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M AY 2 0 1 4 J U N
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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
The Historian’s Spotlightcontinued from page 22
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:
cell: 540.810.2721