More than a dozen high school students from across the state are learning firsthand this week what it takes to become an FBI agent.
"Fire in the hole!" said Kaylee Schwanke, one of the 17 students participating, before detonating a bomb at the FBI headquarters in Charlotte.
Wednesday's bomb demonstration was part of the first ever FBI Teen Acacdemy. Special agents are giving the group an in-depth look into the bureau, explaining the tools they use, gear they wear, and training they go through.
Schwanke is taking away a much bigger lesson, though.
"It seems like a really difficult job," the 15-year-old said. "You have so much pressure on you. As a law enforcement agent you have to respond correctly every time, and you're under such scrutiny."
Schwanke knows it's a tense time for law enforcement officers in the country, but she says they're people too.
"We're just like everybody else," said FBI Special Agent Bomb Tech Gregory Garey. "We got kids at home and a wife who says come home in one piece."
Special Agent Garey hopes this program gets teens interested in law enforcement.
"I know it's cliche, but if I just reach that one - maybe he or she will be an FBI agent," he said. "The more good people we can get on our side, the better we are. So hopefully that happens."
Garey can count on at least one of the 17 teens, who has his heart set on becoming an FBI agent.
"No matter how many cops I see die, it's not going to deter me," said Keshon Jones, a 17 year old from Wilmington. "At the end of the day, I'm still going after that job."
And he's getting closer to his goal through this academy.
The week-long program ends on Friday.