NORFOLK, Va. - The FBI Norfolk Division is now accepting applications for this summer’s weeklong Future Agents in Training program.
Right now, everything is up in the air because of coronavirus but organizers are planning the future agents in training program as scheduled.
The Community Outreach Specialist with FBI Norfolk, Vanessa Torres, said that, “We don’t anticipate any issues with this program as it’s in July, so hopefully by then, everything will be over and we can continue with the program. We’ll take precautions as they come.”
The program is open to high school students ages 16 to 18 who live in Hampton Roads or the Eastern Shore and may be thinking about pursuing a career in the FBI, law enforcement, the law, or other public service.
Interested students must complete and submit the application to vbtorres@fbi.gov by March 21, 2020. Students will be notified of the selections in May.
Acceptance into the FAIT program is competitive. A limited number of spaces are offered to young leaders from across Hampton Roads and the Eastern Shore. The goal of the program is to help students learn about careers in public service. While some of the students may eventually find a future in law enforcement, the program focuses on exposing participants to the wide variety of options before them. Students will not only have the chance to interact with and learn from FBI employees, but they will meet and hear from our local and state police partners, public attorneys, and other community leaders, too.
"My experience in the Future Agents in Training program was a great one,” said Isabel, now a high school junior from Newport News. “I was able to experience and learn so much about the FBI’s role in our nation’s government. I did not realize the different types of career paths I could pursue.”
Throughout the week, officials say the students will take part in hands-on activities and demonstrations with FBI specialty teams such as the Evidence Response Team, SWAT, and FBI bomb techs, as well as with local teams like K-9 and marine patrol. Federal and state prosecutors will provide insight into the court process, and experts in counterintelligence, civil rights, violent crime, and white-collar investigations will engage the participants in discussions and case studies.
One of the highlights of the week is when participants have an opportunity to work with FBI fitness instructors to learn how to train for FBI’s Physical Fitness Test and then take on the test themselves. Last year, six students passed, demonstrating they are already on the right track for a future career as an agent.
This year, FBI Norfolk is partnering with the Hampton Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office. Each daily session will be held from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. in a different location, including the FBI field office in Chesapeake and venues in Hampton. The program is free to participants due to the support of the Norfolk FBI Citizen’s Academy Alumni Association, which is a separate 501(c)(3) non-profit organization made up of graduates of the FBI’s Citizens Academy.
