Cadet Class I-12
[Starting Cadets 69 (CTC I-12 Week 18) Remaining Cadets 67]
This week we had the honor of taking part in the CHP memorial as we paid tribute to all CHP personnel who
have fallen in the line of duty. It was a humbling experience to listen to every name of those who have
made the ultimate sacrifice be read aloud. As a group of cadets, we now understand, now more than ever,
the commitment and dedication to the people of California that these heroes exemplified. Their sacrifice
and service will never be forgotten.
Our training continues as we were taught how to execute the PIT technique by the EVOC Staff. We also headed
out to the range for our first night time shooting session, as we learned several tactical flashlight
holding techniques. The rigors of training are not slowing down as we look ahead to scenario testing in
the coming weeks. We continue to stay motivated and dedicated as we press on towards the end of our time
here at the Academy.
(Cadet Brandon Watts CTC I-12)
[Starting Cadets 76 (CTC I-12 Week 17) Remaining Cadets 69]
Training Week Seventeen started off with our scenario based testing for Felony Stop in Enforcement Tactics.
This is just one of many scenarios that will occur in the coming weeks we must pass in order to graduate.
Many of us were eager to start practicing the Domestic Violence scenario which requires us to recall and
bring together the knowledge and skills we've learned in the previous weeks. We also continued to enhance
our skills at Investigative Report Writing in Accident Investigation as well as Advanced PMA Techniques,
DUI, and Spanish.
We finally submitted our dream sheet list choices which have given us an idea of which area office we may
report to in July. While this is motivating, we must continue to work hard and not waiver in the remaining
ten weeks of cadet training. We are excited to have received our Cadet Senior Status from the Staff Office
and will continue to work together, help and motivate one another, and be an excellent example for our junior
class.
(Cadet Michael Aquino, Co. A, CTC I-12)
[Starting Cadets 84 (CTC I-12 Week 15) Remaining Cadets 76]
This week began with the entrance of a new class of cadets on campus. We were all happy to see
new faces, but it also allowed us to see how far we have come since week one. However, we
quickly had to turn our focus to the tasks and test of the week.
Certification on the pistol, shotgun, rifle and O.C. spray were completed this week. The only
one that drew a crowd was the O.C. spray, as many officers came out to watch the cadets get
sprayed in the face. Now we all know the feeling and recovery time of being hit with O.C. Spray
and it was something many of us don't wish to repeat. The week continued on with the introduction
of the felony stop. As always, our weeks have been full of academics, range, and P.T., and we
continue to enhance our skills of a CHP officer.
(Cadet M. Kibler, ID#112063 Co. B, CTC I-12)
[Starting Cadets 91 (CTC I-12 Week 15) Remaining Cadets 84]
Week fifteen has been a busy one! We are excited to see our junior cadet class arrive and we
look forward to setting the example for what the CHP academy represents. Due to the fact our
class did not have seniors, we feel an increased need to help these new cadets adapt to
academy life. It is amazing to us how far we have come in such a short time. We look forward
to our new role as mentors to this junior class. It was not long ago when we had the shocking
experience of pickup day.
As we continue our studies, Spanish class has been an ongoing lesson of the diversity of this
department. The more knowledgeable we are, the better we can serve the people of California.
With scenarios, range and crowd control training we are getting to experience the variety of
roles and responsibilities the Highway Patrol has. The idea of becoming an officer continues
to keep us motivated and eager for more training.
(Cadet B. Draper, ID#112039 Co. A, CTC I-12)
[Starting Cadets 91 (CTC I-12 Week 13) Remaining Cadets 91]
This week we finished certifying on our physical methods of arrest techniques and completed
several written exams in the classroom. Company "B" was permitted to participate in the
fountain ceremony and represented our class proudly.
The Range Staff introduced us to the Remington 870, one of our primary duty weapons. It is
a 12 gauge pump action shotgun used by most law enforcement agencies. The Physical Training
Staff instructed us in arresting and transporting combative subjects.
All in all, CTC I-12 is picking up momentum in all aspects of cadet life, eyes ever forward
with resolve quickening every step.
(Cadet Clissold, ID#112026 Co. A, CTC I-12)
[Starting Cadets 103 (CTC I-12 Week 11) Remaining Cadets 98]
Spring has come to the academy and with the blossoms a burgeoning sense of responsibility.
Week 11 greeted us with a roar as we received a tour of the range and fired our duty weapons
for the first time. We now carry some of our most vital equipment: a sidearm and body armor.
Our futures have become a literal weight upon our shoulders. We were introduced to the
enforcement tactics unit, the last instructors to welcome us to the academy. Between their
greeting and our new gear, our eyes are now open to the realities of our chosen life's work.
Between all of our coursework and learning the final felony handcuffing techniques, the pace
has quickened considerably, and we have all been pushed to greatly improve our time management
skills. We are continuing to adapt to night classes, and beginning to appreciate the bigger
picture as well, fitting pieces of the basics together. Our vehicle code classes form a strong
foundation for accident investigation, and we can understand the laws of arrest, thanks to the
penal codes we have learned thus far.
All in all, CTC I-12 is picking up momentum in all aspects of cadet life, eyes ever forward
with resolve quickening every step.
(Cadet B. Berona, ID#112013 Co. A, CTC I-12)
[Starting Cadets 105 (CTC I-12 Week 10) Remaining Cadets 101]
As we continue to progress through the rigors of Academy life, we are being introduced to
new skills which also bring about new challenges. These challenges become more intense as
CTC I-12 moves on from phase one of training (learning the basics), to phase two (scenario
based training). This week, we moved forward with misdemeanor search techniques, driving
on the skid pan, performance driving and DUI investigations.
Week 10 will also be remembered as the week in which we were issued our duty weapons.
This has helped to remind us of the immeasurable responsibility that comes with our chosen
career path. We have encountered many difficult obstacles during our journey to become CHP
officers, but we continue to adapt and are able to overcome each hurdle. Team work,
dedication, time management and professionalism are some of the elements needed for success
at the Academy, but none are more important, or more relevant to this job than integrity.
We will continue to stay focused, committed and motivated and we move closer to our goal, graduation!
(Cadet Rogelio Sanchez, ID#112111 Co. B, CTC I-12)
[Starting Cadets 109 (CTC I-12 Week 9) Remaining Cadets 105]
As we near the end of Week 9, our ultimate goal of graduation continues to remain in sight.
Our mornings are filled with the sound of cadets singing cadence or the chants of reps as we
push ourselves through PT. The Staff Officers are keeping their expectations of us high and
we are doing our best to rise to the challenge. We stay motivated because we know how short
our time could be here. The harder we work, the more we study, the better prepared we will
be for the next day. None of us here has any reason not to give this opportunity everything
we have.
Our courses of instruction are beginning to shift from basic knowledge to hands on officer
training. DUI class is helping us understand how to conduct Field Sobriety Tests. Accident
Investigation and Report Writing is teaching us how to survive and respond to what we will
see on the job. The Arrest and Search Techniques we are learning in PMA will assist us in
staying alive on the highway. There is a lot of information and work still to do. But our
optimism and resolve will never cease.
(Cadet Benjamin N. Draper, ID#112039 Co. A, CTC I-12)
(CTC I-12 Week 8)
[Starting Cadets 110 (CTC I-12 Week 8) Remaining Cadets 109]
This week has been spent learning several new skills essential to the job of an officer. We
have been introduced to standardized field sobriety tests, the process of writing citations,
and techniques for arrest and handcuffing. We continue our education in DUI enforcement and
have begun instruction in collision investigation, both of which are hallmarks of the
California Highway Patrol.
Even though the challenges are ever increasing, we continue to meet them and grow as a team.
Our focus is on the goal of reaching graduation and earning a place in the finest law
enforcement agency in the state. As we look ahead, the cadets of CTC-12 remain determined to
accomplish each task with pride and professionalism.
(CTC I-12 Week 7)
[Starting Cadets 111 (CTC I-12 Week 6) Remaining Cadets 110]
This week marks number seven for cadet class CTC I-12. This has been a very busy week for everyone,
whether it has been classroom tests, baton certification or vehicle operations. Cadets continue to
put forth a tremendous amount of effort each week to make it to the next one. Sadly, some have been
let go during this process. The amazing thing is that our class continues on, striving for our prize
that awaits us at the end of this 27 week journey.
This week everyone certified for our side handle baton and others were able to start high speed
driving for the first time. With each day and each test, I can see our class growing stronger. Each
cadet continues to help the other in any way they can in reaching the goal of becoming an officer.
The rubber is starting to hit the road for each cadet as we are starting to apply what we have
learned so far.
It is a blessing to be here and learn all that we have thus far. Though the hours are long at the
academy, it is all worthwhile for our future. We look forward to the coming weeks ahead of us as
our goal starts to become more visible, leaving graduation day in our grasp.
(CTC I-12 Week 6)
[Starting Cadets 114 (CTC I-12 Week 6) Remaining Cadets 111]
The Academy was met with anxious cadets who were all eager to find out which company would be named
the winner of the Fountain Ceremony. Week 6 brought that information to light with Company A being
named the winners. Company A had the privilege of performing the ceremony for the first time on
Wednesday. It was a proud moment to witness CTC I-12 perform this ceremony to honor those who have
fallen in the line of duty. This week has also pushed our time management skills to the maximum as
we prepared for and took 4 different tests. The academy is teaching us how to handle the pressure
of a heavy workload and succeed as we work our way through the dynamics of the academy. Just as we
finish the complexities of the Vehicle Code, we jump right into the dynamics of DUI.
There are no breaks here but we are learning how to help each other out to do our best to make it to
graduation together. This week has also brought some hardships as more cadets are struggling with
EVOC and some are getting banged up in PMA. This is only making us stronger as we continue to pick
each other up and appreciate the time we have here. Very few academies in the world can offer the
training and skills that we are acquiring here. CTC I-12 has worked hard to get to this point and
will only continue to work harder as we move closer to graduation.
(CTC I-12 Week 3)
[Starting Cadets 119 (CTC I-12 Week 5) Remaining Cadets 114]
The Sacramento rain has dampened the academy grounds but not our spirits. Week five finds CTC I-12
looking forward with determination and anticipation. Events and training are conspiring to bring
us closer as a class, and one can almost begin to see the proud group will cross the stage at
graduation, united in purpose and in heart. We have had our first separation due to EVOC, an event
which truly struck home the gravity of our studies here. We have also begun cadence runs in PT,
teaching us unison both in step and voice.
We are slowly but surely progressing in our techniques with the side handle baton and our classroom
knowledge. With the guidance of the academy instructors we are beginning to learn the balance
between enforcement of laws and the education of the public. We realize that an understanding of
this balance is vital to our future roles as caretakers of our communities.
We have advanced enough in our marching techniques that the two companies were allowed to compete
for the privilege of performing the prestigious fountain ceremony. As we wait for the results of
the competition we move forward towards our goal. CTC-12 waited a long time just to arrive at the
academy, and that perseverance is turning into a fighting spirit that will lift us up and carry us
through the mounting challenges that are ahead.
(CTC I-12 Week 2)
[Starting Cadets 123 (CTC I-12 Week 2) Remaining Cadets 122]
With almost one month checked off the infamous countdown, the cadets of CTC I-12 continue to work
hard as we pull together to overcome the daily challenges presented at the academy. Teamwork has
definitely been highlighted as an important theme in pursuing this career. Our class is beginning
to look like a unit as we progress in Drill, PT, PMA, and Academics. We motivate each other
everyday as the workload becomes a heavier burden. Our class was introduced to both the Range
and EVOC this week. It was exciting and emotionally encouraging as we learned how to perform the
fountain ceremony during Drill. Also, PMA has started to grab the cadet’s attention as we were
introduced to the techniques of personal weapons and the side handle baton.
The cadets are starting to be held at a higher standard when it comes to knowledge on the brevity
codes, vehicles code, PMA techniques, and overall academics. Everything is built on a foundation
that calls for attention to detail. We are expected to complete each task with a purpose, whether
it is taking a test, marching in drill, or even walking to chow. As we continue on with our journey
as cadets, we will continue to stay strong and motivated, and will take pride in everything we do.
This is not a sprint, but a marathon with many sacrifices to be made until we earn the badge of
knowledge, character, integrity, judgment, loyalty, courtesy, and honor. Hoorah!
(CTC I-12 Week 1)
[Starting Cadets 123: Remaining Cadets 122]
Since arriving at the Academy on January 9th, the cadets of CTC I-12 have been hard at work and
are dedicated to embracing CHP pride. We have begun academic instruction in a variety of subjects
including criminal justice, traffic enforcement, cultural diversity and community policing. We
also focus daily on the disciplines of military drill, high attention to detail and lifetime
physical fitness. The Cadets have also been focusing heavily on teamwork and striving to achieve
success together.
We have already learned so much and continue to strive for improvement each day. The Staff
Officers and course instructors are highly professional and committed to helping us succeed.
This is only the beginning; however, we know that with the support of our families, Academy
staff and fellow cadets, we will meet the challenges ahead.
(Cadet Brandon Watts, CTC I-12, Co. B)
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