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Born from a push to professionalize policing, the FBI National Academy has evolved into a 10-week residential program where law enforcement leaders sharpen their fitness, academics and communication while building a global network. On this episode of Policing Matters, host Jim Dudley and two recent FBI NA graduates explore what the experience looks like today, from class selection and study habits to weekend field trips and the capstone Yellow Brick Road run.
Hamilton Township, Ohio Chief Scott Hughes and retired California Chief Tricia Seyler reflect on their NA journeys, the mentors who nudged them to apply and the discipline it takes to thrive once you arrive. They discuss practical prep, why leaving your office behind is essential, how to make the most of the networking culture and what they brought back to their agencies.
Tune in to discover
- What really happens when police leaders trade their badges for backpacks at Quantico.
- How 10 weeks away from home can reset a chief’s purpose — and perspective.
- The secret to surviving the coursework, the workouts and the Yellow Brick Road.
- Why the friendships made at the FBI National Academy outlast every promotion.
- How two chiefs turned their Quantico lessons into leadership that lasts.
Key takeaways from this episode
- Balancing the three pillars: Graduates agree the National Academy experience only works when you commit to all three pillars — academics, fitness and networking — instead of treating one as optional. Each element reinforces the others to create stronger, more self-aware leaders.
- Preparing with purpose: Functional training and smart planning pay off. Those who worked on sprinting, lifting and agility before arriving found the physical demands manageable and were better equipped for the Yellow Brick Road.
- Choosing courses that count: Selecting classes that align with your agency’s needs and your personal leadership goals makes the experience far more valuable. It’s about applying what you learn directly back home.
- Crossing the finish line together: The Yellow Brick Road is more than an obstacle course — it’s a shared test of endurance and teamwork. The experience of helping classmates across the line strengthens empathy for the physical and emotional challenges officers face daily.
- Carrying the connection forward: The FBI National Academy’s network endures long after graduation. Staying active in alumni groups, conferences and local FBI partnerships extends the learning and leadership benefits well beyond Quantico.
About our sponsor
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Additional FBI National Academy resources
- Inside the FBI National Academy: 10 weeks that changed my leadership forever
- What I learned from attending the FBI National Academy
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