2014JULAUG

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M AY 2 0 1 4 J U N

The Historian’s Spotlight continued from page 22

Staying On the Yellow Brick Road continued from page 23 reunions, and weddings. Optimizing my health will give me that edge so I do not call out on these family showcases. Do the work when no one is watching. Then we all can celebrate under the lights with our loved ones. I think Nike says it best: “Quit making excuses, putting it off, complaining about it, crying about it, believing you can’t, worrying if you can, waiting until your older, skinnier, richer, braver, or all around better. Suck it up, hold on tight, say a prayer, make a plan & JUST DO IT!” About the Author: E .J. O’Malley is a Health and Fitness Instructor at the FBI Academy, Physical Training Unit. He earned his B.S. from Lock Haven University of Pennsylvania and M.S. from Virginia Commonwealth University. He holds Certification from the Na- tional Strength and Conditioning Association. existent as he remembers, but does recall doing a lot of exercises and running in place in an old basement area! Marty does not remember much about his classes he attended but says “he enjoyed the whole professional atmosphere of the NA” and had never forgotten his positive experience while attending the NA. There was no affiliation with the University of Virginia for the NA students (did not happen until 1975.) After returning home Marty petitioned Arkansas Tech University and was able to receive 12 hours of general credit for his coursework at the NA. This petition was done based on advice given at the Academy to check with your local univer- sity/college to see if credit could be obtained. The favorite class at the time was the range fire conducted down at the Quantico Marine Base. Students spent approximately two weeks down at Quantico and did a great deal of range firing, primarily with .38 Special revolvers. Those interested students could also receive in- struction and certification to become a range officer. The 89th Session met with FBI Director J. Edgar Hoover at a reception held at the Mayflower Hotel in Washington in April of 1972. Marty stated he didn’t think the Director looked well at the time but the Director did seem to be happy to meet and interact with the stu- dents of the 89th. Unfortunately Marty’s observation was correct as J. Edgar Hoover passed away a few weeks later on May 2, 1972. The 89th Session viewed the body in the rotunda at the US Capitol. Congress had ordered the body to lie in state before the funeral. In my last interview with Marty he informed me that he had en- countered many NA graduates throughout the country in places where his Secret Service assignments had taken him. He was able to share many stories and memories with them and the “bond” of the NA was always present. Marty was quite proud of his NA experience although he did not often talk of it unless it came up in a conversation. When Marty landed in Baghdad in late 2005 following the three day (without sleep) journey into Baghdad I was the first person he met. As I stated earlier we became great friends and were a consolation

to each other. One afternoon when we thought our recently obtained stash of beer had been destroyed by mortar fire we were truly miserable together!! (Fortunately the mortar missed but the smoke was close!!) Marty’s work ethic and sense of humor were valued by all with whom he had contact during our DOJ tour for Hussein’s trial. His dedication to ensuring all assignments were done correctly and on time were envied by all. He thought nothing of staying up all night, in line, to get new/correct ID cards for the Iraqi personnel we were assigned to deal with. I am not sure the Iraqis appreciated his work ethic on their behalf but his fellow workers certainly did! Marty Briscoe is like many of the outstanding men and women who have attended the NA and gone on to great professional success in the law enforcement world. I am proud to have had the opportunity to work with him and call him my friend! Marty has been back to the NA Academy at Quantico for training in his last assignment as an Intelli- gence Specialist with the US Attorney’s Office in Arkansas and was quite impressed at the facility. One observation was about the remoteness. He did advise that he certainly enjoyed his stay in DC more and the many things within walking distance for a young member of the mighty 89th Session (not sure what all he was referring to but I can imagine!) Please call or email me if you know of any other noteworthy NA grads in your area. There are many great ones out there and I am privi- leged to be able to meet and write about them! Stay safe out there.

Terry Lucas, National Historian email: tlucasfbinaa@gmail.com cell: 540.810.2721

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