First day at the academy

[SWAT1088]

I was curious if someone could tell me what their first day or even week at the academy was like. Especially military type academies. I'm just trying to get a heads up before I ship off in three weeks. Thanks

[Ridgeback]

Imagine the absolute worst you can, and then it won't seem so bad. Not trying to be a smart a$$, but I am glad I am a pessimist. That is how I am getting thru. And remember, they can't actually kill you. You may think you are going to die, but you won't. :D

Oh, and take it one day at a time. Don't think ahead to week 4 or week 18. One of our instructors said to make each day the best one yet. Yeah, you are going to have bad days, but the next one will be better. This has helped me out alot.

And, all these words of wisdom comes from someone that just finished week 4....only 23 weeks to go. Which would be depressing if I was thinking about it in that way. :p

Good luck and keep your head up!

[SWAT1088]

27 weeks?????? glad mine is 10

[Ridgeback]

Originally posted by SWAT1088
27 weeks?????? glad mine is 10

That isn't including the 14 weeks of field training. :)

I can't even imagine what 10 weeks would be like...are you a lateral? Who are you on with, if you don't mind me asking?

[CO_Hopeful]

Ridgeback,

Haven't heard anything from you....or did I just miss some posts? Already in Week 4 with APD.....what are you studying right now? Any instructors you like/dislike? We have some of the same instructors, although you are at the PD academy.

The real nice part is you are getting paid to attend FT....while us peons are putting ourselves through this chaos, and holding down FT jobs.

Thankfully there is a light at the end of the tunnel for me. Can't wait to hit the streets in a few months.

[Ranger337]

My first day at the acadmy was mostly paper work and learning the customs of the academy. The thing I will remember the mosty was that in our academy we celebrated birthdays with push-ups. One for every year. The reason why I remember this so well is that my RTO (Recruit Training Officer) birthday was the first day, and mine was just 2 days before. So on day one we got to celebrate with 79 push-ups.

The first week the class was just trying to get to know each other, and then new freindships started to develop. We all worked together and tried to help each other as much as we could so that we would all pass. We all had the same goal, and we all knew what it took. So we decided to help each other and have everybody pass.

Good Luck in the academy, and don't forget to keep us posted on your progress.

Ranger337
Be Well

[Tank]

APD? Aurora? I have a friend who just left Albuquerque PD and is in the Aurora academy. I understand the pay and benefits are pretty decent up there.

Take it easy.

Tank

[RWPD_262]

Good luck to ya. 262

[Ridgeback]

Tank, it's gotta be Schnicke! He already got nailed as class leader. I think he was the week after me. We were joking it was the curse of the S's, as the first 4 class leaders all had last names beginning w/ "s". He seems to be doing well and will graduate early due to being a lateral. Very nice guy. I like him. If I knew you as anything more than "Tank" I'd tell him you said hi. PM me if you want me to pass something along to him.

CO Hopeful, I love all the classes and the instructors are top notch, bar none. Yeah, some are harder on us than others, but I don't dislike any of them. They are just doing their best to get us ready for the street. I am just amazed by the quality of the classes and the knowledge of the instructors. I really can't imagine any academy being better than APD's. We have a couple of outside lecturers that have the best stories and I love to see their names on the schedules. And yeah, it is nice to be sitting there getting paid. You are to be commended as I wouldn't/couldn't have paid to go thru an academy. Altho, I did find out that we are getting college credits for our academy. Don't know if they will apply towards my master's or not. When do you take POST?

[CO_Hopeful]

All the instructors have been great for us as well.....we've had our fair share of ass chewings, and one unmerited one, but the material is very helpful. I've known for a long time this is what I've wanted to do, but I still had apprehensions, you know? Each class that passes....I feel more prepared and better trained, making those apprehensions diminish.

I am scheduled to take POST on May 16. Last night was our last class for 2 weeks, so I'm planning on enjoying a couple weeks of normalcy.

I know you'll be done before me, so I look forward to reading more of your posts. I have many classmates really wanting to get on with Aurora, but I can't imagine having to sit through another 4-5 months of an academy after this 10 month journey.

Let me know what shift and district you get....I'll be interested to know.

[Dave710]

the 10-12 week academy is for illinois. Good luck swat, illinois state isnt that hard- just when you compare it to illinois police training institute.

I suggest breaking the academy into sections. First break it up into each week 1- 10. Then break it up to each day of the week and focus on doing your best each day. That will not only help you get through alive, but if you try hard enough and give 100% each day you could be one of the top grads.
Let me know if you see anyone from DeKalb county illinois there

Good luck and email me once you get out!