New conservation officers make the grade after completing 23-week training
Week 23: Dec. 17-21, 2017
The audience murmur hushed as the footsteps pounded out a steady cadence, growing louder and louder. Family and friends immediately turned their heads, with all eyes locked on the center aisle as Michigan’s newest conservation officers marched in perfect step toward the front rows.
It was, after all, their rightful place. After proving themselves day in and day out for 23 weeks, the young men and  women earned the right to take these seats of honor as the graduation ceremony began.
Their march was as much a beginning as it was an ending. While it marked their completion of the Michigan Department of Natural Resources Conservation Officer Recruit School, it also heralded the start of their careers, and an adherence to a code of conduct by which they will live their lives.
Everything is earned
Success was not guaranteed when recruits arrived in July. They were told Day One that nothing at the academy is given; everything is earned. Whether they graduated was up to them. They had to rely on their brains, strength, courage, determination – and each other.
Pushed academically, emotionally and physically, recruits soon learned that the only easy day at the academy is yesterday, as Sgt. Jason Wicklund, Recruit School commander, had warned them. Yet they overcame each challenge, and grew as individuals, during their quest to wear the green and gray uniform of a Michigan conservation officer.
There were ups and downs, for sure. Good days and bad. But this is the day that truly matters, because as of today, they belong.
Taking care of business
Some things about the academy never change. There still was a lot to accomplish before Thursday’s graduation. Monday was a big day as recruits had to complete their Michigan Commission on Law Enforcement Standards (MCOLES) licensing exam, a mandatory test for all Michigan law enforcement officers. Recruits had three hours to complete the comprehensive exam, which was based on material covered during the previous 22 weeks. The expressions on their faces afterward made clear that the test was tough. They were on pins and needles until later in the day, when Sgt. Wicklund met with them individually to give them their results.
Ready to roll
Tuesday was filled with excitement and energy. In the morning, recruits headed to the state of Michigan’s Vehicle and Travel Services complex to pick up their Chevy Silverado patrol trucks, outfitted with the communications and other  necessary equipment that enables conservation officers to do their jobs. Recruits have logged time in their instructors’ trucks throughout the academy, but being able to climb into their own vehicles was a special moment. Representatives of General Motors and all of the technicians who helped build the vehicles’ lighting and radio packages were on hand to congratulate recruits.
Conservation officers are always on the move, whether on routine patrols, responding to accidents or conducting search and rescue operations. Their vehicles are mobile offices that allow them to cover wide areas as they protect Michigan’s natural resources and citizens.
The class then squeezed in more classroom work, learning about hunter safety and hunter casualty investigation from Cpl. Ryan Rademacher. It’s a sad fact that accidents and fatalities do occur in the field. Conservation officers must understand the elements of a safe hunt, possess the skills to investigate incidents involving injuries or fatalities, and be able to educate others about staying safe in the woods.
“Hunter safety is required for all hunters born after Jan. 1, 1960,” Cpl. Rademacher said. “This requirement has  dramatically reduced hunter fatalities and created generations of safe, responsible hunters.”
Special guests
Later that day, the class was visited by Gov. Rick Snyder, DNR Director Keith Creagh, DNR Law Enforcement Division Chief Gary Hagler and Assistant Chief Dean Molnar.
The governor visited the academy during Week 7 to offer encouragement, and returned Tuesday to congratulate the soon-to-be graduates. “Thank you for making this commitment to our state and to everyone who calls it home,” the governor said.
Gov. Snyder also commended the academy staff for their tireless work, then spent time talking with recruits about their new duty assignments and joining them for photos.
Next steps
Much of Wednesday was spent in probationary training program classes led by Sgt. Wicklund and Cpl. Steve Martin.  Instructors walked recruits through what they will need to do once the next phase of their training begins Dec. 26. Each graduate will train in different areas of the state with veteran conservation officers for the next 20 weeks. During that time the probationary conservation officers will be expected to handle all of the administrative tasks and associated paperwork, which they will turn in to Sgt. Wicklund biweekly.
“The recruits’ paperwork is very important as it contains a documented record of their progress,” Sgt. Wicklund said. “Each recruit will be expected to do their own paperwork and turn it in by the designated times. This process will continue throughout their careers.”
After doing some graduation ceremony rehearsal, recruits and instructors capped off Wednesday evening with a final group dinner.
Dreams come true
It’s here! Graduation morning saw recruits get up early for the thrill of putting on their Class A uniforms for the first time. They then traveled to downtown Lansing for their formal class photos on the Capitol steps. After that, it was back to the academy for a dress rehearsal and more preparation for one of the biggest moments in their lives.
Welcome to the DNR
At 1 p.m. sharp, recruits marched into the auditorium, basking in the pride of beaming families and friends who filled the room. After Assistant Chief Molnar welcomed the guests, Chief Hagler shared his thoughts with recruits and their families.
“Today, our recruits are graduating,” he said. “They are slightly different people than they were just a few months ago.  They have forged bonds with one another that will last a lifetime. Today, they have reached their goal and now they will begin their journey to assist and aid others.”
Director Creagh delivered the keynote address, and proudly welcomed the new conservation officers to the DNR.
“It takes a special person to accept the responsibilities that come with protecting Michigan’s natural resources and citizens,” Director Creagh said. “You endured the academic and physical demands of Recruit School because you want to serve our state. In addition to being front-line defenders of our natural resources, you will play an essential role in ensuring the safety of our communities, often serving as first responders when emergencies arise.”
Outstanding performers
Following the formal remarks, Sgt. Wicklund recognized two recruits for their special achievements. He presented the Academic and Technical Excellence Award to recruit Nicholas Wellman, and the Tactical Excellence Award to recruit Keven Luther. After those presentations, Michael Logghe, MCOLES executive director, presented the Outstanding Performance Award to recruit Danielle Zubek.
Shields of gold
After 23 weeks, it all came down to this. Chief Hagler stepped to the rostrum and asked recruits to raise their right hands as he administered the oath of office. The recruits – oops, make that “new conservation officers” – then filed to the front as their names were called, accepting their credentials and badges. In perhaps the most moving portion of the ceremony, the new officers lined up while family members pinned the badges to their chests. The significance of the moment was understood by all. The badges represent not only a tremendous personal achievement, but the officers’ commitment to serve their communities, state and nation with courage, honor and integrity for the rest of their lives.
Congratulations, graduates!
Recruit School #8 was a long haul, but 22 men and women made the grade. Congratulations to new Conservation Officers Adam Beuthin, Joshua Boudreaux, Stephen Butzin, Jeremy Cantrell, Sidney Collins, Jessica Curtis, James Garrett, Jennifer Hanson, Micah Hintze, Nicholas Ingersoll, Charles Jones, Jonathan Kamps, Keven Luther, Amanda McCurdy, Kyle McQueer, Zachary Painter, Tyler Sabuda, Cody Smith, Katie Stawara, Justin Vinson, Nicholas Wellman and Danielle Zubek.
More roads to travel
For graduates, this is a time to revel in the satisfaction of a job well done while preparing to launch their exciting careers. But, in what seems to be the story of their young lives, more challenges await. While their academy days are behind them, they now embark on their next phase as “probationary” conservation officers. Upon completing these tests, they’ll lose the “probationary” part of their titles and report to their assigned areas for duty.
For academy staff, the job never really seems done. There still are administrative and logistical details to wrap up, along with upcoming assessments and evaluations that will be used to help future Recruit Schools continually improve. But these are tasks for another day. For now, the instructors who have given so much of their time and talents will squeeze in a holiday break before returning to duty in their home areas.
They are, after all, Michigan conservation officers, which means there are more hills to climb, more rivers to paddle, more fields to roam, more roads to travel.
Subscribe to the weekly conservation officer academy blog, which also will be posted on the Michigan DNR Facebook page. View previous blogs from Recruit School #8.
/Note to editors: Accompanying photos are available below for download. Caption information follows.
Badge_of_honor: Loved ones pin the hard-earned gold badges on the chests of their new conservation officers as the graduation ceremony draws to a close. Receiving the badge is an emotional moment, as it represents not only the hard work it took to earn it, but the lifelong commitment to service by those who wear it.
Congratulations: Gov. Rick Snyder takes time from his schedule to visit with conservation officer recruits prior to graduation. The governor is a strong supporter of conservation officers and their mission. He also visited the academy earlier in the year to observe training and encourage recruits. Joining the governor in his visit were DNR Director Keith Creagh and DNR Law Enforcement Division Chief Gary Hagler.
Ready_to_roll: Recruits line up in front of their new Chevy Silverado patrol trucks as graduation nears. Conservation officers log countless miles in their patrol trucks and rely on them as mobile offices, which enables officers to patrol their areas and protect Michigan’s natural resources.
Big_day: Members of the Michigan Department of Natural Resources Conservation Officer Recruit School #8 share a smile during their graduation ceremony. Twenty-two men and women graduated the academy after 23 weeks of intense training. They now will serve as probationary conservation officers while they undergo field and specialized training before reporting to their assigned counties.
From_the_heart: Recruit Nicholas Wellman speaks on behalf of his classmates during graduation of Michigan Department of Natural Resources Conservation Officer Recruit School #8. Recruit Wellman expressed his classmates’ appreciation to the academy instructors for their patience and professionalism while shaping the recruits into Michigan conservation officers.
New_conservation_officers: The 22 graduates of the Michigan Department of Natural Resources Conservation Officer Recruit School #8 are pictured on the Capitol steps in Lansing. Also pictured are several members of the DNR Law Enforcement Division command staff.
Team_effort: Gov. Rick Snyder and DNR Director Keith Creagh, back row center, visit with recruits, academy instructors and DNR Law Enforcement Division command staff prior to graduation. Gov. Snyder applauded recruits for their accomplishments, and for choosing to become front-line protectors of Michigan’s natural resources./
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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