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Episode 2: Physical fitness and mental challenges

Careers at ICE

Careers at ICE |

During this episode, hear from ICE Academy instructors Frank Unger, Enforcement and Removal Operations and Todd Rignel, Homeland Security Investigations. They answer questions about the physical and mental challenges of preparing for training at the Academy and a federal law enforcement career.

Related: ICE Academy instructors teach prospective deportation officers

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00:00:09.38 >> Welcome to the Careers at ICE podcast,

00:00:11.43 where we highlight career opportunities at U.S.

00:00:13.69 Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the hiring process,

00:00:17.24 and how to put your best foot forward.

00:00:19.40 Our special guest today, our Enforcement and Removal Operations

00:00:22.92 Academy section chief Frank Unger, and Homeland Security

00:00:26.46 Investigations Academy national program manager Todd Rignel.

00:00:31.21 They are here to answer all of our questions

00:00:32.99 about the physical and mental challenges

00:00:35.21 of preparing for training at the Academy,

00:00:37.41 and a federal law enforcement career.

00:00:39.77 It is wonderful to have you both here.

00:00:42.34 Thank you for being here. Let us just get right to it.

00:00:45.44 Would you tell us about the mission of the HSI and ERO Academies,

00:00:49.36 and also, what is the relationship of the Academies

00:00:51.90 to the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center?

00:00:55.21 >> This is Todd Rignel from HSI.

00:00:57.07 To start with the HSI Academy, it is a fairly simple mission.

00:01:00.77 We provide both basic and advanced training for special agents,

00:01:04.33 as well as other HSI employees,

00:01:06.35 and our foreign task force officers, too.

00:01:09.87 >> This is Frank Unger from the ERO Academies.

00:01:13.35 We do basically the same mission. We are here to train basic students

00:01:17.43 and advanced officers in the Deportation side of the house.

00:01:23.19 >> Both of these Academies, the HSI Academy and ERO,

00:01:26.41 are what's called FLETC partner organizations.

00:01:29.31 We are located here at the grounds of FLETC's Glynco

00:01:32.56 training delivery point; the largest site that FLETC has.

00:01:36.55 As partner organizations,

00:01:37.92 we provide detail instruction to our trainees on site,

00:01:41.69 but we also provide instructors to FLETC.

00:01:43.76 We use the facilities here, lodge and feed the trainees here.

00:01:47.63 That is kind of our tie to FLETC.

00:01:50.52 >> The ERO Basic Training program here

00:01:53.07 is an integrated training program with FLETC.

00:01:55.76 We teach both Federal Law Enforcement

00:01:57.77 Training Center lesson plans and ICE-specific lesson plans

00:02:01.60 in regards to the deportation officers here at the Academy.

00:02:05.30 >> A little bit different on the HSI side --

00:02:08.16 our Academy is standalone,

00:02:10.52 but our trainees first go through a FLETC Academy;

00:02:12.78 the Criminal Investigator Training Program, referred to as CITP.

00:02:17.05 It's a wholly FLETC-owned and managed course

00:02:19.93 that essentially all special agents in the AT-11 job series

00:02:23.82 complete the CITP course here at FLETC Glynco,

00:02:26.92 with the exception of the FBI, DEA, maybe a few others.

00:02:30.58 So the HSI Academy relies on FLETC

00:02:32.86 to provide this 56-day program to our trainees.

00:02:36.13 In turn we provide some detailed instructors

00:02:38.10 to assist with the instruction.

00:02:39.84 We help with some reviews of the program,

00:02:41.74 but that program is fully run by FLETC.

00:02:44.68 After that is done, our special agent trainees

00:02:46.95 complete the HSI Special Agent training program,

00:02:50.27 which runs for 71 days here at FLETC. But it's while we're on the FLETC site

00:02:54.95 and use their facilities that that program is managed

00:02:57.29 and taught by HSI personnel, here at FLETC.

00:03:01.43 >> At the Academy, you train both newly-hired ICE employees

00:03:04.89 and long-term ICE employees. So let's focus on the required training

00:03:08.66 for newly-hired ICRO deportation officers,

00:03:11.51 and HSI special agents.

00:03:13.77 First -- and let's start with ERO on this --

00:03:16.54 would you please share with us why excellent physical fitness

00:03:20.11 is critical for professional law enforcement personnel?

00:03:24.31 >> Well, I think overall,

00:03:25.60 physical fitness is important for everybody;

00:03:28.41 more specifically for a law enforcement officer

00:03:30.72 or federal law enforcement officer.

00:03:33.64 >> To add, some of our instructors tell the trainees

00:03:36.48 on the special agent side that when you join law enforcement,

00:03:40.29 you give up your right to be out of shape.

00:03:42.00 It's not really all about you being in shape for yourself,

00:03:44.75 but also for your partners, the safety of the public.

00:03:47.37 So it's something much bigger than you to stay in shape.

00:03:49.77 It's not like a member of the general public,

00:03:51.77 where it's, hey, I just want to stay in shape for me.

00:03:54.06 There's something much bigger here.

00:03:56.02 >> That makes total sense. Todd, finishing that, Todd from HSI,

00:04:00.20 ideally, what level of fitness should the new employees already have

00:04:03.70 when arriving at the Academy for training?

00:04:06.59 >> Well, for HSI, we have the physical fitness test

00:04:10.12 that we require the employees,

00:04:13.09 the new special agent trainees to pass when they arrive here.

00:04:15.88 And soon, if not already, they will be passing it

00:04:18.47 before they even come to the Academy. So that's kind of like the benchmark.

00:04:22.12 But we encourage people to certainly rise above that.

00:04:25.62 It's a busy Academy, we like people to show up ready to train.

00:04:29.50 We aren't really in the business here of getting people in shape from scratch.

00:04:32.32 We expect people to show up in shape.

00:04:34.39 >> They need to shop up ready to go, hit the ground running.

00:04:38.31 Both the Academies here have their own physical fitness test,

00:04:41.49 and we expect a certain baseline of performance

00:04:44.62 from the students when they arrive, that they can show

00:04:47.36 that they are physically capable of enduring and completing the training.

00:04:50.96 Because as he has said, it's a bit of a stressful time period

00:04:57.08 for the students both mentally and physically while they are here.

00:05:01.58 Overall, a more fit student that leaves here gives the field

00:05:07.59 and the offices a fitter or better officer for the future.

00:05:13.22 >> So what are the specific physical fitness

00:05:15.60 training criteria at the Academy for all newly-hired ICE employees?

00:05:20.13 I'm specifically wondering about, like,

00:05:21.86 are there any differences between ERO and HSI personnel?

00:05:25.27 Are there separate requirements for FLETC specifically?

00:05:29.17 >> Yes, specifically there are two different tests;

00:05:31.49 one for ERO and one for HSI. They are different.

00:05:34.59 For the ERO officers, when they decide that they want to become an officer,

00:05:38.97 they put in for their positions, they are selected.

00:05:43.17 They are given a tentative selection letter.

00:05:45.41 They are given a pre-fitness test in the field.

00:05:48.01 It's a stand and kneel test, and it's a pushup test,

00:05:51.78 and a five-minute step test on a 16-inch riser.

00:05:57.25 If they pass that, they're cleared to come to the Academy.

00:06:01.30 Within the first three days on arrival at the Academy,

00:06:04.51 they have to do the PAA for the ERO officers,

00:06:07.79 which is the physical abilities assessment.

00:06:10.85 It's a small obstacle course.

00:06:13.13 There are eight total events in it, or obstacles in the test.

00:06:18.75 The trainee or student is started out seated in a vehicle

00:06:22.42 with the seatbelt on, hands on the steering wheel.

00:06:25.69 The instructor will ask them if they are ready.

00:06:29.09 He'll say, "Go!" They exit the vehicle,

00:06:31.52 the first obstacle that they have to surmount is a six-foot wall.

00:06:36.64 It is 18 inches up. We give them a little step.

00:06:39.89 We do show them the preferred method for getting over the wall;

00:06:43.32 however, their goal at this point is just to get over the six-foot wall.

00:06:47.82 Once they have gotten over the wall, the next obstacle is a culvert.

00:06:51.87 It's a round, concrete sewer pipe; it is 36 inches wide, 8 feet long.

00:06:58.47 They must crawl through that.

00:07:00.91 The next obstacle past that would be a metal-framed window.

00:07:05.07 They are required to step through the window.

00:07:09.34 The next obstacle after that would be the set of stairs;

00:07:12.01 they have two sets of stairs.

00:07:13.40 They have to go up one side and down the other.

00:07:16.90 All this is done for a very specific time period.

00:07:19.60 They have two minutes to complete the course.

00:07:22.61 After they complete the stairs, they go through another culvert.

00:07:27.03 The other side of the culvert is a 170 pound mannequin laying on the ground.

00:07:32.34 They have to grab the mannequin by the arm

00:07:35.05 and roll it over into the prone position.

00:07:38.26 This simulates using a bad guy that you need to roll over

00:07:42.12 from their back to their stomach for handcuffing.

00:07:45.21 The student is required just to roll this dummy over.

00:07:49.11 Then as soon as they finish that,

00:07:51.11 they are presented with another 170 pound mannequin.

00:07:55.15 This is their partner, it's an officer down drill,

00:07:58.41 where they have to lift the dummy up and move him backwards 50 feet.

00:08:06.05 Once they have completed the 50 feet, they set the dummy down,

00:08:09.64 they have to go back over the wall

00:08:11.95 and touch a cone in the front of the vehicle.

00:08:15.51 Every obstacle is 20 feet apart,

00:08:17.53 and they have two minutes to do all of these vents.

00:08:21.54 Then after that, they change out into their running gear,

00:08:24.91 and we take them out to the track,

00:08:27.61 and then they have to do a mile and a half run.

00:08:30.92 Their initial time when they arrive at the Academy is 16:30,

00:08:34.71 their graduation time for the mile and a half would be 14:30.

00:08:39.28 >> On the HSI standards, our standards are a bit different

00:08:41.94 than the ERO standards.

00:08:44.72 Just to be straight with the standards, 32 sit-ups in a minute or less,

00:08:48.85 a 220 yard sprint in 47.73 seconds or less, 22 pushups in a minute or less,

00:08:57.21 and a mile and a half run in 14:25 or less.

00:09:01.84 Those standards are on the ice.gov career website,

00:09:05.97 so that they're well published out there.

00:09:08.51 Our special agent trainees will be taking that and passing

00:09:11.18 that before they arrive to training. That's being implemented as we speak.

00:09:15.69 In training, once they arrive, they'll take that test three times;

00:09:20.05 the beginning, within a few days of arriving,

00:09:22.46 mid-term about halfway through training,

00:09:24.25 where they transition from the CITP over to HSI SAT,

00:09:28.82 and then at the end of training.

00:09:30.10 They're expected to pass it each time as they go through there.

00:09:34.00 There's no sliding scale, there's no differences

00:09:37.62 among where they're at in training, or differences among age or gender.

00:09:41.09 That's the standards.

00:09:43.10 Additionally, FLETC has their own requirements,

00:09:46.95 although trainees aren't held to them in the same sense.

00:09:49.44 They call it the Physical Efficiency Battery, or the PEB.

00:09:53.78 They put that on the CITP,

00:09:56.10 so our special agent trainees will complete that.

00:09:58.71 It's a shuttle run, a mile and a half run, bench press,

00:10:02.30 sit and reach and body fat composition.

00:10:04.63 It's graded on an average percentile across the different areas.

00:10:08.10 There's no passing score, everyone must take it

00:10:10.90 and try their best at the end of CITP.

00:10:13.72 They take it once again, they take the PEB a second time.

00:10:17.07 And the FLETC staff expects to see some improvement.

00:10:20.01 So that's the physical efficiency that FLETC runs,

00:10:22.66 and there's more information on that specific standard on the FLETC website;

00:10:27.05 fletc.gov.

00:10:28.85 >> Are there any common physical challenges

00:10:31.43 that you see potential candidates struggling with at the Academy?

00:10:34.97 >> Yeah, the PFT, as I think Frank and I kind of noted,

00:10:37.46 our PFT and the ERO physical training. It's kind of a bare minimum standard.

00:10:41.99 One challenge we've seen is some trainees show up

00:10:45.69 and they may be at or near that standard.

00:10:48.56 Our trainers ask everybody to be 10 to 20 percent above that.

00:10:52.97 For example, around here, I run every day 5:00 or 6:00 in the morning --

00:10:57.13 it's very humid here, even in the morning;

00:10:58.69 you could be taking the PFT 5:00 or 6:00 or maybe 7:00 in the morning.

00:11:03.17 But at this time of year in August, where it is right now,

00:11:06.64 it's in the mid to upper 70s,

00:11:08.07 the heat index would be well into the 80s.

00:11:10.27 If you've come from the West Coast, you've got a three-hour time change,

00:11:13.04 you're not used to that heat and humidity.

00:11:15.59 It can really affect you.

00:11:16.89 So a challenge I've seen is those that say,

00:11:19.99 okay, I can meet these standards, I'm kind of right on the cusp.

00:11:23.78 But you want to make yourself, I'd say, as far above that as you can be,

00:11:27.68 and we say 10 to 20 percent.

00:11:29.21 But make sure that even if you are not feeling great that day,

00:11:31.84 or if you're dealing with these environmental issues,

00:11:34.37 that you can still perform and make sure you can complete it

00:11:37.08 in the time that you need to.

00:11:38.57 >> Yeah, I've been involved in the physical training division

00:11:41.37 and department here for ICE since 1998 --

00:11:44.86 I've been here for 20 years. Just a generalized observation of mine

00:11:49.21 is that over the 20 years that I have been here,

00:11:52.18 I have seen a decline in upper body strength

00:11:55.86 and cardio vascular endurance in the students

00:11:58.62 that we are seeing come in through the doors nowadays.

00:12:02.31 Our students are older now;

00:12:03.99 we're getting a lot of military veterans and things like that.

00:12:08.43 But I think that society itself has changed in the last 20 years.

00:12:11.82 I think there's more people sitting on the couch playing games

00:12:14.88 than that are out and being physically active.

00:12:17.34 We see a direct correlation to that here, as far as doing pushups

00:12:21.13 and a lot of the physical training here;

00:12:24.21 there's a definite decline in upper body strength and cardiovascular endurance.

00:12:29.21 >> Of course you provide other types of training besides physical fitness.

00:12:32.66 What other training do new employees receive?

00:12:35.58 >> As I noted, when we started, the special agent trainees

00:12:38.16 first complete the Criminal Investigator Training Program,

00:12:40.63 or our CITP, in that program, FLETC instructors,

00:12:44.54 and instructors from different agencies

00:12:46.01 including HSI, they're a detail to FLETC.

00:12:48.58 Instruct special agent trainees on topics such as criminal law,

00:12:51.58 enforcement operations, courtroom testimony,

00:12:54.66 basic firearms and tactics, and other interdisciplinary approaches

00:12:59.01 to becoming an effective criminal investigator in today's environment.

00:13:03.81 They also participate as a member of a small taskforce

00:13:06.29 and complete a continuing case investigation.

00:13:08.78 And CITP, it starts on the very first day

00:13:11.32 and ends on the very last day of CITP,

00:13:13.56 an actual continuing case mock investigation that they complete.

00:13:17.94 When they graduate from CITP, they come over to HSI SAT

00:13:21.49 usually the very next day,

00:13:23.10 and we build on that general criminal investigator knowledge

00:13:26.18 that FLETC teaches in CITP, while focusing on the knowledge, skills

00:13:30.11 and the abilities that HSI special agents

00:13:32.38 need in their first 12 to 18 months on the job on the Southern border.

00:13:35.96 Most of our new special agents are assigned to the Southern border,

00:13:38.22 so we focus on that geographic area.

00:13:41.01 We also focus on our diverse portfolio and programmatic areas

00:13:43.92 that we investigate, which is vast.

00:13:46.45 But much of the training is even rooted in our unique

00:13:48.74 Immigration and Customs authorities.

00:13:51.16 Like CITP, we have a lot of practical exercises.

00:13:53.51 We try and replicate real investigations and tactical situations as best we can.

00:13:58.11 But we have a lot of knowledge that we try to cram

00:14:01.47 into everybody in that short 72 days, because we have a huge swath

00:14:05.53 of investigative portfolios that HSI covers.

00:14:08.70 So we try to do our best to get that in there.

00:14:10.92 But physical fitness is only part of that training.

00:14:14.37 There's much more to it.

00:14:16.21 >> Our program is different, obviously, than the investigative program.

00:14:19.46 We're here to train deportation officers,

00:14:21.45 our missions are different in a lot of aspects.

00:14:25.06 The deportation officer program here is a 13-week integrated program

00:14:30.32 with the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center.

00:14:32.83 While they're here, they're going to get a tremendous amount of training and law.

00:14:37.73 It's Fourth Amendment, it's constitutional law,

00:14:40.81 it's immigration law and removal law.

00:14:43.97 Along with that, there's going to be many practical exercises.

00:14:47.63 We have gotten away from a lot of the classroom stuff,

00:14:50.37 and we're trying to do more practical exercises and labs

00:14:53.88 where they're applying the knowledge that they get in the classroom

00:14:57.82 into the everyday aspects of a deportation officer,

00:15:01.09 such as reviewing case files,

00:15:03.23 running record checks, finding the individuals.

00:15:06.84 We use role players as the suspects.

00:15:09.97 They have to interview them and process them,

00:15:13.28 arrest them, transport them, and various exercises like that.

00:15:18.84 They'll receive a lot of firearms training.

00:15:22.74 They get the regular pistol training,

00:15:25.52 but they get some M4 and shotgun training.

00:15:28.29 They'll get a lot of their basic police procedures

00:15:30.64 from the physical training division,

00:15:32.62 such as, some of these people have never carried a gun before,

00:15:36.95 they don't know how to arrest people, so they're giving all that training.

00:15:40.18 How to search somebody, how to handcuff them to include defensive tactics

00:15:47.53 if the suspect gets out of control,

00:15:49.42 how that they're going to be able to defend themselves

00:15:51.21 and control an individual.

00:15:54.70 So we try and concentrate on a lot of different things while they're here.

00:15:58.23 Once they've completed the basic program here,

00:16:00.22 they have a five week follow-on in Spanish,

00:16:02.98 where they are immersed in the Spanish language,

00:16:06.61 and they're required to pass that before they get their final graduation.

00:16:11.33 >> Can you recall any successful or not so successful stories

00:16:14.34 about new employees in training

00:16:15.87 that may help those considering federal law enforcement as a career?

00:16:20.31 >> On a more, I guess, broader level,

00:16:23.14 it seems like everybody that comes here for training,

00:16:24.90 all the trainees have some type of stress at the Academy,

00:16:28.12 maybe training-based, academics, firearms or tactics,

00:16:30.90 but there's a lot of external stress.

00:16:32.60 People many times are moving across the country,

00:16:35.07 maybe buying, selling houses,

00:16:36.59 dealing with family issues that are tied in with moving,

00:16:39.62 or just generally from being away from family.

00:16:42.13 So some stressful situations here sometimes.

00:16:44.93 Just on a general of success that we've seen with special agent trainees,

00:16:48.56 and I don't think this is specific to HSI special agents,

00:16:51.66 it's probably across the board for ERO and other programs here at FLETC.

00:16:55.20 You know, those that are successful, they manage that stress appropriately.

00:16:58.69 They maintain a positive attitude. They show up every day ready to train.

00:17:02.81 They get along well with classmates, and if they need to talk about stressors

00:17:06.60 they talk with their classmates, or others.

00:17:08.97 They don't over-indulge in alcohol. As Frank and I have already noted,

00:17:11.80 staying physically active is a big part of it.

00:17:14.55 They can get away from here on the weekends, travel.

00:17:16.53 It's a great jumping off point to a lot of places to check out in the country,

00:17:20.26 you know, if you're going to be stationed

00:17:21.86 not in the Southeast you may not otherwise get to see.

00:17:25.60 Just kind of on a more of a macro level, I see a lot of success in those

00:17:29.37 that can really manage the stressors of training internally and externally

00:17:33.85 while maintaining that really good attitude,

00:17:36.45 that desire to train, desire to learn, desire to share knowledge.

00:17:40.62 That's what the instructors here want to see.

00:17:43.00 When those people get back to their field offices,

00:17:45.05 I think that's what their co-workers and their supervisors also want to see,

00:17:48.30 you know, motivation,

00:17:49.58 the ability to deal with stress appropriately, a good attitude.

00:17:53.36 >> Could you both give groups some advice

00:17:55.39 on how to prepare once a candidate gets their date to go to training,

00:17:59.69 and once they are there?

00:18:01.01 >> Sure. Again, it's not rocket science.

00:18:04.46 I think everybody knows what they need to do.

00:18:07.57 If your diet is not proper, then you need to change your diet.

00:18:10.36 You need to start eating better.

00:18:11.82 You need to start working on your cardiovascular endurance.

00:18:14.69 What you've got to do is, you've got to get out and run.

00:18:17.41 As much as people hate to do it, you've got to do it.

00:18:21.14 Upper body strength -- you know, pullups, pushups.

00:18:24.11 All that stuff that they did in grade school many, many years ago,

00:18:27.21 is the basics that they're going to start out with when they get here.

00:18:30.66 So why not prepare yourself to arrive here in better shape.

00:18:35.90 >> You know, to add on what Frank said,

00:18:38.60 for our tests, it's running, pushups and sit-ups --

00:18:40.78 these are all very simple tasks; they don't require equipment.

00:18:43.83 I would recommend getting a good pair of running shoes as an aside,

00:18:46.65 but outside of that, you know, you want to improve your running?

00:18:48.75 You go running. You want to improve your pushups? You do pushups.

00:18:51.16 You want to improve sit-ups? You do sit-ups.

00:18:53.06 I think it's great he mentioned the diet aspect as well,

00:18:55.17 because that certainly comes into play.

00:18:57.57 It's a fairly easy way to prepare. The sooner a candidate starts preparing,

00:19:01.11 even -- you know, don't wait until you have an Academy date.

00:19:03.41 Sometimes those come quick. I had an Academy date,

00:19:06.01 left within a week when I went to training in the past.

00:19:09.33 As soon as someone is interested in this job,

00:19:11.69 or really any law enforcement job,

00:19:14.03 you're going to see a lot of commonalities

00:19:15.81 across the physical standards in law enforcement,

00:19:18.09 and get out and start doing those things if you aren't already.

00:19:21.58 Additionally, within the HSI program,

00:19:24.61 as well as I'm sure many other programs here,

00:19:26.95 our candidates should be prepared to do a lot of writing,

00:19:29.49 working in investigations and kind of do analytical thinking.

00:19:32.59 A really essential aspect to the special agent job

00:19:34.86 is being able to articulate facts,

00:19:36.24 observations in a clear and concise manner,

00:19:38.90 if we do a lot of reports and affidavit writing.

00:19:41.75 So we push a lot of practice in training,

00:19:44.44 using the physical aspects, but also the mental aspects.

00:19:47.65 So everybody should really be prepared to show up

00:19:50.25 and be able to perform physically at a high standard,

00:19:52.82 but also be able to do that on a mental basis,

00:19:55.39 because that's really a key aspect to this job as well.

00:19:58.57 >> Is there anything else that potential ICE employees

00:20:00.63 should know about the Academy?

00:20:02.91 >> Well, I would say that, again,

00:20:04.56 Todd covered a lot of that in his last answer, and everything.

00:20:06.81 But the students need to be prepared both mentally

00:20:09.21 and physically when they arrive here,

00:20:10.91 because they are going to be pushed to the limit on both of those.

00:20:14.19 They may have two tests in one day;

00:20:16.59 they may have a physical fitness test first thing in the morning,

00:20:19.30 then they may have to qualify with their firearm.

00:20:22.39 They're going to be pushed to the limits here,

00:20:24.22 they have to be mentally prepared

00:20:25.74 just as well as you need to be physically prepared for the Academy.

00:20:30.39 >> I think that the trainees, they're coming to a good place,

00:20:33.27 if they do get hired and attend either the HSI Academy,

00:20:37.43 or they're going through the integrated Academy the ERO has.

00:20:40.14 They both are accredited with the Federal Law Enforcement

00:20:42.53 Training Accreditation body.

00:20:44.60 FLETC Glynco, where we are here, it's probably the top law enforcement

00:20:47.69 training facility in the world, definitely in the country.

00:20:51.31 Both ERO and HSI have a really excellent,

00:20:53.46 experienced, motivated cadre of instructors.

00:20:56.92 So we really offer some of the best law enforcement

00:20:58.69 training in the federal government, so I think everybody should know that.

00:21:02.05 They do come here to training,

00:21:04.16 these training programs are pushed to teach

00:21:06.48 what they need to know to get them out there to do the job.

00:21:09.16 We don't have a lot of fluff, we don't have a lot of extra time.

00:21:11.65 That's why we do physical fitness training after hours.

00:21:14.37 There are long days, or busy days,

00:21:16.10 but we go out of our way to make sure trainees leave

00:21:19.22 and are prepared mentally, physically and tactically as physically possible.

00:21:24.86 >> I would just like to add also that the staff here,

00:21:27.21 both the HSI and the ERO Academy have a vested interest

00:21:31.54 in putting out the best product that leaves the Academy.

00:21:36.61 We have a tremendous rapport between the two Academies,

00:21:40.96 and we're willing to help out the students to whatever they need.

00:21:43.58 We run after hours remedial training,

00:21:45.63 we're willing to meet students early in the morning if they need to.

00:21:50.77 We'll do whatever we need to,

00:21:52.01 to help the student be successful while they're here.

00:21:55.43 >> Yeah. Ultimately, most of us on staff here

00:21:57.53 will eventually return to the field as well,

00:21:59.20 and be working with or supervising those students

00:22:04.25 that become special agents or deportation officers.

00:22:06.46 So it's an investment not just in the Academy,

00:22:09.06 but who we'll be working with within the field.

00:22:11.92 >> Well, thank you so much for being with us today.

00:22:14.48 Todd Rignel from HSI and Frank Unger from ERO,

00:22:18.55 I sincerely appreciate your insight into what it takes to be successful

00:22:24.32 either through the ERO program or the HSI program, at FLETC.

00:22:29.06 Thank you both.

00:22:30.28 >> Thank you. >> Thank you.

00:22:31.71 >> To our listeners: Please go to ice.gov/careers

00:22:35.18 to find detailed information about ICE career tracks.

00:22:38.48 A list of upcoming recruiting events, to sign up for email,

00:22:42.12 career update notifications, specific job descriptions

00:22:45.98 and a list of frequently asked questions.

00:22:48.64 Please join us next time on Careers at ICE to learn more about the agency

00:22:52.98 and how to start your career in law enforcement.