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Join Date: May 26th, 2004
Location: East coast of CONUS
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Lessons learned at FLETC
Well, with 21 weeks down and one more day to go, I've learned a lot about how to survive at Flea Tech. Others who have been to FLETC, feel free to share your input, too.
Overall: Overall, FLETC is somewhat like a weird combination of police academy, college and Disney World (very different from what I went through in my home state). Some programs are more "para-military" than others (I've heard this is true for some of the uniformed agencies and ICE/DRO). The driver training here is a lot of fun (except Non-emergency Driver Operation... yawn!). You also get used to random explosions going off from the ATF bomb range (hopefully if you're a vet of GWOT you won't slip into PTSD and be back "over there" in your head :D).
Dorms It's not bad having someone make your bed every morning and leave you clean towels. The smell of over-powering bleach in your restroom can get a bit numbing, but it's better than having it get to looking like a public restroom (fortunately my roommate was pretty clean). The dorm rooms are SMALL. No wireless or broadband internet in the rooms, but the library and computer labs give you access. There is also wireless internet access at the Student Center, if you have a laptop and wireless card. There is cable TV in the dorms, but TV sets are not provided. I'd recommend bringing a TV, Xbox 360/PS3 (if you're into games), microfridge and alarm clock. Also, PUT VALUABLES IN YOUR SAFE WHEN YOU LEAVE YOUR ROOM. Things do - and will continue - get stolen from time to time. It's also smart to buy a bicycle to ride to class. Many of these commodities are sold by graduating students (with flyers posted at dorm billboards), so don't rush out into town to buy these things until you see what's already available for much more reasonable prices.
Student Center: Commonly referred to as the "G Bar", among other things. It's a bar/community center on campus. It's not a bad spot to go after hours when you need to unwind, and makes a good, convenient spot for class parties, too. Just don't be that guy who's there every night... hint, hint.
Cafeteria: I think the best description I heard was one of the Marines in our class said, "I'd rather be back in Iraq eating MRE's than this crap." The caf is... how should I say... sub-par. If you're agency gives you per diem for eating, you may want to eat out every know and then, or order out for pizza or Chinese. You hear the jokes about the chicken here, but you don't always hear about how it's still pink and bleeding when you get it. I stopped eating at the caf weeks ago and doubt I'll go back. I will say that sack lunches at the Student Center are pretty good, and convenient.
Medical/Health Unit: If you get sick (seriously sick, not just a cold) get off Center and GO SEE A REAL DOCTOR. Trust me, I found this out first hand and was almost recycled months ago when I didn't get better after being sick for 2 weeks. If you get hurt on-the-job (including during Officer Response Tactics/PT), report it and have a CA-1 form completed. If you don't, kiss any chance at worker's comp good-bye.
Academics: Overall, sort of like college during the first couple of years. Not overly challenging, but does require a little bit of studying, especially if you're new to LE. In CITP we had a few that made high 70's, but no one was on the verge of failing academically.
Brunswick: Very small southern town. It's got a Wal-mart and a Target... that's about it. It does have a small mall with a movie theater, but they only take cash. I think there's a bowling alley or two, but that's about it. As a word of caution, beware of the Red Carpet Lounge... hint, hint.
St. Simons and other local areas: There's some cool bars and clubs on the island, as well as some good resturaunts. The beach is pretty good I hear, but didn't go much during the winter, obviously. Crab Daddys has excellent seafood. The golf courses on the island are supposed to be really good, too. I believe there's also a movie theater on St. Simons, but haven't been there myself.
Jacksonville: The Landing is a cool spot to go as a group. Outdoor entertainment and several bars/resturaunts. I've heard the Jaguars games are good, but tickets are hard to get at FLETC. You have to get them at the FLETC Express convenience store on-center, and you need to get them a few weeks in advance before they sell out.
Savannah: Savannah is awesome. The River Walk is pretty cool and has good nightlife. Lobster Ravioli at Belford's in the City Market area is well-worth the drive alone. If you take a date, the carriage rides around the city are cool, too.
Dont forget about those gosh darn gnats, sand fleas, mosquitoes, or what ever you wanna call'em. They will literally lift you up and carry you away. And insect repellent is like a condiment for them, may as well use powdered sugar. Seriously though, those things are a nuisance.
Brunswick: As a word of caution, beware of the Red Carpet Lounge... hint, hint.
Any place that allows the local customers (many who are shrimpers) to come get a "dance" and pay in fresh shelled shrimp they caught that day.......can no way be a quality establishment!
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Ahhhh FLETC... the memories the memories! I loved it down there. Our "basic" academey really lowered the meaning of basic. We didn't learn crap but BOY did we drink
been a few years since I was there last, but many sentiments ring true. Has the chow hall been expanded or just remodeled? They were just getting started with something when I was there the last time. Where is the Target? I thought Wal-Mart would maintain the FLETC $$ monopoly forever! If it's still there, be sure to check out Altama Seafood! Excellent Crab Stew!!!
been a few years since I was there last, but many sentiments ring true. Has the chow hall been expanded or just remodeled? They were just getting started with something when I was there the last time. Where is the Target? I thought Wal-Mart would maintain the FLETC $$ monopoly forever! If it's still there, be sure to check out Altama Seafood! Excellent Crab Stew!!!
I believe it was a remodel, but they hadn't finished when I left in December.
Target: Go straight instead of turning right to go to Wal-Mart on the road off Chapel Crossing and take it to Golden Isles (the main road off 95). It is on the left. It is a newer model store, so I don't know how long it has been up.
5 Brothers Burger and Fries was really good. It is similar to an In-and-Out Burger joint if you are familiar with them, but superior (I won't do I&O). It is in the same complex as Target.
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The Target must be fairly new, fore it wasn't there when BIG was last there in July of '06.
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5 Brothers Burger and Fries was really good. It is similar to an In-and-Out Burger joint if you are familiar with them, but superior (I won't do I&O). It is in the same complex as Target.
I just came back from there and did not see this place! But there is a "Whataburger" right there. Maybe confusing the two?
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Join Date: May 26th, 2004
Location: East coast of CONUS
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Joeyd6
Quote:
Originally Posted by Sierra
5 Brothers Burger and Fries was really good. It is similar to an In-and-Out Burger joint if you are familiar with them, but superior (I won't do I&O). It is in the same complex as Target.
I just came back from there and did not see this place! But there is a "Whataburger" right there. Maybe confusing the two?
Whataburger is just off Altama, just past the Target shopping center. I believe what Sierra is referring to, which is located as a shop in the Target shopping center, is 5 Guys Burgers & Fries.
Anyone else ever notice that there are NO dumpsters around the chow hall?:eek: Makes you wonder where the left over food goes....:D
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Sorry to jump in on this one late, but I'm at FLETC right now and have been out of touch as I didn't have a laptop until last week.
The horror stories about the cafeteria are true, especially on Sundays. The last time (and it will be the last time) I had Sunday dinner there I had roast beef that had just about as much fat on it as meat. Also, avoid anything alleged to be soup like the plague. A guy got corn chowder last week that was so thick that he was able to completely invert his bowl and hold it upside down without spilling a drop for about 10 seconds.:eek:
There have been some MRSA cases down here recently and there are several bugs going around so it's a good idea to carry a bottle of hand sanitizer around and use it periodically throughout the day in order to cut down on your chances of getting sick.
I know that this has been mentioned numerous times in other threads, but I don't think anyone said it here; if at all possible try to drive here. You will be very popular with all the west coast types who had to fly, and it's nice to have the ability to get out of here when you start to go stir crazy.
Supporting Member L2 Supporting Member L4 Verified LEO
Join Date: May 26th, 2004
Location: East coast of CONUS
Posts: 8,896
Quote:
Originally Posted by schrute
The horror stories about the cafeteria are true, especially on Sundays.
Places to go to get some good chow:
Brunswick
Bromelli Brothers Pizza (outside Colonial Mall in Brunswick)
Tokyo Joe's Japanese ()
Spanky's (same building as Tokyo Joe's)
St. Simons
Moondog Pizza
Crab Daddy's seafood
Nazzaro's Italian (a little expensive, but great for a date ;))
Bonefish Grill
Kobe's Japanese
There's also some chains, like Outback, Ruby Tuesdays, etc. Plus you have Pizza Hut, China One and Papa Johns that will deliver to your dorm room on all-night study sessions. :cool:
Fox's Pizza in downtown old Brunswick has the best pizza I've had in a long time. They've also got several other good items on the menu and the prices are reasonable. I can't remember the street it's on but it's on the corner a few blocks west of the federal courthouse.
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