Modular Academy- Ben Clark

[mike951]

I posted a couple of questions about 8 months ago; all of the feedback was great, thanks! Fast forward to now, I will be starting the Modular Academy at Ben Clark on March 6th (Level III). I would like to see if anyone could give me some feedback on what to expect the first week or so. Based on conversations I have had with others I get the impression that it will not be like a Black Monday type thing. I know once you get to Level II the staff steps it up pretty good, and even more for Level I. I would like to get an idea (stress wise) what I may be seeing, also, in terms of P.T., what can I look forward to?

Thanks for all of your help.

[ejay]

Never seen a level III academy. Well, maybe a citizen's academy. What do you hope to achieve after graduation of such a place? I have never seen a "level III" reserve but as I understand it they only work logistical jobs.

All standard reserve academies that train you to the level II and level I stage of certification would be a more realistic goal even if you are looking for a modular atmosphere.

After looking at the course catalog it seems that PC832 is a part of the level three training. But to stretch a level III academy out eleven weeks is a bit much don't you think? Do you plan to take each level in it's modular form all the way to level I?

I am not familiar with the Ben Clark academy but it looks very much structured. I do however know that the PT standards for level II and level I are the same as POST requires them to be. I don't know that they would do much fitness training in a level III academy other than endurance, and preparation for the level II academy if you plan to continue.

The Ben Clark academy requires that you graduate from the level III academy as a prerequisite to entering the level II. If that wasn't the case I would have recommended that you go strait to the level II. In fact, you still can, just not at Ben Clark.

Sorry I can't answer you questions directly. Have you considered asking around the student housing?

[hbliam]

Never seen a level III academy. Well, maybe a citizen's academy.

The Ben Clark academy requires that you graduate from the level III academy as a prerequisite to entering the level II. If that wasn't the case I would have recommended that you go strait to the level II. In fact, you still can, just not at Ben Clark.


You have to complete Level III to go to II to go to I, no matter where you take the course. That's what the "modular" academy is. It's the equivalent of the full basic broken into three modules. No where can you go straight to II or I.

[ejay]

You have to complete Level III to go to II to go to I, no matter where you take the course. That's what the "modular" academy is. It's the equivalent of the full basic broken into three modules. No where can you go straight to II or I.

Then it must have changed since my level II training years back. Either that or the level II academy I attended must have included level III training.

As for my level I academy training, you're right. You couldn't get in without a current level II completion certificate.

[hbliam]

How many years back? They use to have a "module d" but that was cut with the implentation of the modular academy format. Sometime around 2000-2001. Or as you said, your level II class included it. Mine did, I took LIII and II as one (long) class, then LI later.

[mike951]

ejay,

I hope to achieve getting through all of the levels of the Modular Academy. I know this isn't the quickest approach, others say "why not get hired and let them put you through". My reasoning is that by going the Modular route I still keep my "day job", at this time I would have a hard time providing for my family if I worked full time in L.E., that could change, but for right now I am pretty comfortable in terms of finances. There is also somewhat a technicality involved with my wife, as she said she would never marry a cop. That said she knows how much I have always wanted to go into L.E., so I got her to compromise on the Reserve thing. I am 39 years old, and feel I have waited long enough as it is, I'm not getting any younger. By the way my wife is 911 dispatcher now (been doing it a couple of years), I think she has a different perspective on L.E. now, she now sees firsthand that being a deputy/police officer doesn't mean people are shooting at you all day long, or that I will be in pursuits every day, don't get me wrong, I do recognize how dangerous the job can be. I feel her initial concern was for my safety. Going the Modular route I hope to get picked up as a Reserve so I can get my feet wet. I also think by putting myself through the Academy will show how committed I am, maybe opening some doors if I decide to go full time, frankly, at my age, I feel some agencies will have second thoughts about hiring someone my age. I have gone on a few ride alongs with officers /deputies that took the same route, as hard as it was for them it worked out in the long run.

[hbliam]

at my age, I feel some agencies will have second thoughts about hiring someone my age. I have gone on a few ride alongs with officers /deputies that took the same route, as hard as it was for them it worked out in the long run.

My buddy got hired at 44, I got hired at 36, another friend started at 38. Your fine. If you want it just go do it. The quicker you start your PERS retirement, the quicker you can retire.

[ask80]

i'm not sure if you mentioned this, but why not also try to be sponsored as a reserve? some or most agencies that sponsor reserves will pretty much cover the costs. look into RSO's reserve or other large LE organizations. if you were close to LA, i'd recommend LASD reserve program. lots of opportunities within the reserve program

[eagleI]

There is no PT required by POST in Level III but there is DT. The individual academy may throw PT in but there probably isn't time if you are on a 20 hour week.

[Conallron]

I went to College of San Mateo in the Bay Area and took level 3, it was a no stress environment. The only PT you have is in DT, and that is just to get your heart rate up a little/stretch.

Level 2 is the same way from what I understand from the instructors, and we did not wear any uniforms. I believe Evergreen College in San Jose they wear BDU's and is a low-moderate stress until level 1 and then its high stress.

[ejay]

I went to College of San Mateo in the Bay Area and took level 3, it was a no stress environment. The only PT you have is in DT, and that is just to get your heart rate up a little/stretch.

Level 2 is the same way from what I understand from the instructors, and we did not wear any uniforms. I believe Evergreen College in San Jose they wear BDU's and is a low-moderate stress until level 1 and then its high stress.


I can't imagine a level II academy with light PT. My level II PT training was just as militant and structured as my level I PT training.

As far as I know, the PT entry requirements are the same for level I and II as they are for a basic academy. I am not sure if POST structures the "in academy conditioning".

I believe that my level II academy must have included the level III training in the course. Though I can't find anything on their website stating that it does (and that academy was level II only).

[hbliam]

There is no POST requirement for PT in either the Level III or II portion of the modular academy. All 40 (same amount as a Regular Basic class) of the required hours are in Level I. If you got PT in your Level II class is was purely for the Tac staff's enjoyment. We got it to get us ready for the demands of the Level I PT class, but they couldn't fail us out based on PT alone until Level I.