Photo By Jennifer Scales | (Courtesy Photo) Federal Law Enforcement Training Centers (FLETC) Firearms Instructor,...... read more read more
[The Federal Law Enforcement Training Centers (FLETC) salutes Asian-American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month (AAPIHM) through a series of articles recognizing FLETC staff of Asian and Pacific Island descent. The AAPIHM national campaign theme for May 2021 is "Advancing Leaders Through Purpose-Driven Service." FLETC reflects on the national history which includes generations of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders who helped shape this nation.]
Though his military career has taken him to 32 countries, Andre Quiñon, a firearms instructor, has spent the last 11 years at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Centers (FLETC) in Glynco, Ga., training students in the basics of weapon safety and usage.
Students who are enrolled at the FLETC-Glynco campus for the Criminal Investigator Training Program (CITP), Uniformed Police Training (UPT) Land Management Police Training Program (LMPT), Bureau of Prisons (BOP), or Customs and Border Protection (CBP), to name a few, have more than likely come across Quiñon as he provides them with the fundamentals of safely managing and operating firearms.
“In my job I teach them the evolving weaponry of pistols, rifles and shotguns, which of course comes along with teaching them how to shoot,” Quiñon said.
According to Quiñon, day 1 of instruction is focused on safety. “Some of the students have never been in close contact with a weapon and therefore don’t even know how to pick it up,” Quiñon began. “Therefore, my focus for that day revolves around safety and four measures which consist of treating every weapon real; never point their weapon unless they intend to shoot; fingers on triggers; and knowing their target and what is beyond or surrounding it.”
Quiñon also notes that the training and instructions they receive can be applied not only in their career but also at home.
Though he was born in Newark, New Jersey, Quiñon and his family moved back to Davao City, Philippines while he was young. After completing high school and college on the island, he went to California, where he answered the call of ‘Uncle Sam’ and joined the U.S. Air Force.
During his 23-years tour of duty in the military, Quiñon unknowingly honed his instructor skills while serving as a US Air Force Security Policeman and later as an Office of Special Investigations (OSI) agent.
Residing in the local area Glynn County area, Quiñon enjoys his down time by reading or listening to inspirational podcasts. “I like to hear how individuals have overcome diversity or some sort of trial in their life, and they now share their positive outcome and experience with the world,” Quiñon said.
“Sometimes, you have to fail in order to succeed,” Quiñon continues. “The challenge of life is so different for the young people today compared to when I was younger. But I am constantly evolving, and in doing so, I hope that I am bridging the gap between generations.”
When it comes down to the acknowledgment of his Asian American-Pacific Islander heritage, Quiñon spoke about communications. “Asians are more conservative and quiet, and therefore we need to continue to educate everyone on who we are…what we are…and where we are going, and our history. I think FLETC and the nation is on the path to doing just that by the acknowledgements for my culture every year.”
| Date Taken: | 05.25.2021 |
| Date Posted: | 05.25.2021 09:49 |
| Story ID: | 397319 |
| Location: | GLYNCO, GEORGIA, US |
| Web Views: | 179 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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