josephjrr
01-10-2002, 22:22
After months of waiting in anticipatation we finally got to get a taste of what to expect in our upcoming Academy class during a family accompanied briefing and tour.
We were introduced to some of our training staff and the Chief. They made it clear to us that we will be yelled at, intentionally rushed, and placed in situations of "organized chaos". We weren't on the payroll just yet, but already the staff was taunting us by doing that ever so familiar repeating of enthusiasm probing questions like this, "Are we ready? (insert dead silence)...I can't hear you..."ARE WE READY?"...class yells "YES SIR!!"
After a speech by the Chief where he reiterated the need for this large class to fill some serious shortages, all 60 of us each got our picture taken with the Chief. This was followed by a ceremony where we were each introduced to the departmental command staff as highlights (hobbies and colleges each attended) about each particular recruit were read aloud.
Afterward we mingled and talked amongst ourselves, our families, and some of the staff. This was followed by a tour of the Academy grounds with our families.
My intial impression when I first walked in was WOW this is a large class. After hearing some demagraphics touted by the staff and hearing the highlights of our fellow recruits it became clear that despite a "hiring shortage" this department was able to attract a large number of very highly qualified candidates. Out of roughly 60-65 candidates:
*45 had bachelors degrees
*20 had prior law-enforcement experience
*15 (rough estimate) were prior military
*3(rough estimate) spoke foriegn languages
Its gonna be rough, tiring, mentally taxing, and involve alot of studying but I have a feeling that depite that we are going to make some lifelong friends and most importantly we are gonna HAVE FUN!!
MCPD Academy: The First Week---coming next week
We were introduced to some of our training staff and the Chief. They made it clear to us that we will be yelled at, intentionally rushed, and placed in situations of "organized chaos". We weren't on the payroll just yet, but already the staff was taunting us by doing that ever so familiar repeating of enthusiasm probing questions like this, "Are we ready? (insert dead silence)...I can't hear you..."ARE WE READY?"...class yells "YES SIR!!"
After a speech by the Chief where he reiterated the need for this large class to fill some serious shortages, all 60 of us each got our picture taken with the Chief. This was followed by a ceremony where we were each introduced to the departmental command staff as highlights (hobbies and colleges each attended) about each particular recruit were read aloud.
Afterward we mingled and talked amongst ourselves, our families, and some of the staff. This was followed by a tour of the Academy grounds with our families.
My intial impression when I first walked in was WOW this is a large class. After hearing some demagraphics touted by the staff and hearing the highlights of our fellow recruits it became clear that despite a "hiring shortage" this department was able to attract a large number of very highly qualified candidates. Out of roughly 60-65 candidates:
*45 had bachelors degrees
*20 had prior law-enforcement experience
*15 (rough estimate) were prior military
*3(rough estimate) spoke foriegn languages
Its gonna be rough, tiring, mentally taxing, and involve alot of studying but I have a feeling that depite that we are going to make some lifelong friends and most importantly we are gonna HAVE FUN!!
MCPD Academy: The First Week---coming next week