|
July 21, 2017
Contact: 1st Lt. Steve Burton, 517-284-5993
Track progress of DNR’s Conservation Officer Recruit School through weekly blogs
Twenty-five candidates reported Sunday night, July 16, to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources 8th Conservation Officer Recruit School in Lansing.
The recruits – 18 men and seven women from across Michigan and out of state – began their 23-week journey to complete the school and earn the title of Michigan conservation officer. Assuming they are successful, reaching that milestone is only half the battle. Upon graduating Dec. 21 and becoming probationary officers, they spend an additional 20 weeks of training throughout the state, tapping the experience of their veteran colleagues, before being assigned to one of Michigan’s 83 counties.
“Conservation officers have protected Michigan’s natural resources and citizens for 130 years,” said Gary Hagler, DNR Law Enforcement Division chief. “It takes special men and women to do this work. We’re pleased with the quality of our recruits and want them to succeed. At the end of the day, though, it’s up to them. We’re highly selective as to who joins our ranks. Nothing is given; everything is earned.”
The recruits were selected from more than 500 applicants seeking acceptance to the academy.
Share their journey as they tackle the academy’s challenges, and get a close-up look as instructors mold the recruits to meet uncompromising standards through education, motivation and perspiration. Subscribe to the weekly conservation officer academy blog, which also will be posted on the Michigan DNR Facebook page.
The first blog entry follows.
First night: Recruits prepare for a lifelong commitment
The lessons began before recruits even entered the building.
As the new arrivals lined the walkway Sunday night, awaiting the instructor’s command to enter the Department of  Natural Resources 8th Recruit School, it was instilled in them that what they are about to go through will shape the way they conduct themselves for the rest of their lives.
There’s a right way to walk. A right way to talk. A right way to look. A right way to act. Excellence is a habit, as veteran conservation officers say.
These men and women are not just pursuing a career choice. They’re making a lifestyle choice. That’s why they were told to report to the academy dressed as professionals. Leave the flip-flops and T-shirts at home. Projecting a professional appearance and demeanor is essential to a conservation officers.
Anyone who didn’t grasp that this is a lifelong commitment was quickly set straight by Sgt. Jason Wicklund, Recruit School commander, and his volunteer cadre of instructors.
Teamwork and selflessness aren’t just words, recruits were told. They are principles that guide all conservation officers. Service always comes before self.
“We’re not individuals. We’re a team,” Wicklund said, sizing up his recruits with steely eyes. “If you push people aside, or think only of yourself, you will not make it through this academy.”
In other words, check your individuality at the door. From here on out there’s only one identity that matters – that of a Michigan conservation officer. That message was amplified by 1st Lt. Steve Burton, training section supervisor, who offered encouragement but also demanded accountability and responsibility from each recruit.
“Today we start the journey of making you conservation officers,” Burton said. “You can do it, but I can’t make you  want to do it. You can do it if you want to do it.”
Wicklund then got down to the nitty-gritty. “A conservation officer job is not your traditional law enforcement job,” he said. “We are very good at what we do, and you’re going to learn that. I will push you past what you think is your comfort zone. This is a 23-week job interview. You will prove yourselves to me and my staff every day.”
The recruits then were marched into the building, and into a whole new world, to begin proving they belong.
After a brief introduction to instructors, recruits were given seven minutes to run the stairs to their rooms and put on their academy uniforms, get back to the ground floor for inspection, and run back to their rooms if anything was not right. Upon lining up in alphabetical order, recruits nervously stood at attention as instructors eyeballed every inch of their uniforms, pointing out infractions such as missing nametags or improperly tucked shirts.
After further instruction on proper marching and the right way to enter their rooms, it was lights out at 10 p.m. In seven hours, recruits would be rousted from beds to confront their first full day of academy life.
They made it through the first night. But that’s a drop in the bucket compared to the 23 weeks of nonstop mental, physical and emotional challenges that lie ahead.
They soon will learn, as Wicklund emphasized, that the only easy day in the academy is yesterday.
/Note to editors: Accompanying photos are available below for download. Caption information follows.
Setting_expectations: 1st Lt. Steve Burton shares his expectations with the 2017 recruit class. Burton offered encouragement but made clear that success or failure rests with each candidate.
Reporting_for_training: Sgt. Jason Wicklund, DNR Conservation Officer Recruit School commander, checks the recruits in Sunday night as they await admittance to the training academy. After a brief orientation, recruits quickly shed their civilian clothes and put on their uniforms, the first step in a long, rigorous process in which they will try to transition from civilians to DNR conservation officers./
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.
|
