As the title says I'll be starting my academy next month and I'm looking for any tips or advice you have to offer to make my life easier. Also, I have some tattoos on my arms that will need to be covered, so if anyone has a recommendation for a flesh-colored arm sleeve I'm all ears.

Go be a Firefighter or Fed.

Too late for that. It is a state department, not sure if that'll make a difference though.

Never too late.

I would say shoot for class leader. I think it makes it a little more interesting and gives you a talking point to stand out a bit during interviews and what not. Of course it helps a lot if you're prior service, since you will be expected to help teach people formations/movements, form people up for PT, stretches/warm-ups, etc.

Other than that, my advice would be the same for anything else of a similar nature. Pay attention, take notes, don't drag ass, be respectful, and keep your nose clean. Oh, and don't stay up drinking so late that when you come to class the next morning you're so visibly intoxicated that you get dropped from the academy (and investigated for potential DUI having driven yourself there)... not that that happens.

Congratulations, study the shit out of CRS and always do your best. Don't let your self get dragged down by the class slackers.

I graduate next week as my classes valedictorian.

Thanks, everyone. Definitely going to be striving to be the top cadet.