What is Ben Clark Academy really like?

[silverbox]

post edited, sorry!

[ask80]

well prepare to get bashed by other LEOs, since we all went through a similar harsh PT, drill sergeant type, uniform inspection, and other militaristic practices. it's not silly and it's definitely necessary. if you can't handle the 6 months of it then i'm not sure how you'll handle it in the real world when you wear your uniform and gun. i'm assuming you got hired for a peace officer position since you're going through the whole academy. you just have to suck it up. if you don't want to go through that type of academy then you shouldn't work in law enforcement. yes i've heard ben clark is a tough academy. i'm sure the RSO trainees can chime in.

[LA DEP]

Let me go get my asbestos suit......because the flaming is about to begin:D

[DagoStar]

QUIT NOW....You may as well not even go... everything that you don't like is going to be there. You should really try and find a job were you don't even carry a gun.... I am not a Park Ranger but I know for a fact that rangers often deal with real idiots (drunks, parolees, transients, bikers, bangers, etc) in the parks, beaches, and campgrounds they patrol.

These academies are not meant to berate you or make you stand straight, their intention is to prepare you for a number of situations you may encounter in your career... They are meant for you to pay attention to detail and to have command presence. When you are out there dealing with dirt bags you and your "individuality" will get slammed to the ground..

I'm trying not to be harsh but just honest with you.

[chrisari]

Before you start the academy do yourself and everyone a favor, quit now!Try looking for a job some where else like Disneyland because of these reasons:

(1) Disneyland does not require for you to attend any harsh physical training academy prior to getting hired
(2) Disneyland does not have any drill sergeant types of people as Supervisors
(3) Disneyland does NOT care what type of uniform you wear (Goofy, Pluto etc..) as long as your friendly and like taking pictures
(4) Disneyland does not have uniform inspections as long as your breathing and looking goofy in them than you're all squared away (you might find this silly but its necessary)
(5) Disneyland does not run its bussines "military type" so it might be easier for you to express your individuality skills
(6) Disneyland does not require for you to run 3 to six miles a day for PT for six months, so you don't have to be afraid of overly harsh physical training

I guess what i am trying to say is to please quit. I hope I don't offend.

[pulicords]

It's been more than a few years, but the people I've known who went to both said that Riverside County Sheriff's Academy was much more academic and less "stress" than the Los Angeles County Sheriff's academy.

I don't know what level of training you'll receive as a park ranger/life guard, but I doubt this is a full peace officer status position (given your attitude) and the training program you'll be participating in won't be the same as deputy sheriff or police officer trainees.

Just go there with an open mind, the ability to learn and the knowledge that whatever difficulties you encounter, you can overcome if you really want this position.

[1tyme]

The word's on the tier...Your proctors are waiting for you.

[SoCalSheriff]

2 1/2 years ago, BCTC was a para-military academy. We spent ALOT of time on the grinder. You will have "Drill Sergeant" types there, we even had a few "Drill Instructors" (if you do not know the difference, find a Marine and ask him). You were stressed physically while being verbally quizzed. One error and your whole squad helped you pay for it. You will learn teamwork. This happened 8-10 times a day, but tapered off towards the end.

It was a good academy. I do not know what it is like now. If you get there you will meet Lt. Ramos if he is still there. He works for Parks and Recreation, and will leave no doubt in your mind that there are some bad-*****es in that department. All together now "Dooooown!!!!"

Have fun.

[IE Copper]

I love the Disneyland post :)

I have respect for this guy, it takes alot of guts to admit you are a wimp.

Now all he has to do is admit to himself that he needs to find another career...

[lsxowner]

As a recent graduate from the Ben Clark Training Academy, I'll let you in on a little secret. It is everything you dislike and even more. About every two hours, you will go to the "grinder" which is a concrete platform where you get yelled at by the tac staff. PT is also highly motivating, a lot of exercises we did, the instructors said we wouldn't stop until people starting throwing up. You will do things never thought possible in black friday, will to survive, and many other extra curricular activities.

[jfoote85]

I love the Disneyland post :)

I have respect for this guy, it takes alot of guts to admit you are a wimp.

Now all he has to do is admit to himself that he needs to find another career...

How's the elitism? Because that is all he has been offered so far. It's one thing to tell the guy what he asked to know. It's a whole different ball game to blatantly insult him. Little harsh if you ask me. . .

[davjon14]

I feel that I am qualified to reply to this for I would be apart of your senior class if you choose to do this. I completely understand the previous posts, for something that is worth anything, especially in this day of age, and to add a career change for you, if you previous experience will not be easy. if not all, most have gone thru what you are about abark upon and we all made the choice, sacrifice and are better for it. You can look at it like this. You have a job opportunity that a lot of people wont get and of course you need to ask yourself these questions. With that said here is my opinion. Prior to being hired with the sheriff's dept. I was a general contractor, I knew going in at 35 yrs old that it was not going to be easy. The academy life is very tuff, they will weed out the people that do not belong for they did that with 38 recruits within the first 4 weeks for my class which is the 175th. It is para-military, it is physical; running, sit-ups ,push ups, etc. yelling in your face, naking you do things that you would not normally do, but they wont touch you. It is only 26 weeks and it flys by quickly. They will test you on learning domains, make you have to learn the code of ethics, radio codes, etc. But like me if you take it as though this is something they have to do to make you a good law enforcement officer and go along with it, than you will do just fine. You will have to prepare physically, such as running, sit-ups, and a lot of push-ups. It is a very rewarding career and for those that graduate, something that is special. You have to decide whether or not you are willing to do this. Hopefully this helps, and whatever you choose good luck.

[bigwillie909]

Wow, at 28 years old I consider myself mature too, but the academy is making me a better person, tactically speaking. Ive also been through a fire academy, which was my previous career, and Ill tell you it was nothing compared to the police academy.

[sotzo]

I don't think anyone "wants" to go through those things... its just something you have to do.

My academy was relatively easy compared to things I have heard about others, but we had two recruits from the Department of Insurance... both in their 40's... they wouldn't outright complain about the PT and DT stuff, but they made it clear they thought they where above all the physical stuff since they wouldn't be dealing with the 'rough elements of society.' The TO's and the other recruits didnt like their attitude... good for them I think the TO's felt bad they had to go through the full academy and kinda let up on them... but I wouldnt count on that going into yours.

If you cant tough something out for 6 months for a 30 year career, maybe you should give it second thoughts?

[ComicGuy]

The academy is the academy;nothing more, nothing less.
Just do what you have to do, listen to the instructors who are tough because they want you to learn something, tolerate the jackoffs who are are tough because they're tin-pot dictators who get off on causing pain, then get out into the real world.
Just surviving it will make you a more confident, stronger person.

[silverbox]

post edited, sorry!

[lsxowner]

yo should be able to do 50 pushups/min and 50 situps/min without struggling and be able to run 5-7 miles at a decent pace. 1 1/2 mile in under 13 minutes, preferably under 12.

[syphon157]

Just remember, when you are going through it, the stuff they make you do may seem stupid and trivial, but they do everything for a reason. Eventually you will figure that out and then it will just click (hopefully).

[davjon14]

If You Pm Me With Specific Questions I Will Do My Best To Answer Your Questions. Tomm. We Are Going To Be Half Way Thru!!! We Have Our Mid-term. Are You Slotted For The 176th Academy? And If So Have They Given You A Date? As For Physical Stuff, The Most We Have Ran In One Week Total Is 6miles.