A Brief Overview of the FBI Academy for New Agents

A resident of Altamont, New York, James N. Hendricks holds a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Criminal Justice from Murray State University and served as a Special Agent in Charge for the Federal Bureau of Investigation from 2018 to 2020. In this role, James N. Hendricks held multiple responsibilities, including directing investigative and security operations at seven regional FBI offices and a standalone FBI facility.

All prospective FBI agents invited to participate in training at the Quantico, Virginia-based FBI Academy go through an intense selection process beforehand. Once in the training program, they must prove that they have the education, skills, physical fitness level, and dedication to use law enforcement powers to investigate criminals such as terrorists and spies while upholding the law of the US Constitution.

The FBI Academy consists of over 800 hours of comprehensive training provided over 20 weeks, and is focused in the areas of academics, case exercises, firearms use, and operational skills. Each participant is evaluated by the New Agents Training Unit to ensure they are ready to become an agent. Some participants in the program go on to graduate and become FBI agents, whereas others are removed from the program if they cannot pass the specified mental and physical requirements.