the United States Marine Corps Memorial, also known as the Iwo Jima Memorial. We happened on the Marines from the famed 8th and I Barracks in DC conducting a parade to celebrate the USMC birthday. The Commandant of the Corps was spoke, as did the former Commandant, General James Jones. It was an impressive and moving ceremony.
As I’ve said before, this is a great program, but I’m looking forward to getting home to see family, friends and get back to work. At the same time, I know that as soon as I leave here I will miss the many friends I’ve made over the last seven weeks. It has definitely been a worthwhile experience and one of the high points of my career.
Lt. Craig Schwartz of Santa Rosa Police Department posted his experiences at the FBI National Academy on Facebook.
