The Federal Law Enforcement Training Accreditation (FLETA) Board ispleased to announce it granted reaccreditation status to the FederalAir Marshal Service’s Federal Air Marshal Training Program I (FAMTP-I)at the July 12, 2012 meeting in Glynco, Georgia. Michael Novak, TSAAssistant Administrator Training and Workforce Engagement, thanked theBoard and thanked the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center, notingthey are a great partner with TSA on this program. Mr. Novak alsothanked Jason Worchel, TSA/FAMS Branch Chief, Academic Process, andJoseph D’Angelillio, Special Agent in Charge, for their hard work; andTom Kost, Deputy Assistant Director for Training, recognizing hiscommitment to the process with the other programs he will put forwardin the future.
Within months of the 9/11 attacks, Congress enacted the Aviation andTransportation Security Act (ATSA), which led to the creation of theTransportation Security Administration (TSA) and the transfer of theFederal Air Marshal Service (FAMS) to the new TSA. Shortly thereafter asignificant number of new Air Marshals were hired and trained. Requiredto fly not only international missions, but domestic missions as well,FAMS were granted new statutory authority and were provided training atthe FLETC (first at Glynco, GA, and now Artesia, NM), and the expandedtraining facilities of the Federal Air Marshal Service Training Center(FAMSTC) on the grounds of the FAA William J. Hughes Technical Centerin southern New Jersey. Successful completion of FAMTP-I is mandatoryfor potential Air Marshals to move to FAMTP-II where they receive morerigorous agency-specific training.
To achieve accreditation, agencies submit to an independent reviewof their academy and/or program to ensure compliance with the FLETAStandards and Procedures in the areas of: Program Administration,Training Staff, Training Development, and Training Delivery, with anadditional 20 standards for Academies. Accreditation is a cyclicalprocess occurring every three years. Each year, agencies must submitannual reports in preparation for reaccreditation, which is a new andindependent review of the academy/program.