Los Angeles Sheriff

[tash949]

DO you have to shave your head???

[Samuel]

re: Shaving the head - two concerns: one, you hair can be used as a handle by the BG in a fight and two, if everyone else has a shaved head (or close to it), you don't want to be the odd man out (an individual)...

Mike, I wasn't there. You probably had enough people there "motivating" you already! :p Unless I stop by STARS to hang out with your DT instructors (very rare), you won't see me until near the end - I will get with you then for sure...

[Mike925]

Tash- I didn't shave my head, though a few males did elect to do that. I have a home-clipper set and used no attachments--meaning, nothing between me and the blade. I found that I need to re-do it every week because it grows back so fast.

Samuel- You're right, we had plenty of "motivation" and "leadership"! Everyone got some attention and at the end of the day I felt really good about having survived. See you at the end of the class...I will be there.

[AMW]

(Mike925 and Samuel) when you say they push you to the limit, what does that mean in terms of physical numbers such as miles of running and time per mile, push-ups, situps, etc. I am trying to figure out if I am doing enough training myself to prepare. I was recently assigned a BI. I am working out a number of times a week, but I want to be ready when I Hopefully get that call. What other advise do you have on the Academy. Thanks....What is the thing with the hair length?

[Samuel]

(Mike925 and Samuel) when you say they push you to the limit, what does that mean in terms of physical numbers such as miles of running and time per mile, push-ups, situps, etc. I am trying to figure out if I am doing enough training myself to prepare. I was recently assigned a BI. I am working out a number of times a week, but I want to be ready when I Hopefully get that call. What other advise do you have on the Academy. Thanks....What is the thing with the hair length?

Well, the "limit" is going to be different for everyone. Ask for a handout that outlines the PT training during the academy. It will show you the progression. Four things off the top of my head:

1. You need to be able to pass the PT test(s) - I've forgotten what the numbers are, you'll have to research that (or maybe Mike knows)

2. While preparing, if you can, shoot to surpass the workout level for the recruits at the END of the academy. PT'ing at the academy should NOT be getting you in shape - you should already be IN shape. (academy PT isn't actually "THAT" - relative term - difficult; I know guys who actually LOST conditioning during the academy - btw, it wasn't "easy" for me)

3. If you have never pushed yourself to your "limit", try to. IMO, in most cases, your body can withstand more punishment than you're willing to dish out on yourself. Near the end of the academy, we will be trying to help you find your "limit" during DT training. You need to know what your "limit" feels like; you need to know what you're capable of and where you stand conditioning-wise; and, when you think that you've got nothing left, you need to be able to reach down deep and find that something extra - never stop fighting and never give up.

4. You can never be TOO in shape. You can, however, over-exert and injure yourself so you have to find a balance...

If you are local, try attending some of the pre-academy PT sessions at the STARS center (I think they are on Tues/Thurs nights) - double check that...

[Mike925]

I copy what Samuel said about PT: you SHOULD be in shape when you get there in order to stay with the program. According to my DTs, we have 36 sessions and you are required to pass 30. PT includes Monday and Friday circuits and Wednesday distance runs.

A circuit, as it is right now, is: 800 meters, 15 push-ups, 220 meters, 20 crunches, 440 meters, 10(15?) mountain climbers, 220 meters, 6 prayer-style push-ups (hold on the last one), 440 meters, 15(20?) bicycle crunches, 220 meters, 10(15?) mountain climbers, 880 meters...then repeat. Exercises will increase every two weeks and times for runs will decrease.

When I said "limit" earlier I meant that no matter what your level of conditioning they will push you there. If they see you screaming across the finish line in under 30 seconds on the 220 then they will expect that, and faster, every time. You have to use your full potential or they will spot you and make you pay. Trust me, and Samuel, I've seen them jump people who aren't doing what they are capable of.

AMW-for males, the hair needs to trimmed at a level "0". No attachments. If you don't have your own hair kit, men, I highly recommend it to save both money and time. Women need to have their hair pulled back tightly in a bun. All of this is outlined in the Recruit Training Manual they will issue you at orientation.

[tash949]

it says that u are in orange county; so am i. are you at whittier academy or the valencia one. at the seminar they said when you get the call you go...no matter what academy. a drive to valencia every morning must be nuts if that where you are and if not...its still nuts if you live in OC. if iget told to go there i will go but do you think that they take that into consideration when they assign you an academy.

[PhDnME]

I am graduating on Feb. 13th as part of reserve class 105 and I am currently in the best shape of my life. Once you get used to the PT and push your body, its just a matter of doing it. At the begining of the academy I could barely do 30 mountain climbers, now I can do 75 with realtive ease. So as others said push yourself, and don't give up a lot of it is mental, as our DI would tell us "you can rest when your dead". We started with 34 at the south academy and there are only 14 left in our class. My advice, take it one day at a time and don't give up!

[cobravenom1]

PhDnME, how was it going to class with "The Hulk."

Reserve academy conditioning is nothing like fulltime academy training (I attended both academys). In the Reserve it's all up to you to get in shape and stay in shape. You earn everything and progression is on your own desire to succeed. Kept my muscle tone and got in better shape during this time.
Fulltime is a daily physical test. You must be in relatively good shape to start. As you physically progress the DI's take it to another level. I lost weight and muscle mass during these PT sessions.
During the begining of both academies we lost a few due to PT injuries. It is very easy to drop due to physical injuries. I also saw classmates who hid their injuries and sucked it up. My carpool partner was a "Road Guard" and suffered painful shin-splints. At the end of the day we would not let him drive and on a few occasions we carried him from the car to his couch. The next day he would be right back out there at the front of formation. We can go beyond our physical limits. Believe that and the physical part of the academy will not be your main concern.
Learning Domains= study with partners and you will do fine.
Critical Role Play= study, study, and get it right. Officer safety is everything. These failures will get you dropped on the spot.
Everything has a purpose at the academy. Have fun and stay out of "Smiley's" way. ;-)

[PhDnME]

[QUOTE=cobravenom1]PhDnME, how was it going to class with "The Hulk."

The who? I heard he was a recruit but neither me or any of my fellow recruits ever saw him. I think he did attend an EVOC lecture in Glendale once.

[Mike925]

it says that u are in orange county; so am i. are you at whittier academy or the valencia one. at the seminar they said when you get the call you go...no matter what academy. a drive to valencia every morning must be nuts if that where you are and if not...its still nuts if you live in OC. if iget told to go there i will go but do you think that they take that into consideration when they assign you an academy.

Yeah, I live in north county so it's not that bad of a commute to the North Academy. I have a great carpool that meets about 3:40am. We study on the way up and the way back down--its fantastic. I get home around 4 everyday, which is not bad at all.

[minizero]

When did you tough guys get to find out which academy you are going? The date when you receive an offer for employment or sometime after?? I think is not a bad idea for some of us single guys(gals) to rent a room near the academy during the 18 weeks of training.

Question with men's hair... zero is only for the side right? What about the top? I know is 3 inches for the military (except for the bloody marines). :D

Mike, you leave your house everyday at 3:40am?? I thought training starts at 6:30.. :eek:

[Mike925]

When did you tough guys get to find out which academy you are going? The date when you receive an offer for employment or sometime after?? I think is not a bad idea for some of us single guys(gals) to rent a room near the academy during the 18 weeks of training.

Question with men's hair... zero is only for the side right? What about the top? I know is 3 inches for the military (except for the bloody marines). :D

Mike, you leave your house everyday at 3:40am?? I thought training starts at 6:30.. :eek:

I found out at my written psych. The proctor told us that if all went well we could expect the January North Academy.

Mens hair is a zero. Everyone has it.

I leave my house at 315 everymorning, meet my carpool around 330, and arrive at around 5am for the march into the locker room or onto the grinder. Class or PT does start at 6 but that doesnt mean we dont need to get gear ready earlier. Its just part of the game.

[Idol25]

I just completed Week 1 and my suggestion for all of you is to attend the work out session and get in shape. We had alot of tired, sad looking people today during PT. It is hard and non-stop...they really push you to the limit. The next class isn't until March so start working out now if you haven't.

Best of luck to you all!

I just completed my medical on 2/3/06. I hope I get in the March academy date. I am waiting for that phone call.

What advice would you suggest for a female applicant?

I run 6 to 7 miles 3x's a week. I can do 52 push-ups, and up to 8 pull-ups. I did pretty good in my Cooper Test. Should I worry about any thing else?

What does the physical training consist of?