| Although hiring is lagging in most organizations, | | | | Dunlop also said that military veterans are strong |
| Customs and Border Patrol Jobs are widely | | | | candidates because "we offer an opportunity to |
| available. The Department of Homeland Security is | | | | protect America, in America. In fact, veterans |
| aggressively ramping up its force of Border Patrol | | | | make up more than 20 percent of the Border |
| agents. | | | | Patrol." |
| Border Patrol Background | | | | While prior law enforcement experience is helpful, |
| The United States Border Patrol is the uniformed | | | | Dunlop said, it is not required because the |
| part CBP, which falls under the Department of | | | | Academy will provide agents with the knowledge |
| Homeland Security (DHS). According to CBP.gov, | | | | and skills they will need to do the job. |
| CBP was founded in 1924. That first year, Border | | | | Dunlop said that Spanish language proficiency is |
| Patrol started operations with 450 officers, and | | | | highly desirable. |
| set to work regulating traffic across the country's | | | | Qualifications for Border Patrol Jobs |
| borders. Most of the patrol's work was focused | | | | The CBP trains students from a variety of |
| on stopping illegal immigration and alien smuggling. | | | | backgrounds, and Dunlop said the agency |
| The terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001 | | | | welcomes those with college degrees, and those |
| changed that mission. Now, Border Patrol's focus | | | | with a military background have proven to be |
| has shifted toward prevention of terrorism | | | | highly successful; approximately 25% of CBP are |
| through working to stop the flow of terrorists | | | | military veterans. |
| and terrorist weapons into the country. Border | | | | A law enforcement background may be helpful |
| Patrol works to secure the 6,000 miles of | | | | but is not required. Dunlop said CBP training |
| international border with Canada and Mexico, and | | | | standards remain at a high level to ensure new |
| the 2,000 miles of coastal waters around Florida | | | | agents are adequately trained to meet the law |
| and Puerto Rico. | | | | enforcement standard. |
| Border Patrol Jobs | | | | Fluency in Spanish or the aptitude to learn Spanish |
| In 2006, President George W. Bush announced his | | | | is necessary. Spanish language immersion is |
| commitment to add 6,000 additional Border Patrol | | | | provided at the Academy for those who need it. |
| agents by the end of 2008. | | | | Agent Training |
| With respect to Border Patrol staffing, Tara | | | | Agents attend a rigorous training academy, |
| Dunlop (CBP Public Affairs Officer) said the | | | | currently located in Artesia, New Mexico, where |
| agency has seen a dramatic increase since the | | | | they learn immigration, nationality and criminal law, |
| President took office in fiscal year 2002. At the | | | | and receive defensive techniques training, firearms |
| end of fiscal year 2001, CBP started with | | | | training, and task-based Spanish language |
| approximately 9,800 Border Patrol agents. Today, | | | | immersion training. All training is conducted at the |
| their numbers are more than 16,690. "Our goal for | | | | Border Patrol Academy in Artesia, New Mexico. |
| the end of 2008 is 18,000 Border Patrol agents | | | | Candidates receive full pay and benefits during |
| on duty ('boots on the ground,') and we are on | | | | training. |
| track to meet that goal," Dunlop said. | | | | The basic training program is further |
| Border Patrol has had to find creative new ways | | | | supplemented by a 12-week National Field Training |
| to recruit. Innovations include national recruiting in | | | | Officer Program, and a minimum of two months |
| non-traditional regions of the country, | | | | on-the-job training with a journeyman-level agent |
| sector-based recruiting, NASCAR sponsorship | | | | during which the interns' performance will be |
| (now in its second year) the Minority Recruitment | | | | evaluated. |
| Strike Team, a Professional Bull Riders sponsorship | | | | Where will I work? |
| and recruiting at U.S. military installations in the | | | | Initial assignments for Border Patrol agents coming |
| continental U.S. and abroad. | | | | out of the Academy will be in Arizona, California, |
| Additionally, a branding campaign has just | | | | New Mexico, and Texas. |
| launched, which includes television ads and an | | | | What's the Downside? |
| updated website that can be found at | | | | One disadvantage to Border Patrol work is that it |
| BorderPatrol.gov. | | | | can be emotionally draining to turn people away |
| Agent Personality Traits | | | | from the U.S. country, particularly when young |
| Dunlop said that the agency's ideal recruit is | | | | children are involved and you realize parents are |
| someone "who prefers working outdoors and can | | | | only trying to give their families a better life. For |
| successfully complete an oral interview, medical | | | | this reason, people who understand the Border |
| and fitness exams, drug testing, and background | | | | Patrol mission and believe in its importance are |
| investigation." | | | | better-equipped to handle the job. |