Resources to prep for the academy?

[ssteve]

I have until april to prep on my own for the academy, and after reading as much as I can, I am convinced I need to work on report writing, as well as several other things academically. So I would like to see if anyone here could pass on some resources for me to get started?

[Galli1565]

Get insanity dvd's. do push-ups and burpees 3-4 times a week until the academy. Start running. Everything else will come into place with time in the academy

[Ron-Solo]

Push yourself hard on physical training. The better shape you are in the better off you will be. If you struggle in PT, the Drill Instructors will ride you even harder. If you are excelling, they will focus on one less fortunate than you. You don't want extra attention in that area.

If you don't already know how, learn to spit shine shoes. We weren't allowed patent leather anything

Sharpen your basic writing skills, spelling, and grammar. If your local community college has a condensed winter session, take a basic English course covering grammar and sentence structure.

We had to print everything. Practice your handwriting. Neatness counts.

Find out what kind of footwear the academy authorizes and get your shoes broken in before you start. Some, like LASD, do not allow you to wear boots during the academy except under special circumstances. Also make sure you break in your PT shoes.

[Falconis]

also, try reading some books before bed. it does help with grammer.

[Rockit]

Run/

[operator13]

also, try reading some books before bed. it does help with grammer.

Does it help with spelling?

[Rockit]

Does it help with spelling?

It may some. If you're a poor speller you're gong to have some difficulties.
When I went through, for every word spelled wrong, you had to write it 50 times. I spent at least an hour a day writing words.

It REALLY sucks when you then spell all 50 wrong. I did that ONCE

[DriftinG Z32]

I suggest the following:

-Find a local tutor to help you with spelling, grammar and any other academic deficiencies you may have.

-Either buy or make your own PC flashcards and study them now. They'll come in handy, trust me.

-Prepare your body for PT now. Running (work up to 2 miles minium) and calisthenics (push-ups, sit-ups, and pull-ups) are a must.

-As someone mentioned earlier, learn how to shine boots. Make sure the boots you're going to use are broken in prior to your start date.

[ssteve]

Thanks for all the insight everyone. I'm not overly concerned with the pt. I've dropped from 296lbs to 220lbs over the last few years. Pull-ups will be one of my major focuses since I can only do a few as of now, but thankfully I have several months. I'm more concerned with the academics. Report writing, pc memorizing etc.

I currently have a 2011 pc but am not sure of how to start studying it. Prioritizing what will be needed to be committed to memory, or how they will test on it. I would love to start making flash cards if someone can point me in the right direction of what pc's should be on the cards.

Would this be a good start? http://www.flashcardmachine.com/capenal-code.html
Any others you would recommend committing to memory?

[Falconis]

Does it help with spelling?

this is what happens when you have relied on spell check for way too long. yeah yeah, I just caught it.

[mixicus]

Do you mind letting us know which academy? It may help generate more specific advice.

[ssteve]

Santa Rosa jc's academy.

[skyscraper]

Steve, I'm prepping for an academy in January. I'm getting some info together from a friend who just went through. I'll send you a pm with the info when I get it.

[4x1911]

Check out http://www.lawtechpublishing.com/index.asp. They have a lot of valuable resources which can help you prepare for the academy.

[mixicus]

See if you can pick the brain of a recent grad from your academy. That will likely give you the most current info.

If you are weak in writing, take an inter-session English class and read some more.

If the college offers it, take their academy prep class. It'll jump start you on procedures/protocols.

If there is a recruit orientation manual, get it and start studying. Doesn't make sense to study "10 codes" if your area/department uses plain language.

Get your gear sooner rather than later. One less thing to worry about.

You can probably find flash cards for the common penal codes at the local uniform store. You do not learn the entire penal/vehicle/H&S code, only the common sections.

PT...OK, the actual POST required PT tests aren't bad at all. Same typically goes for the department or academy test. That's assuming you are not a slug or re-habing some injury. BUT the regularly scheduled discipline throughout the day is what tears most recruits up. At a local academy, it is normal to bang out 400-600/ea push-ups, squat thrusts and mountain climbers through the day, every day before getting to PT. Then you get hammered with PT. If you need help running, check out the cool running website. Pick a 5K training program appropriate to your experience/current mileage. Hit day 1 of the academy being able to run 3 miles at a 9min/mi pace and you are likely on track. For the rest; P90X, Insanity, Crossfit and/or the navy SEAL prep program are all reasonable paths. A good boxing or muay thai place that does conditioning wouldn't be bad either. Your conditioning program should be high rep, body weight centered not power lift/body building weight room routines.