I’ve blogged before about my cool experience with the FBI Citizens Academy.  But now, I’ve just returned from a trip to the FBI mother-ship – a trip to FBI HQ in Washington, DC and the FBI Academy in Quantico, Virginia.

Thursday was our day in DC at headquarters.  We were not allowed to bring cell phones, and I’m still not sure how I survived.  Yes that sounds dramatic.  But listen, I didn’t stay at the group hotel.  So I had no idea where I was!  I also had planned to meet up afterwards with my friend I was staying with at a bar near Capitol Hill – and without a phone, it was interesting not only finding the place, but also trying to even know what time it was!!!

But alas, I survived.  Let me tell you about the day.

It started in the gift shop.  Which frankly, was perfect for me.  I bought lots of items for Christmas presents and such, and also a lot of Christmas ornaments for my tree! Yes, I have a problem.  But I’m sure I’ll blog more about those ornaments soon.

Once I spent a nice chunk of change, we were off to the FBI Museum.  Apparently the FBI tour used to be a big deal, and then 9/11 happened and the tour was shut down for numerous reasons, but including security concerns.

So over the past years, they’ve been working on bringing it back, but only have it open to special tours and FBI family/friends.  The museum featured a lot of old, famous FBI evidence, gift items from overseas work and even Olympic torches from around the world.  They have a new September 11th section, including the car of one of the bombers that was left at the airport.  It was all fascinating and sad.  There was a shooting demo with was really cool, and they also showed an FBI specific film featuring Jon Hamm (swoon!).

After lunch, it was a Metro ride to Alexandria, Virginia with a visit to the Center for Missing and Exploited Children. These people do amazing work and it is often sad and depressing, but amazing work and a terrific resource that everyone should be familiar with.

Friday, with camera in hand, came the real deal, the FBI Academy in Quantico, Virginia.

The entrance to the FBI Academy in Quantico, VA.

The Academy sits on about385 acres of wooded land that is part of a much bigger Marine Corps Base.  It’s just a beautiful piece of property, especially in the fall.  This was where the FBI punked me!  That’s right – I got punked by the FBI.  In short, there was an issue with some of the names on the list so they had to collect ID’s.  When the agents and FBI police boarded the bus after returning with ID’s, they said, “Ms. Cook – please come with us…”

At this point, time stood still and I moved toward the front of the bus thinking I was about to be arrested.  In my head….”Seriously, how can I spend the whole day in FBI jail? With those K-9 dogs be attacking me? What did I do wrong? Will my cell phone work? Who can I call?  What did I do? I won’t get to go to the gift shop?”  Then, the laughter started and I realized, they were playing a joke on me. So when I got to feeling my knees again, we walked around the training facility and even saw brand new, young, FBI agents.

FBI September 11th Memorial

This is a September 11th in the courtyard.  The twin towers are inscribed with a map of Pennsylvania, placed in the center of the Pentagon. In front of the monument, a piece of debris from each site.

We had the most amazing tour guide. Kurt Crawford is from the FBI Public Affairs office – and maybe it’s me (and my 30 Rock obsession) but I couldn’t stop thinking he was Tracy Morgan.

Our FBI guide, who looked to me just like Tracy Morgan.

He was full all of sorts of great facts and historical knowledge about big FBI cases and loved to share the ‘Hollywood’ fun that has been filmed at Quantico.

Then came lunch time! I was curious to see what the cafe had in store.  But frankly, it was just like college.  I mean, exactly the same.  I can’t imagine eating this food for eight straight weeks.

The FBI Academy cafeteria.

I asked one of the agents if this food brought back nightmares.  He said, “This food hasn’t changed at all in 20 years.  It’s exactly the same. I always get a hotdog because at least I know I will always eat that.  The worst part is this pasta sauce.  Every night of the week it’s a different pasta with the same sauce.”  I can’t even…..

My FBI meal

After lunch it was a stop at the gift shop, where I shockingly didn’t buy anything.  I bought so much the day before!!  And then back on the bus to the FBI crime lab.  Now, unless you are a dork like me and were forced to follow every inch of the Casey Anthony trial, the crime lab is apparently “boring.”  But I was super excited to check out the building that I saw over and over again in Casey Anthony video.

The FBI Crime Lab in Quantico, VA

We had a great presentation about what they do in this building – it’s some amazing stuff.  The woman teaching the course actually was one to testify during the Casey Anthony trial, and apparently I was the only one who realized that and asked her about it.  Apparently that was a bad idea…it ended, uncomfortably.

But alas, the show must go on….the final stop…Hogan’s Alley!

Agent Dave and other ‘junior agents’ post in front of the Hogan’s Alley sign.

Hogan’s Alley is a fake city – that looks 100% real – well, except for the payphone.  But it was designed as a realistic training facility for new agents. In this town, you’ll find a bank, a post office, a hotel (“The Dogwood Inn”), a laundromat, a barber shop, a pool hall, homes, shops, and more, many of which are named after events in the FBI’s past.

Hogan’s Alley

It was a great tour and I’m really glad I made the trip.  I mean, how often do you get a chance to hang with FBI agents and tour their facilities?!