The 10-week-programm at the FBI National Academy (FBI NA) is a professional course of study for U.S. and international law enforcement leaders. Created in 1935, its three core components are academics, physical fitness & wellness as well as networking & knowledge sharing. The FBI NA’s mission is to support, promote, and enhance personal and professional development of law enforcement leaders.
Since its inception, almost 300 FBI NA sessions have been run in Quantico. Last December saw students graduating from the 292nd session. Switzerland’s first NA nominee graduated with FBI NA Session 86 in 1969. To date, about 55 individuals from different law enforcement authorities all over Switzerland have graduated from the FBI NA.
Each session is comprised of approximately 250 mid/upper-level law enforcement officers including up to 30 international students. They complete a Certificate of Advanced Studies (CAS) in Leadership, which is organized in collaboration with the University of Virginia. Since it is a CAS in Leadership, a large number of the courses offered are about leadership and related topics such as communication, conflict resolution as well as behavioral analysis or psychological aspects. In addition, numerous police-specific courses are offered, such as Law Enforcement Approaches to Counterterrorism, Applying Drug Enforcement Strategies, and Enhancing Community Partnerships.
Above all, the FBI NA’s main goal is to improve law enforcement standards, knowledge, and cooperation through law enforcement leaders from around the globe. During their ten weeks in Quantico, students share ideas, techniques, and experiences with each other and create lifelong partnerships that transcend state and national borders.
In addition to acquiring new knowledge, the session also focuses on physical fitness, which is gained during mandatory Physical Training (PT) classes. The PT classes challenge and prepare every student for the final test – the Yellow Brick Road. This is a 6.1-mile obstacle run through a hilly, wooded trail built by the U.S. Marine Corps. Along the way, the participants must climb over walls, run through creeks, jump through simulated windows, scale rock faces with ropes, crawl under barbed wire in muddy water, maneuver across a cargo net, and more. When the students complete this test, they receive an actual yellow brick to memorialize their achievement.
While at the FBI NA, the students also attend official trips to different museums and locations in Washington, D.C., such as the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial. This is to honor the fallen colleagues of the law enforcement family and to remember the inherent danger of this unique profession.
Besides studies and work in class, there is time for students to get to know each other outside the classroom. One of the most special nights is certainly “International Night”, where all international students represent their country with food/drink samplings, short movies, pictures, traditional clothes and small souvenirs from their home. International Night is a memorable evening for everyone, and typically results in a lot of laughter and happy faces.
Finally, the official graduation event concludes the session after ten weeks. This is where all students receive their National Academy diploma while having their photo taken shaking hands with the FBI Director. Graduation is the crowning conclusion to a great, intensive time in Quantico. With graduates looking back on ten weeks of not only academic work, but also sports, fun, new ideas and concepts as well as forming lifelong friendships around the globe, it is all too understandable that most will shed a tear or two when parting ways.
For Switzerland, taking part in the FBI NA program is a unique opportunity to form relationships with other law enforcement leaders from around the world. Following the NA principles of knowledge, courage and integrity, students get to compare and contrast the U.S., Swiss, and other countries’ law enforcement authorities, as they often share similar challenges all over the world.
