The Office of Training and Development (OTD) hired six former CBP (then-Customs) officers, all of whom had former training or related experience. The first three employees hired were Jim Royal, Jim Seavey, and Bill Thurston on April 22, 2002. Within the month, Rodger Pietsch, Don Dome, and Joe Miranda were hired to assist in the training efforts.

"It is gratifying to be a part of the team here at the Academy, molding the minds and future successes of our new inspectors. Every day brings new challenges and the satisfaction of providing examples for the new people to draw from. We know that by being here, we are helping to form an even stronger and more efficient workforce." - Don Domke, Enforcement Instructor, Office of Training and Development

Friendly Retired Old Guys
The attitude and "esprit" has even led to an acronym for the individuals brought back in these positions - FROGs - which refers to "Friendly Retired Old Guys." The picture this acronym paints - elderly guys rocking away the hours - hardly matches the reality. The truth is none of the FROGs tapped for this new mission ever stopped moving.

At the present time, Jim Royal, Don Domke, and Jim Seavey are working as co-coordinators of Basic Inspector classes. They are responsible for the classroom instruction and coordination of the students assigned to their classes. Rodger Pietsch and Joe Miranda are working as lead instructors in Automated Commercial System or ACS, and Treasury Enforcement Communication System or TECS, classes with responsibility for teaching the primary automated systems associated with field operations. All FROGs participate in practical exercises as required. Despite his positive attitude and efforts, Bill Thurston voluntarily left his position due to medical problems.

Virtually everyday is new and, for the most part, a pleasant challenge. From providing classroom instruction to making arrangements for student transportation, the experience of the past has paid off in the ability to ensure the smooth coordination of classes. A typical day results in resolving student payroll and insurance problems, classroom instruction, and occasional assistance in facilitating resolution of personal problems. Along with the tremendous satisfaction of assisting students in achieving their goal of graduation is the great feeling that their years of experience on the job are being put to good use to help others learn the profession.

"It's been a privilege to be part of the 9/11 response in a meaningful way. Working with new inspectors, developing their enforcement information systems and other Customs officer skills, making them more effective on their frontline jobs, has been an enjoyable and fulfilling opportunity." - Joe Miranda, Enforcement Instructor, Office of Training and Development

Can-do it
They all have "can-do" attitudes, trying in every way to assist the full-time staff and filling in quite capably when an instructor was needed. One reason for their enthusiasm is the challenging nature of the work. As one FROG noted, "The opportunity to participate in the development of new inspectors is the primary motivation for doing the best possible job. When you see a trainee in class you realize that, from the beginning, your sole function is to prepare that individual to protect our borders. When you see that same individual at graduation you realize that the future successes or failures of that person are an extension of your successes and failures as an instructor."

"I think these are very interesting times to be associated with the U. S. Customs Service and its evolution into its new form under the Department of Homeland Security. I count it as a special privilege to be able help in the training part of that goal." - Rodger Pietsch, Enforcement Instructor, Office of Training and Development

With trainees' increasing workload of trainees, it would appear that some FROGs might not be a bad thing to have around. The success of the program has prompted CBP to recruit two more retirees.