Graduation: The beginning
Week 22: May 29 – June 3
For the 16 recruits returning to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources conservation officer training academy Tuesday, May 31, graduation wasn’t just a faraway dream. It was about to become a reality, marking the beginning of their careers as conservation officers. However, four days and two major tests still stood between them and their ultimate goal.
Final physical fitness exam
Their two final, major challenges took place Tuesday. If they didn’t pass, they didn’t graduate. Early that morning, the recruits reported to the gymnasium for their final Michigan Commission on Law Enforcement Standards (MCOLES) exit physical fitness test. It was the same rotation of activities – sprints, pushups, situps, pullups and more – except required repetitions were higher and times to complete them were lower. Not surprisingly, all recruits passed without any issues. They’d been preparing for this since week one.
Law enforcement licensing exam
Their most difficult and most important challenge came later that morning. Recruits took their MCOLES law enforcement licensing exam, taken by all Michigan law enforcement officers. Recruits had three hours to complete the 200-question exam, encompassing most material learned through the prior weeks.
After the exam, recruits and the dedicated academy staff – all conservation officers who had committed the past 22 weeks to full-time training of the recruits – anxiously awaited the results. Without passing the exam, the recruits could not become conservation officers and the end of the academy would be the end of their careers. But the  news finally came – and it was all good! Fourteen of the recruits had taken the exam (two recruits already were licensed as prior law enforcement officers, and so did not need to retake the exam), and all 14 recruits passed! The members of Recruit School No. 7 were now solidified. This would be the final list of classmates, the ones who’d endured so much together and would graduate together Friday as a team.
Patrol trucks
With graduation less than three days away, recruits were issued their patrol trucks, Chevy Silverados equipped with radio, computer hookup and all the tools they’ll need to do their jobs.
Hunter safety
 Hunter safety and hunter casualty investigation were taught by Cpl. David Painter and Cpl. Ryan Rademacher Wednesday morning. The recruits spent several hours learning how to use the hunter safety software and equipment, and then headed outdoors to complete two hunter fatality scenarios. The first scenario involved an accidental, self-inflicted gunshot wound that resulted in a fatality. The second scenario involved a fatality as a result of a hunter accidentally shooting another hunter.
“Unfortunately, these types of scenarios are played out in real life each year,” said Sgt. Jason Wicklund, recruit school commander. “These scenarios reinforced why hunter safety is so important.”
Environmental crimes
It was back in the classroom that afternoon, learning about the multitude of environmental crimes such as illegal dumping, burning and spills. The class was instructed by Lt. Vence Woods from the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality.
 Torch Run
Thursday morning, the day before graduation, was a special day for the class. The recruits ran the first leg of the Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics Michigan. At 10:30 a.m., they left the steps of the Capitol building, running in formation during their 5-mile leg of the journey while carrying the “Flame of Hope.”
The conservation officer recruits ended their leg of the journey at Old U.S. 27 near Stoll Road, passing the torch to the Lansing Police Department. As the Guardians of the Flame, more than 30 law enforcement Torch Run volunteers representing different agencies ran the torch 70 miles to the opening ceremony of the Special Olympics Michigan State Summer Games. The law enforcement volunteers participating in the final leg of the run arrived at 6:30 p.m. in Kelly/Shorts Stadium at Central Michigan University in Mt. Pleasant, passing the flame to a Special Olympics Michigan athlete who lit the Flame of Hope.
Read more about conservation officer recruit participation in the event.
View a short video of the recruits running their leg of the Law Enforcement Torch Run.
Probationary training
That afternoon, recruits received probationary program training, instructed by Sgt. Wicklund and Cpl. Steve Martin. This class covered what is required of each recruit while in the 20-week probationary phase of training, when they’ll be referred to as probationary conservation officers. Once the probationary period is complete, the "probationary" portion of their title is removed.
 Almost there
For many, it seemed like Friday would never come. When it finally did, it was with mixed emotions. Early that morning, recruits gathered on the Capitol steps for their class portrait, a tribute to their perseverance. Also that morning, for the very first time, the recruits were issued CS spray, live Taser cartridges and ammunition.
Graduation ceremony practice took up the remainder of the morning.
Graduation and beginnings
By noon, the many family and friends of these recruits – these conservation officers – began to arrive at the Michigan State Police training facility. They gathered outside the auditorium and when the doors opened for seating, they were handed a ceremony program and proudly filed
into the room. The large room soon filled to capacity as people anxiously awaited that moment when they’d see their recruits march single file into the room.
 At 1 p.m., with lights dim, there was a gentle rumble in the distance, a soft march that grew louder as the recruits neared the room. In unison, the team marched into the auditorium, stepping in beat as they marched down the steps and stood in the first two rows of the room. The ceremony had begun.
Over the next 90 minutes, speakers reflected on the hard work of the recruits, the dedication and support of their families – the very people sitting in the audience – and the commitment of recruit school staff. They offered sincere well wishes for these brave men who are committed to the protection of Michigan’s citizens and its natural resources.
“Police officers and game wardens are a different breed, and when the two are combined they create a truly unique individual: a Michigan conservation officer,” said DNR Law
Enforcement Division Chief Gary Hagler during his speech
to the recruits. “You will now run to the sound of gunfire, and not away from it. You will now look forward to confronting dangerous individuals in the protection of others and in the protection of our natural resources.”
 Hagler continued, “You are now public servants and warriors for justice. Tomorrow, you will awake to find that you are beginning the day for the first time as fully sworn and empowered Michigan conservation officers."
DNR Natural Resources Deputy William O’Neill gave the keynote address. “The work of a conservation officer is done without a lot of fanfare or recognition, and it is vitally important to the life of Michigan and its residents,” he said. “You are the front line in the critical mission of protecting and managing our state’s natural and cultural resources for the people of our state.”
Following speeches, Sgt. Wicklund presented the Academic and Technical Excellence Award to recruit Jeffrey Dell and the Tactical Excellence Award to recruit Nathan Sink. David Harvey, executive director of MCOLES, presented the outstanding performance award to recruit Joseph Deppen.
Following the award presentation, Chief Hagler approached the podium for the moment the recruits had looked forward to for a very long time. He asked them to stand and raise their right hand, and they took the oath of office.
 The conservation officers filed to the front and as their names were called, they accepted their certificates and badges. They moved to the side walls of the auditorium, lining them. Family members approached each recruit and, in a sentimental portion of the ceremony, pinned on their officer’s badge.
Read more about the graduation ceremony. View a short video of the graduation.
After graduation
After graduation, the probationary conservation officers – with bags packed – moved out of the MSP training facility and headed home. Monday would begin their next adventure, 18 weeks of field training paired with experienced conservation officers. In addition to the field training, the officers will also receive several weeks of specialized training in areas such as marine boat handling and waterfowl and trapping enforcement, among others.
Unique stories to tell
 For some of these officers, their dream began when they were children, knowing at the time they wanted to protect and serve. Others decided when they were teenagers or young adults, impressed by conversations with conservation officers and wanting to make a difference. Each of these officers has a story to tell and a unique reason for becoming a conservation officer, and these stories will be shared through this blog in upcoming months.
It began with 24 recruits. Through physical and mental challenges and pushing themselves to their limits and then a little bit further, these 16 recruits prevailed, earning the title of conservation officer. They are no longer individuals: These officers move forward as a team united by their common mission, goals and passion to serve and protect.
Congratulations to conservation officers Ryan Andrews, Zachary Bauer, John Byars, Jr., Kyle Cherry, Jeffrey Dell, Joseph Deppen, Travis Dragomer, Colton Gelinas, Troy Ludwig, Joseph Myers, Thomas Oberg, Jeremy Sergey, Nathan Sink, Eric Smither, Casey Varriale and Carter Woodwyk.
 Blog updates continue
Continue to follow blog updates to learn more about these new officers and their challenges and accomplishments throughout field training and beyond.
Subscribe to the weekly conservation officer academy blog, which also is posted weekly on the Michigan DNR Facebook page. View past blogs from Recruit School No. 7. Intermittent posts will continue after graduation.
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/Photo details: Accompanying photos are available below for download. Caption information follows.
2016 Torch Run speeches.jpg: Law enforcement officers, including Department of Natural Resources Law Enforcement Division Chief Gary Hagler, addressed the crowd on the steps of the Capitol building just prior to the start of the Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics Michigan.
 2016 Torch Run 1.jpg: The conservation officer academy recruits ran the first leg of the Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics Michigan.
2016 Torch Run 2.jpg: The conservation officer recruits, participants in the first leg of the Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics Michigan, ended their leg of the journey at Old U.S. 27 near Stoll Road, passing the torch to the Lansing Police Department.
2016 Conservation Officer Recruit Class No. 7.jpg: The 16 graduating conservation officer academy recruits from Recruit School No. 7 are pictured with 10 Department of Natural Resources Law Enforcement Division officials and academy staff, who were instrumental in their success. Pictured in the front row, left to right, are 1st Lt. Steven Burton, Assistant Chief Dean Molnar, Chief Gary Hagler and Sgt. John Meka. Recruit school commander, Sgt. Jason Wicklund, is pictured in the second row to the far right.
Marching.jpg: Recruits marched into the auditorium at the start of conservation officer academy graduation at the Michigan State Police Training Facility in Lansing.
Chief Gary Hagler.jpg: Department of Natural Resources Law Enforcement Division Chief Gary Hagler spoke about the dedication of conservation officers during the graduation ceremony.
Badge pinning ceremony 1.jpg: Michigan Department of Natural Resources Conservation Officer Andy Bauer pinned the badge on his son, Probationary Conservation Officer Zachary Bauer.
Badge pinning ceremony 2.jpg: The bade of Probationary Conservation Officer Kyle Cherry was pinned on by his girlfriend, Morgan Rodenbaugh.
Badge pinning ceremony 3.jpg: Abby Deppen, the wife of Probationary Conservation Officer Joseph Deppen, pinned on his badge during the ceremony.
After graduation ceremony.jpg: The newly appointed probationary conservation officers congratulated each other after the ceremony. Recruit school staff, including recruit school commander Sgt. Jason Wicklund (center), also offered their congratulations./
The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is committed to the conservation, protection, management, use and enjoyment of the state’s natural and cultural resources for current and future generations. For more information, go to www.michigan.gov/dnr.
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