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Husband Roy just returned from presenting a couple of seminars at the annual Brownells Gunsmith and Career Fair. Each year Brownells offers a venue for vendors, dealers, working gunsmiths and, more importantly, young students attending gunsmithing schools to meet and network. One of the key points of the fair is to introduce young, emerging gunsmiths to potential employers (from mom-and-pop shops to big guys like Bass Pro Shops, Browning, etc.) who are looking for gunsmiths.

Roy was truly impressed by the passion and enthusiasm of the young people there. Most were focused, eager to interview with vendors, showcase samples of their skills and seemed single-minded to push ahead. He said, “I could tell some of them really had to overcome a hesitancy to reach out to us old guys. It was probably very intimidating to them, but I’d watch them take a deep breath and introduce themselves time and time again. And just as memorable was the outright full-court press by senior attendees to offer a hand to them. Legends in the gunsmithing industry spent hours with eager young faces mentoring, offering tips on how to get hired, how to get along in a shop, what was still to learn and made it clear they were available anytime for questions or advice down the road.”

Roy’s impressions made me remember my own experiences as a brand new cop, filled with excitement and enthusiasm to go out and conquer the world. And I was just like all the other newbies before me —best compared to new puppies — like Amelie, a 4-month old Australian Shepherd and newest member of the Huntington household. Just like cops fresh out of the academy, Amelie is full of piss and vinegar and eager to find her place amongst the veteran dogs of our family. There’s Scout, another Aussie who is almost 18-months old (think: FTO), and Jenna, a 13 year old lab/chow mix who’s much like the grizzled old cop who’s been there, done that, for what seems like an eternity. Watching our dogs in action is a lot like watching new cops find their position in their agency’s machine.

Scout (FTO) and Amelie (Trainee) … just before running around with their hair on fire.

Jenna giving Amelie a break after a hard bout of field training.

Like the sometimes cranky and often aloof seasoned cop, Jenna has a breadth of knowledge — Amelie just has to know the right time to tap into that knowledge. More often than not, Amelie will be acting the fool, running around with her hair on fire and Jenna will gnash her teeth, growl and bark at her to remind her of the proper ways to behave. As new cops we find ourselves on the receiving end of senior officer growls and barks — if we’re lucky — and after being informed of our mistakes, some senior cops (a rare few) take the time and effort to mentor us. Much to my disappointment many don’t, and merely tolerate young guns because they have to, to get along. But as the saying goes: “Old guys (and dogs) know stuff.” The trick is finding the ones who are patient yet firm, and willing to give you the insider’s guide to a successful career path.

Scout is Amelie’s FTO, but I’m not saying that’s necessarily a good thing. While only barely edging her way out of puppidom, Scout’s technically in the right spot to teach Amelie, but it’s a lot like putting a trainee with a 2-year wonder rookie who’s also technically in the right spot to be an FTO — but can they really pull it off well? Scout still has her moments where she runs around with her hair on fire too and needs Jenna to remind her of the boundaries. Mostly though, she knows just enough to show Amelie how to get into trouble.

Sound familiar?

We need to handle the passion and enthusiasm of today’s young cops the same way you manage new growth in a garden. You encourage, fertilize and water — but if it gets out of bounds, you trim it. You want to see it flourish, but you still have to help it stay within the boundaries. What you don’t want to do is ignore it, forget to water it or accidently tromp on it. I promise it will wither and die out, just like the enthusiasm you see in a new cop’s eyes when they get mishandled as young pups. They need mentoring, guiding, cajoling and sometimes a nip in the butt to keep ‘em on track. But be there for them, offer your firm hand and pass on your wisdom.
Just ask Jenna about it.
By Suzi Huntington

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