It all began on June 21, 2002, when the first national U.S. Customs Explorer Academy (USCEA) opened for business. Explorers from Alabama, California, Florida, Illinois, Kentucky, Montana, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, Tennessee, and Texas gathered at the Great Lakes Naval Station and Training Center in Illinois for an intense, challenging, and most of all rewarding 10-day learning experience.

"The idea behind USCEA is to challenge and prepare America's finest youth for a career in law enforcement," says Supervisory Inspector Anye Whyte.

Each morning began bright and early at 5:00 a.m. with intense physical training (PT). "USCEA definitely challenged me in many ways, both mentally and physically," says Senior Explorer Wasim Musa, Chicago. After PT, explorers followed a rigorous schedule of academic and practical training in various areas of law enforcement. The explorer's day ended at 10:00 p.m. "Without a doubt the training was vigorous and difficult. The committee decided to make the courses tough, to show the explorers that life as a law enforcement officer is not simple. It is unique and demanding, day after day," says Senior Inspector Nopadol Thongpreda, Chicago.

Another part of the training curriculum of the USCEA included a community service event, a hands-on tour of the Port of Chicago, and a visit to the City of Chicago's International Taste Fair.

Not only did the U.S. Customs Explorer Academy provide unparalleled training, it also created a unique bond among young people who came from all across the country. When asked what she enjoyed most about USCEA, Explorer Kimberly Wolski, Buffalo, N.Y., says, "The friendships I made at this academy will last me a lifetime. Not only did I learn how to handcuff and secure suspects, but I discovered how diverse and unique the U.S. Customs Service is."

Explorers interested in learning more about the role Customs plays in the war on drugs, had an opportunity to assist with a "blitz" at Chicago's Foreign Mail Unit (FMU). They were put to work screening letters and packages at the FMU, and some of the explorers had a chance to work with Customs officers who seized steroids, Valium, and several other controlled substances.

Inspector John Landers, Cincinnati, Ohio, commented at the closing ceremony, "America's new Frontline is in the minds and hearts of these academy graduates. The Customs Service has a very bright future because these young adults are the Customs of tomorrow. From what I have seen in the past 10 days, I would be honored to work alongside any one of these explorers."

United States Customs Explorer Academy mission The Customs Explorer Academy mission is to empower young people through positive encouragement; to further drug and violence prevention programs; to develop career values and goals; and to foster cultural awareness and respect through leadership, diversity, structure, and discipline.

Committee members and staff: Supervisory Inspector Anye Whyte, Chicago Inspector Teresa Momber, Chicago Senior Inspector Nopadol Thongpreda, Chicago Import Specialist Jose Venegas, Chicago Forensic Chemist Patricia Veltri Crain, Chicago Inspector Roy Corona, Chicago Senior Inspector Jacquelyn Wells, Newark Inspector Kenneth Mitchem, Newark Inspector John Landers, Cincinnati Import Specialist Wilbert Moy, Chicago Explorer training courses: Arrest and Search, Domestic Violence Bomb Scene Search Drug Interdiction Defensive Tactics Chief Counsel Law Hostage Negotiation Crime Prevention Ethics & Integrity Crime & Drug Prevention First Aid & External Cardiac Care