(Washington, D.C.) Today, the U.S. Secret Service is proud to announce the graduation of the 20th Mixed Basic Training Class (MBTC 20) after completion of a 9-week intensive course at the Service’s own James J. Rowley Training Center (RTC). The class was assembled to meet current needs of the Service across an array of responsibility areas. The innovative course curriculum and training was made possible by the Secret Service’s professional instructor cadre at RTC.
The class was comprised of personnel slated to perform diverse critical mission duties in the Office of Protective Operations, Technical Development & Mission Support, Strategic Intelligence & Information, and the Office of Investigations.
"Mixed Basic Training Course 20 is a unique class with exceptional backgrounds whose training development represents a turning point for the Secret Service. Never before has such a diverse group of law enforcement job series personnel been assembled to train as a single group," said Cynthia R. Wofford, Assistant Director of the Office of Training.
The backgrounds of the students were as diverse as the positions to be filled, including personnel from all branches of the U.S. Military; former local law enforcement officers; former and retired personnel from the Secret Service; and other federal law enforcement personnel returning to serve the nation with Secret Service.
The course was designed to meet a wide-ranging and complex set of training requirements across the different position classifications. Course designers identified optimal goals where each member of the class would receive position specific skills related to their position of hire, in addition to those of their classmates with different job classifications. The theory that each basic student could learn from different Secret Service training programs regardless of its specific relation to their job series proved hugely successful.
The group of professional former military and law enforcement personnel will fill positions as Secret Service Special Officers and Physical Security Specialists. Some of the class members who previously retired from federal law enforcement positions (rehired annuitants), will fill dedicated protective and investigative positions within the agency. Today’s graduation marks the first time the Secret Service has assigned rehired annuitants to law enforcement positions within the agency.
MBTC 20 overwhelmingly embraced their training goals; they blended experiences gained from their prior walks of life; and they successfully gelled as a Secret Service training class.
"You are joining, and in some cases rejoining, an elite federal law enforcement organization that is renowned worldwide for its professionalism, unique mission, and uncompromising excellence," said George D. Mulligan, Chief Operating Officer, during his remarks at the graduation ceremony.