3.15.10

Hey Everyone,

What makes the grass grow at the Academy?...so glad you asked, Ryan and all of the cadets got a birds-eye view last week. As they were out on the grass running in place the instructor would yell, "What makes the grass grow?!", then the cadets would be face down on the grass doing push-ups and responding " Sweat makes the grass grow!" As they continued these up-downs for an indefinite amount of time I'm sure plenty of sweat was spilled for proper hydration.

Another new PT exercise is the Choo-Choo Train. The cadets are lined up in the gym in push-up position. Your head is between the shins of the cadet in front of you so that his legs can rest on your shoulders and your legs can rest on the cadets behind you. Then you all do push-ups supporting each others legs. When you push-up the cadets yell Chugga-Chugga and on the way done they yell Choo-Choo! Sounds like fun right?

Wrestling proved to be any easy victory for Ryan. He demolished his opponent, whom he unfortunately is friends with. The instructor said that he hadn't seen the moves that Ryan did since the Iron Sheik from WWF, then he called him a tomato face and told him to get off the mat. So much for a little acknowledgment.

They began actually shooting at the range last week and shot about 30 rounds to start. Range will continue to be a regular part of their curriculum until the end. This weekend we went in search of a different holster than the state issued one. Sounds easy enough, however it involves many choices which will most likely be how you will roll for you career. Light vs no light, snaps vs no snaps. They are trained in all necessary ways in the Academy,but must choose for themselves what will help them be the most successful. I was able to see a bunch of cadets in the law enforcement store...they all look the same. Bald head, hhmmming and hawing,pacing and a mild look of anxiety as they make this first major equipment purchase.

Week 11 is another week further into accident investigation. This is a very involved and difficult part of their training. He was very busy this weekend with a lot of homework, plus studying for the many tests they have every week on different subjects. Ryan continues to do well on all tests and required tasks. Physical Methods of Arrest is also getting more involved as they have been learning how to search a person and handcuff them. They always have extra classes at night where the cadets can practice and get personal attention with techniques. As I said last week they are really turning up the pressure. Their schedule now includes night classes nearly every night. Night classes will start around 5:30 or 6 and go to 8:30. Not leaving much study or prep time, but time management is a major lesson to be learned there.

Another 2 cadets were lost to high speed. Ryan's roommate is scheduled tomorrow so Ryan will most likely be scheduled soon! He is looking forward to putting that behind him.

Being that Ryan is still considered a fat body one of the instructors likes to ask him what is for lunch that day early in the morning. They figure that he will know because he can't wait to eat again. Ryan takes it in stride and laughs later, of course, in his dorm room.

Thanks to all of you for all of your support, I know that we both feel it and appreciate it.

Love,

Amy