United States Drug Enforcement Administration

The Domestic Training Section (TRD) oversees the Basic Agent Training Program and is designed to produce competent Special Agents capable of executing DEA’s mission. This program consists of entry-level training courses in the following training units: Academic Operations, Practical, Firearms, and Tactical.

Qualified instructors teach the BATs the necessary skill sets used to conduct criminal investigations. The BATs learn to identify and investigate a Drug Trafficking Organization (DTO), execute arrests and warrants on members of that organization, seize and process evidence, and ultimately prosecute members of the DTO.

TRD also oversees the certification of all DEA firearms, tactical and defensive tactics instructors.

Physical Training Standards

The Criminal Training Section (TRC) oversees the Diversion Investigator Training Program, Intelligence Research Specialist Training Program, and the Personal Recovery Training Program.

Basic Diversion Training is a 12-week program that familiarizes trainees with the pharmaceutical and chemistry industry, and provides students the skills to conduct effective investigations.

Basic Intelligence Research Specialist Training is a 10-week program that provides intensive training and development of analytical skills necessary to support DEA drug investigations.

The Personal Recovery Training Program is designed for DEA personnel assigned overseas and focuses on situational awareness, risk management, and survival skills.

The Specialized Training Unit - responsible for planning, developing, managing, and coordinating all advanced, specialized, leadership, and professional career development programs within DEA, as well as DEA-administered state and local programs.

The Clandestine Laboratory Training Unit - responsible for training DEA as well as state & local law enforcement personnel to identify high hazardous environments and to safely enter, render safe, process, and dismantle them.

The Learning Technologies Unit - provides technology instruction to core classes, production of audio video operations, development and administration of eLearning modules, and network administration.

The DEA International Training Section (TRI) has been conducting international counter narcotics training since 1969. TRI is recognized as the world pioneer in international training and serves as the model for a variety of international law enforcement training efforts. DEA's role has grown to include that of international consultant to law enforcement agencies and foreign governments seeking to develop high quality narcotics law enforcement programs, organizational infrastructures, and judicial reforms. 

TRI offers domestic, in-country, and regional training programs for foreign governments; international agencies; the International Law Enforcement Academies (ILEA); and the Sensitive Investigative Unit (SIU) Program, currently represented in 15 countries.  Regional training courses are designed to combine participants from several countries sharing common drug trafficking issues, smuggling routes and/or interrelated investigations. Regional courses are beneficial in fostering improved professional relationships among the participants in addition to covering topics uniquely tailored to the region’s needs.  Advance pre-school planning and assessment is conducted by training team members to design each school around the specific requirements of the receiving country/countries. 

Additionally, TRI is in partnership with the International Criminal Investigative Training Assistance Program (ICITAP).  As a component of DOJ,  ICITAP’s mission is to strengthen national security by advancing U.S. law enforcement operations abroad, to include those of DEA.  Since its creation in 1986, ICITAP has operated in 107 countries and has become an internationally recognized leader in law enforcement development and training worldwide, and are recognized and respected partners in the international community.  Through DEA's partnership with ICITAP, training, mentoring, and capacity building is provided to DEA's foreign office counterparts. 

The Policy and Learning Development Section (TRP) ensures the Training Academy complies with the Federal Law Enforcement Training Accreditation Standards (FLETA). TRP ensures all courses are developed following sound instructional system design processes, manages lesson plan development, trainee survey programs, curriculum review, and instructor training.

The Legal Instruction Section (CCT) is responsible for coordinating and providing legal instruction for all law enforcement training conducted at the Training Academy.

CCT attorneys also conduct Moot Court exercises in all DEA core series employee basic training programs. Legal materials produced by CCT attorneys are valued references for law enforcement personnel and prosecutors around the world.

The Forensic Sciences Instruction Section (SFT) provides training in the areas of drug chemistry, latent print, digital evidence, and drug evidence submission, storage, and destruction. The Basic Forensic Chemist Course (BFCC) is an 18-week intensive course which provides newly hired forensic chemists with the technical training necessary to conduct drug evidence analysis. The BFCC combines hands-on training in the laboratory with academic instruction in the classroom. This course provides students with experience in the analysis of unknown powders, liquids, tablets, and plant materials using the most advanced physical, chemical, and instrumental techniques available.  These practical experiences are augmented with academic instruction in drug design, instrumental theory, statistics, ethics, chain-of-custody, case file preparation, laboratory operations, and court testimony.

The Academy Operations Section (TRA) provides a full spectrum of domestic and international support services for staff and students in three primary areas.  In addition, this Section handles all human resource matters and the Academy schedule.

Security and Facilities Management - Security, Facility Maintenance & Buildings Management, Custodial, Food Service, and Environmental Management. These operational functions ensure the Academy and off-site venues can support 250 full-time live in students and another 150 daily students at any given time. These responsibilities also include managing all venues and dormitory schedules.

Financial Management - Congressional inquiry responses, Financial Management and Budget Development, External Training and Procurement.  The financial responsibilities of this Unit ensure our classes are projected, funded, and executed timely and within agency regulations.  In addition, this Unit ensures all class and Academy materials, equipment, and supplies are procured in accordance with the TR mission.

Logistics and Acquisitions Management - Management of Property, Inventory, Fleet, Reproductions, Mail Services, and Warehouse Operations. The support functions in this Unit manage the repair, maintenance, procurement, and disposition of 170+ vehicles, execute transportation needs for all staff and students, manage and distribute uniforms, literature, and equipment, as well as daily operational tasks to support the TR mission domestically and internationally.