Honor Graduates Ceremony

Master of Ceremonies

Ariana M. Roddini, Associate Director for Training Operations
Federal Law Enforcement Training Centers

Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosive Agency Representative

Toby C. Taylor, Special Agent in Charge 
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosive National Academy

Remarks

Benjamine Huffman, Director, Federal Law Enforcement Training Centers

Keynote

Steven M. Dettelback, Director 
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives

Honor Graduate of the Year

Winner wishes to remain anonymous

Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives

Prior to 1970, the quality of training received by Federal law enforcement officers and agents varied greatly from agency to agency. Standardized training was an unexplored concept, and inadequate facilities and duplication of effort were prevalent as each agency independently trained its own personnel.

Studies conducted in the late 1960s revealed an urgent need for high-quality, cost-effective training by a cadre of professional instructors using modern training facilities and standardized course content. Congress responded by authorizing funds for planning and constructing the Consolidated Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (CFLETC). In 1970, the CFLETC was established as a bureau of the Department of the Treasury (Treasury Order #217) and began training operations in temporary facilities in Washington, D.C.

The permanent location of the training center was originally planned for the Washington, D.C., area. However, a three-year construction delay resulted in Congress requesting that surplus Federal installations be surveyed to determine if one could serve as the permanent site. In May 1975, after an extensive review of existing facilities, the former Glynco Naval Air Station near Brunswick, Georgia, was selected. In the summer of 1975, the newly renamed Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC) relocated from Washington, D.C., and began training in September of that year at Glynco. Glynco is the headquarters site and main campus for the FLETC, which has grown over the years to include facilities in Artesia, NM; Charleston, SC; and Cheltenham, MD; and Gabarone, Botswana.

On March 1, 2003, the FLETC formally transferred from the Treasury Department to the newly created Department of Homeland Security, along with some 20 other agencies. The move reflected the centrality of the FLETC’s mission in support of the unified homeland security effort, which was initiated following the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.

During Fiscal Year 2023, FLETC graduated a total of 66,798 law enforcement officers and agents from basic and advanced training programs.

Those eligible for FLETC’s Honor Graduate of the Year Award were 2,843 students that were basic training graduates from eligible programs with a 90% or higher in the three composites: highest academic average, high levels of proficiency in firearms; and surpassing physical fitness. Ten graduates met the 90% or higher criteria in each composite making them eligible for the award.

Special Agent Baggs:
Scores – 95.97 academics, firearms – 99.33 (298/300), and 93.25 physical fitness.

FLETC will continue the tradition of adding the Honor Graduate’s name to the display located in the Coverdell Classroom Building, FLETC-Glynco Training Delivery Point.

Aubrey A. "Tex" Gunnels

April 20, 1918 - September 24, 2011

The Federal Law Enforcement Training Centers Honor Graduate of the Year award memento (a handgun) is made possible through a gift from Aubrey A. “Tex” Gunnels, former Clerk of the United States House of Representatives, Committee on Appropriations, Financial Services and General Government Subcommittee. At Mr. Gunnels’ request, this award is dedicated to the memory of all FLETC graduates who have died in the line of duty. The FLETC is most grateful to the Gunnels Family Trust for continuing Tex’s legacy by providing the funds for the annual award.