Veale

Name: Olivia Veale

Guiding Question: would I want to work at a Fusion Center as an intelligence analyst at the state and local level?

(optional) Use this space to list possible activities, tasks, experiences. Remember everything you do should help you answer your Guiding Question.

(Required) This plan is a “best guess” as to what you and your mentor think you will be doing. It is not meant to be a hard and fast schedule for your Exploration. The plan should illustrate how you intend to complete a minimum of 80 hours.


 * = Date ||= Location/Activity ||= Number of Hours ||
 * =5/9 || =Fusion center/learn the ropes || =7 ||
 * =5/13 || =Dover Downs/observe security detail || =8 ||
 * =5/16 || =Fusion Center/observe analyst training session || =7 ||
 * =5/20 || =Fusion Center/learn critical infrastructure and see police boat || =7 ||
 * =5/23 || =Fusion Center ||=  ||
 * =5/24 || =Fusion Center ||=  ||
 * =5/25 || =Fusion Center ||=  ||
 * =5/26 || =Fusion Center/SWAT mission ||=  ||
 * =5/27 || =Fusion Center ||=  ||
 * =5/31 || =Office of the Secretary ||=  ||
 * =6/1 || =Office of the Secretary/meeting with secretary Schiliro ||=  ||
 * =6/2 || =Office of the Secretary ||=  ||
 * =6/3 || =Office of the Secretary ||=  ||
 * =  ||> Total Number of Hours ||=   ||
 * =  ||> Total Number of Hours ||=   ||
 * =  ||> Total Number of Hours ||=   ||
 * =  ||> Total Number of Hours ||=   ||

Journal: journal 1: When I first met with my mentor, Kurt Reuther, we examined my guiding question and plan of action. We edited my guiding question and turned it into: "Would I want to work at a Fusion Center as an intelligence analyst at the state and local level?" This question is much more narrow than my original "would I want to work at the Department of Safety and Homeland Security?" We then discussed my schedule and concluded that I would spend 5/9-5/27 at the Fusion Center and 5/31-6/3 at the Office of the Secretary. Between 5/9 and 5/20 I spent 29 hours at the Fusion Center meeting people and observing different position. So far, my experience has been incredible. My first day at the Fusion Center was basically and introduction day. I met with my mentor and learned what exactly a Fusion Center is. I met with the FBI Liason to the Center, Todd Karpel for two and a half hours getting his side of the Center (the federal side). My second day was the most exciting because I went to Dover Downs Speedway for the NASCAR races because the Fusion Center was involved in the security detail. I got to observe the bomb sweeps with the EOD (Explosives Ordinants Disposal) guys, drive the police gator, and even wear a vest, helmet and fake gun. I spoke with the Sergent of the bomb squad team and learned the Standard Operating Procedure ---> how they do sweeps and what counterterrorist protective measures they go to even before the specators arrive. My third day was spent observing the analysts' training session for a new program called "Analyst's Notebook" that they wil begin using. This was especially interesting for me because it was like a sneak peek into what analysts do. My fourth day I spoke with the man who runs the critical infrastructure unit, which includes the hospitals and bridges in Delaware. I then met with the maritime guy who took me to see the Fusion Center's boat that will be used to collect raw (unanalyzed) intelligence about anything on or related to the water. As of now, I don't have any concerns about my exploration. I am very excited about this opportunity and I look forward to spending the next week and a half learning as much as I can.

6/6/11 Successful POL. Mentor present. Thank you written and delivered in person. R. Bernard