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(WGN-AM)- Counter-Terrorism, Domestic Terrorism, Public Corruption, Crime Scene Investigations, Mortgage Fraud, Mob-related Crime, Intelligence, Drugs and Gangs, Cyber Crime.
It's all in a days work, for the nation's finest: FBI Special Agents (SAs).
As many of you know, WGN News' Andrea Darlas and Judy Pielach just wrapped up a six week course at the FBI's Citizen's Academy. You heard them detail their exploits with WGN's Steve Cochran. Well, here's the full story on what the wanna-be's learned.
You have to be really smart to be a Special Agent. Like most police officers, FBI Special Agents rarely use their guns. They mostly use their brains. This is one reason why Judy and Andrea could never be part of the Bureau. They like firing guns.
During a simulated incident involving the execution of a warrant for a suspected bank robber, Judy shot the intended target dead. One shot to the throat. Unfortunately, he got off a shot, a split second before her. Her partner suffered a shotgun blast to the abdomen. Andrea decided to take no chances when her "situation" came up. Several agents execute a warrant on a trailer. She fired her weapon...fifteen times. She got him good...in the elbow and butt.
Humorous in hindsight, but during those simulations their hearts were pounding. It is never funny when it happens for real. That's why agents train and train and train.
When they're not in the field, Special Agents are in the office, tracking down kidnappers or bank robbers or terrorists or mob hit-men or former Governors.
They use the most sophisticated technology available and they make sure their cases are iron-clad.
Did I mention that you have to be really good looking to be a Special Agent, or quite frankly, to even work for the FBI? In that respect, Andrea and Judy would make good agents. That's a little FBI humor.
And speaking of humor, for those listeners who think SAs are stiff and dull and wear suits to work everyday, you couldn't be more wrong. Except for the suits. They do wear suits, but they are also charming, witty, candid, intelligent and really, really nice. If you ever have an opportunity to take part in the FBI Citizen's Academy, you do not want to miss the opportunity.
The girls graduated from the Academy on June 26th. They spent the day at the FBI Regional Training Center, or "The Range" to those in the know, in North Chicago. They saw a SWAT demonstration, blew stuff up, sat in the FBI Helicopter, took a ride in a Min Resistant Ambush Protection Vehicle, touched everything inside a Hazmat Truck and, of course, shot guns. Specifically, a Glock .45 (which the agents carry) and a semi-automatic rifle. The rifle was a lot easier to shoot, than the Glock, which has a recoil. No matter. One of the bad-assed firearms instructors, SA Brad Fister, made the girls shoot until they got the hang of it. They eventually did and they liked it. A lot.
It was an awesome experience.
A special thanks to all the Special Agents who taught us what it means to say "FBI." Ross Rice, Birdella Braden and Laura Feldman are the cream of the crop.
Next up, Judy and Andrea go to Washington with the FBI in September, where they'll visit Quantico, FBI Headquarters, the Newseum and tour the Capital Building.
Yes, there will be stories. Some likely will never make the air, but stay tuned, you never know.
Get the latest news at the top and bottom of every hour on Chicago's WGN Radio 720.
It's all in a days work, for the nation's finest: FBI Special Agents (SAs).
As many of you know, WGN News' Andrea Darlas and Judy Pielach just wrapped up a six week course at the FBI's Citizen's Academy. You heard them detail their exploits with WGN's Steve Cochran. Well, here's the full story on what the wanna-be's learned.
You have to be really smart to be a Special Agent. Like most police officers, FBI Special Agents rarely use their guns. They mostly use their brains. This is one reason why Judy and Andrea could never be part of the Bureau. They like firing guns.
During a simulated incident involving the execution of a warrant for a suspected bank robber, Judy shot the intended target dead. One shot to the throat. Unfortunately, he got off a shot, a split second before her. Her partner suffered a shotgun blast to the abdomen. Andrea decided to take no chances when her "situation" came up. Several agents execute a warrant on a trailer. She fired her weapon...fifteen times. She got him good...in the elbow and butt.
Humorous in hindsight, but during those simulations their hearts were pounding. It is never funny when it happens for real. That's why agents train and train and train.
When they're not in the field, Special Agents are in the office, tracking down kidnappers or bank robbers or terrorists or mob hit-men or former Governors.
They use the most sophisticated technology available and they make sure their cases are iron-clad.
Did I mention that you have to be really good looking to be a Special Agent, or quite frankly, to even work for the FBI? In that respect, Andrea and Judy would make good agents. That's a little FBI humor.
And speaking of humor, for those listeners who think SAs are stiff and dull and wear suits to work everyday, you couldn't be more wrong. Except for the suits. They do wear suits, but they are also charming, witty, candid, intelligent and really, really nice. If you ever have an opportunity to take part in the FBI Citizen's Academy, you do not want to miss the opportunity.
The girls graduated from the Academy on June 26th. They spent the day at the FBI Regional Training Center, or "The Range" to those in the know, in North Chicago. They saw a SWAT demonstration, blew stuff up, sat in the FBI Helicopter, took a ride in a Min Resistant Ambush Protection Vehicle, touched everything inside a Hazmat Truck and, of course, shot guns. Specifically, a Glock .45 (which the agents carry) and a semi-automatic rifle. The rifle was a lot easier to shoot, than the Glock, which has a recoil. No matter. One of the bad-assed firearms instructors, SA Brad Fister, made the girls shoot until they got the hang of it. They eventually did and they liked it. A lot.
It was an awesome experience.
A special thanks to all the Special Agents who taught us what it means to say "FBI." Ross Rice, Birdella Braden and Laura Feldman are the cream of the crop.
Next up, Judy and Andrea go to Washington with the FBI in September, where they'll visit Quantico, FBI Headquarters, the Newseum and tour the Capital Building.
Yes, there will be stories. Some likely will never make the air, but stay tuned, you never know.
Get the latest news at the top and bottom of every hour on Chicago's WGN Radio 720.
