Fox Reality TV's the Academy: Season 3

1) Recruit Westphal leaving his partner during a live-burn exercise: Captain Smith notes that leaving your partner inside a burning structure is the worst cardinal sin that a fire fighter can commit. It is also a safety violation. Thank heavens that it took place while he was still at the academy. Had it occurred out in the field, things would have turned tragic. Westphal, what were you thinking?

2) Recruit Torres' skin infection scare: Skin infections are nothing to be laid back about, especially when you are in a facility working alongside other recruits. This situation became so serious that Captain Contreras had the recruits decontaminate the academy. From the bathroom to the classroom to the bleachers. They were also instructed to wash their PT Gear and uniform in hot water.

3) Recruit Gonzalez being caught cheating: When you cheat off of another person's paper, you are testing their skills and knowledge. I was surprised that he was still allowed to stay. By the way, does cheating result in automatic removal ?

4) Recruit Stacy showing up without his fire-fighting equipment: He forgot to bring his firefighting equipment with him. And guess who comes to his rescue: his mother. Come on now, you are a young adult man training to be a firefighter. How humiliating would that be, if you were called to a serious emergency, and realized that you are of no use because you don't have your tools with you? I can bet that this would not sound too pleasing for the Fire Captain to hear.

5) Captain Contreras revealing his frustration: That moment was frightening. It looked as if his eyeballs were about to come out of its sockets. However, I completely understood his reason. None of the recruits took heed to his speech on attention to detail. And they were sporting a lackadaisical attitude. How many times can an instructor repeat himself about doing the job right?

6) Recruit Bennett's injury during Physical Training ( PT): His bicep was all red. And it looked as if one of his bones had popped. Not good at all.

7) The recruits taking a nap during their lunch break: They could have been studying or giving aid to those who are struggling with the ladder and/or fire-hose evolutions. Instead, they were caught napping. Captain Gomez was on point. How embarrassing would it be if any city official came to take a tour of the facility, only to find a room full of recruits who are soon to be professional fire-fighters sleeping? Plus, it is not a good representation of the Cadre.

8) Recruit LeFebvre being dismissed first: He may not have a place with the recruits, but he still had one with the Orange County Fire Department as a dispatcher. I'm glad that he was still able to keep his job, but I'm a little sad that I did not get to see him evolve into a firefighter.

9) The number of recruits who failed the Final Exam: How in the world do you fail a final exam? This is now or never. You either sink or swim. A re-take is almost like a second chance of redemption.

10) Recruit Kermott failing the re-take exam: According to Chief Nevarez, a failure to meet the expectations given out by the Orange County Fire Academy results in removal. I felt bad for Recruit Kermott. He failed the first exam as well as the re-take. I saw how bad he wanted to ace the test in order to graduate with his fellow recruits. Sad that it will not happen now.

11) The recruits who had too much fun with the fire-hose: Firefighter Belton was demonstrating how to make a fire line during a wild land fire. This technique is used to keep the fire from spreading onto, for example, areas containing residential homes and businesses. However, it went from practice to playtime. Not only was there no evolution within the crews, but the fire-experienced recruits ruined this learning moment for those who came with no experience.

12) Recruit Stacy caught laughing during the 1st day of business: Imagine the look of pure curiosity on Deputy Miley's face if he or any of the Drill Instructors caught one of the recruits laughing during Black Monday. His veins would have been protruding from his head and neck. Recruit Stacy himself could not believe that he started the learning curriculum off that way. However, he made it and graduated. And he gave his all during training.

13) The recruits being assigned to write an essay on why it is important to pay attention to detail: Captain Contreras was so tired of explaining about this subject that he instructed all the recruits to write an essay. And on top of that, it had to have 1,000 words.

14) The guide-on flag which was left unattended: They left it as soon as they received it. They were already told that people would take the guide-on and hold it for ransom. Spotting the flag placed atop a fire-engine ladder with yellow police tape blocking its entrance was all it took for them to wake up.

15) The refusal to come forward about the recruits who did not properly clean the fire truck: This, according to Captain Contreras, was an act of insubordination. I know that the recruits treated each other like family, but it would have been a relief if those who did not thoroughly clean the fire truck gave themselves away.

16) The recruits' graduation ceremony: Before, I had my doubts. I was not too sure if they were going to make it. But, as soon as they received their badges, my doubts passed through like old dreams. Watching them transform from recruits to firefighters was the evolution that the Cadre members were looking for.

17) Firefighter Eilman proposing to his girlfriend: I wish them nothing more except true love and happiness. And if you have not noticed, most of the Cadre lit with excitement when she said "yes." How sweet.

18) The graduated firefighters showing off their skills: It was a treat when Captain Gomez had the recruits demonstrate what they have learned for the past 18 weeks. And they got to show them to their loved ones who have supported them throughout the program. Congratulations guys!

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