[countymounty]

Can anybody give me some pointers on the mixed-basic program at FLETC? I'm headed there within a few months and I'd like to hear from people who've completed it. I'm hoping to get some tips on what to expect, should I bring a vehicle, is there anything to do in the area on the weekends etc etc. Any info. would be appreciated. Thanks.

 

[MCLEA]

I would say either try to bring a car or plan on hooking up with someone down there who has one. There's not much to do on the base (other than drink and hang out).

The one downside to brining a car is parking. I was always allowed to park in any of the lots - but the basic students are usually prohibited from parking in most areas and have to leave their cars in the dorm lots - often far away from the classrooms, training areas, and dining hall. A lot of the students used bikes to get around on the base.

The food at FLETC is pretty good - especially as compared to the cuisine served at Quantico lately. Lots of variety and its decent. It is nice to get an off-campus meal though. I recommend the King and Prince Resort - Friday nights - they have a great seafood buffet and the place is right on the water.

Do you know what dorm you're staying in? I strongly recommend (not that you have a choice...185, 186, 187). On-base contract housing that rivals many hotels. Brand new construction, air conditioned single rooms, very clean, Microwave, telephone, TV, private bathrooms, in-ground pools in the courtyard, vending machines etc... I've always stayed there or in off-base hotels. I've heard horror stories about some of the other rooms. If you end up in off-base housing you definitely need a car. The shuttle service to and from the off-base hotels is lousy. They're about 4-5 miles from FLETC. The shuttle service on-base is pretty good.

There's not much to do out there. Jeckly Island and St. Simon's Island are ok trips...not much going on there though. Savannah is worth the trip - as well as Jacksonville, FLA.

When are you going? I've been there in August before...needless to say - it's HOT. Bring a good pair of Oakleys and UnderArmor Heat gear. If you carry a piece down there you have to check it in the main building when you first arrive. They have a strict 'no weapons' on base policy - 'cept the red guns the students carry and the weapons they issue you at the range.

Anyway....FLETC really is what you make of it. I've made a lot of friends down there - both students and instructors. It's a great place for networking and to make contacts. (Note: instructors are expressly prohibited from socializing with basic students - e.g. if they see a student in a bar off-campus / off-duty - they have to leave). Anyway, send me a PM if you would like more information.

 

[Dodpopo2468]

MCLEA.. What class were you in @ FLETC. MBPTP-104 here. Cant forget about Pam's.. hahaha.. Cant forget the good ole gay bar...

If you have a car and a 3 day weekend you can do a trip to Disney.

 

[MCLEA]

I was in PLATP-401 and EL-PLATP. (Police Legal Advisor Training Program).

 

[countymounty]

Thanks to those who responded......but wow, out of all these federal officers on this site, only one has attended the FLETC Basic Police officer program? I find that hard to believe.

 

[Dodpopo2468]

Countymounty.. The course is easy. What exactly do you want to know about MBPTP.

 

[DoD102]

DoD Officers go to a joint academy with the VA Police now. It's in Little Rock. I hear it's ok.

 

[countymounty]

DodPopo: I guess that sums it up......Thanks.

I'm going to the FLETC mixed-Basic.... I just assumed there would be people here who have completed it.

 

[Dodpopo2468]

Im sorry you are going to the PFPA. They are really getting screwed there. As of 2 weeks they are going to an 11.5 hr day. Lots of folks bailing and lots of forced OT from what Ive heard (directly from folks I know who work there). Plus if you dont mind sitting in a booth all day, then its not a bad job.

As far as MBPTP is concerned, it is an easy course. If you pay attention and study the PO's (performance objectives) than you should be ok. Driving is ok, 3 different courses (NEVO, ERD and Skid). Range is fun and so are most of the scenario based training, especially when you play with the simunitions.

Sarge, where did you hear that base cops were going to VA LETC? Just curious as my old department (DoD Orlando -Navy) and the DoD (army) folks in Miami are still going to FLETC.

 

[countymounty]

thanks for the encouragement there pal. can always count on an online bulletin board to hear more bad than good.

 

[Dodpopo2468]

thanks for the encouragement there pal. can always count on an online bulletin board to hear more bad than good.

Well sometimes the truth hurts. PFPA is a crappy agency. Sorry you cant take the truth but your in for a rude awaking in DC.

 

[countymounty]

I've got a lifetime of handling the truth...I'd suggest you leave that line to Jack Nicholson. If I don't like PFPA then I can get a job anywhere else. There are millions of LE jobs in the DC area. I want to move to NoVa and PFPA is the quickest way at this point. I've heard about the OT....didn't hear about the 12 hour shifts, but don't really care about it.... I can find negativity anywhere. I don't need or want to hear it before I even work day one on the job. All jobs have ups and downs..........From reading your posts it looks like you've worked at every Police agency on the East Coast from MD to FLA and now are heading for Beantown......if you're lookin for the perfect job, you're in for a long search. But then, some people can never be pleased. I know one thing, the last thing I'd do is come here and start trashing on someone's next job before they even start it.....my mother raised me with a little more class and manners than that. Good luck to ya.

 

[Dodpopo2468]

Nope. Havent worked "up and down" the east coast. I enjoy my current department .

As far as PFPA is concerned, they are a crappy agency. I know folks who worked there and currently work there. I know folks who left my DoD agency in DC for them, just to come back because they didnt want to sit in a booth all day (which is what they do). They dont patrol any other propeties outside of the Pentagon.

 

[Guest]

To say pfpa is a crappy agency because they don't patrol as much as you'd like them to seems rather childish, to say the least. Anyone who assumes such a position should understand that the primary purpose of this, and most, Federal Police officer jobs is one of a SECURITY/Police function. Yes, they are trained Police officers. Yes, they enforce laws. Yes, their role is respectable and honorable. But if you think you're going to be CSI Miami, or patrolling a sector in LA when you take these jobs you're only shitting yourself. These officer's duty is one of protection, prevention, and detection. They are also first-responders when emergencies arise. Lately, they have taken on some counter-terrorism duties which, again, are preventative in nature. I was a cop in NYC for 10 years until I moved to Bedford MA with my wife. I can tell you that there are many guys who've had their share of 'action' (ie: getting shot at, spit at, punched, kicked, been in riots etc) who would welcome the opportunity to sit in a booth or walk around the DC Headquarters of our DoD, meeting interesting people, and helping to secure our nation's military headquarters, while making between 50 and 80 thousand dollars a year. (I looked at their website) If you're that hell bent on being supercop, I'd suggest you join a real municipal, county, or state police department. Otherwise, accept the role of the position and move on. I agree with the previous poster. I've reviewed your posts and you've worked at: DoD various locations (where it "sucked"), the VA, and an Indian Tribe. This was in Florida (south to north), Massachusetts (various areas) and "the DC region". It would seem that you've been unhappy, since you seem to move around quite a bit, to say the least. If you're that frustrated, don't take it out on someone else or their agency, get a real cop job. You want pfpa to create a job they don't need, just so guys like you can act out your fantasies? Again, the role of federal police officer is VERY honorable and I mean no insult to ANY of you. You perform a required and needed service to this nation. My point is that the role of a job is the role of the job. Nothing more, nothing less. Be proud of what you do instad of getting pissy about parts of the job you don't like. Every role serves a purpose.

 

[DODK911]

Shield are you or have you ever been a Federal Police Officer?

 

[Pinkos307]

Sorry for the late reply. I just returned from FLETC on Saturday.
NPRI-502 class. PM me if you need any info.

 

[DoD102]

The Shield;

Very well said. I've been trying to get this same point across to some guys here. I wish I could have been as eloquent about as you were. We do have an important job, but it's n ot the "Mean Streets" I did 21 years as a municipal cop making 30,000/yr. I now make over 50 and I ride the desk at a military base at night. I've done my time. This ain't bad, ya know?