Imagine this… You are in a room full of FBI agents talking about security in the wake of September 11, busting child predators and then taken to a shooting range, where you are firing high-powered weapons.

Local FBI field offices across the country hold these “Citizens’ Academy’s” in hopes to gather people from the community and show them about the FBI operates.

And let me tell you, it’s a tough job.  And perhaps the most interesting part to me, what it takes to even become an agent in the first place.

Aside from a physical exam, which I would no doubt fail, there’s also intense background checks and lie detector test.  Can you image an investigator going to all of your college professors and asking about you? I.Would.Die.

The highlight of the class, of course, is the shooting range.

Yes, that’s me shooting with the FBI.

It’s an entire day talking to SWAT, bomb square and firearms experts about the dangers of their jobs.  It was amazing.  Plus, hot guys in uniform? Yes please.

That’s me and a big scary FBI agent.

The real highlight is going to be our trip in November.  Alumni are invited to FBI Headquarters in Washington, DC and FBI Training in Quantico.  It’s going to be awesome! More picture to come!

Here’s more about the program – and how you can get involved:

Want to find out first hand how the FBI works? Hear how the Bureau tracks down spies and terrorists? Learn how to collect and preserve evidence? See what it is like to fire a weapon and put yourself in the shoes of a Special Agent making a split-second, life-or-death decision?

If you are a leader in your community, you just might be able to do that and more––through an FBI Citizens’ Academy, open for business in all 56 of our field offices.

Who attends? Business, civic, and religious leaders. You must be at least 18 years old (with no prior felony convictions) and must live and work in the area covered by the field office sponsoring the academy.

Who teaches? Special Agents in Charge of a field office, their senior managers, and senior agent experts.

For how long? Classes generally meet 10 times (eight on weeknights and two on Saturday) for three hours each session. Each session has around 20-30 students.

The curriculum? Fascinating!

• Practical problems involving evidence collection and preservation.
• FBI jurisdiction and congressional oversight.
• Structure and operation of FBI field offices and resident agencies.
• Fingerprint, forensic, technology, training, and other services
• Policies and issues: ethics, discipline, communications, civil rights, and criminal trends.
• Firearms training.

To find out more about Citizens’ Academies, contact your local field office.