Border Patrol Questions

[jfoote85]

So I'm a little fed up with my juvenile corrections gig and in need of a change. Been thinking of jumping ship to the SDPD but recently some of the Border Patrol information caught my eye. I'll admit I do not know a whole lot about what they do, I have been doing some light research the past few weeks. I have some basic questions. Obviously I live in San Diego, what are the chances of staying in the area? Some people I've talked to said pretty much your screwed and getting sent to rural Arizona or New Mexico. My spouse attends SDSU so that is completely not an option. However, I was thinking of applying, hoping for the best, and if I didn't receive something close as a duty station just rejecting the offer (assuming I pass everything).

Out of the academy, what is a routine assignment? I always see the guys in the trucks/jeeps out near where I work (next to George Bailey). I'm confused if the patrol guys in the trucks along the roads is a specialty gig or if that is standard. My gut tells me you would be stationed right at the border doing vehicle checks, but I could be wrong? Trust me I'm not the guy who hopes to get hired and immediately put into investigations or something, just don't have an idea of what the new booties are assigned to lol.

Sorry it's a little long, but if anyone is knowlegeable about the BP and is bored, please answer my questions, thanks in advance. . .

[madchiken]

So I'm a little fed up with my juvenile corrections gig and in need of a change. Been thinking of jumping ship to the SDPD but recently some of the Border Patrol information caught my eye. I'll admit I do not know a whole lot about what they do, I have been doing some light research the past few weeks. I have some basic questions. Obviously I live in San Diego, what are the chances of staying in the area? Some people I've talked to said pretty much your screwed and getting sent to rural Arizona or New Mexico. My spouse attends SDSU so that is completely not an option. However, I was thinking of applying, hoping for the best, and if I didn't receive something close as a duty station just rejecting the offer (assuming I pass everything).
When you apply, you will choose a geographic preference, either CA, AZ, W TX and NM, or S TX. If you choose CA, you will likely be stationed either in San Diego or El Centro. In San Diego, there are two north county stations and six other stations from the beach to east of Jacumba. El Centro has a couple stations near Riverside/Palm Springs and 2 others from the grade to AZ.



Out of the academy, what is a routine assignment? I always see the guys in the trucks/jeeps out near where I work (next to George Bailey). I'm confused if the patrol guys in the trucks along the roads is a specialty gig or if that is standard. My gut tells me you would be stationed right at the border doing vehicle checks, but I could be wrong? Trust me I'm not the guy who hopes to get hired and immediately put into investigations or something, just don't have an idea of what the new booties are assigned to lol.

Routine assignment depends on the station you are assigned to. We are not on the border doing vehicle checks. The guys at the port of entry are CBP Officers. We cover all the area between them. Some stations have checkpoints that are away from the border, but for the most part you will be out "working traffic".

[BigPat]

So I'm a little fed up with my juvenile corrections gig and in need of a change. Been thinking of jumping ship to the SDPD but recently some of the Border Patrol information caught my eye. I'll admit I do not know a whole lot about what they do, I have been doing some light research the past few weeks. I have some basic questions. Obviously I live in San Diego, what are the chances of staying in the area? Some people I've talked to said pretty much your screwed and getting sent to rural Arizona or New Mexico. My spouse attends SDSU so that is completely not an option. However, I was thinking of applying, hoping for the best, and if I didn't receive something close as a duty station just rejecting the offer (assuming I pass everything).


You fill out a geographic preference choice between 4 areas (Calif, Ariz, W. Tex/N. Mex, S. Tex) and you get your assignment from there. With the recent hiring push you are more likely to get your geographic preference choice then you were a few years ago (at least that's the way it seems).


Out of the academy, what is a routine assignment? I always see the guys in the trucks/jeeps out near where I work (next to George Bailey). I'm confused if the patrol guys in the trucks along the roads is a specialty gig or if that is standard. My gut tells me you would be stationed right at the border doing vehicle checks, but I could be wrong? Trust me I'm not the guy who hopes to get hired and immediately put into investigations or something, just don't have an idea of what the new booties are assigned to lol.

Sorry it's a little long, but if anyone is knowlegeable about the BP and is bored, please answer my questions, thanks in advance. . .

The vehicle checks that are done right at the Border are done by CBP, not Border Patrol. It is possible that you will be sent to a station that has a traffic checkpoint (like the one I am at, Kingsville, TX). If you do, don't fret. It usually ends up being one day at the checkpoint and one day workingout in the brush/ranch. I am at a checkpoint station and the work is(was?) good in terms of getting apprehensions. Even if you are working the checkpoint alien and dope apprehensions are pretty easy to get if you want to get them.

The one caveat to what I am saying is that I have been deployed in Iraq for the last 1 year+ and I have not yet returned to work (1 more week!) .However, what I have heard is that with the massive influx of trainees/interns that there have been even more chances to work in the brush and make apprehensions. The point is , if you want to work for BP, you can pretty much make a lot of arrests and make a lot of vehicle seizures/drug seizures as soon as you start working(at least at my station). The work is plentiful as long as you want to do it. The pay is pretty good too.

Just my $.02

[jfoote85]

Cool thanks guys. The information seems more positive than I'd hoped. Now for a final pretty big question. I was under the impression that everything (patrol, checkpoints, etc) was under CBP? From what I'm reading, CBP and Border Patrol are something different? Is there something different you have to do when applying or as long as you apply specifically to Border Patrol and not CBP your okay? Again, thanks in advance. . .

[shawal16]

Cool thanks guys. The information seems more positive than I'd hoped. Now for a final pretty big question. I was under the impression that everything (patrol, checkpoints, etc) was under CBP? From what I'm reading, CBP and Border Patrol are something different? Is there something different you have to do when applying or as long as you apply specifically to Border Patrol and not CBP your okay? Again, thanks in advance. . .

There is a different application for Border Patrol Agents (BPA) and Custom Border Protection Officers (CBPO). And there is a different written test. The BPA is still accepting applications while CBPO are not. If you are looking to stay in the area you should also look into CBPO when the vacany reopens.

[brandonthelaw]

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[mjcek]

check out www.honorfirst.com


It has everything you've ever wanted to know about BP.

[1895FED]

I have one question?
Does BP still have the Post-Academy testing at 6 months and 20 months?
Can you guys going through the academy or have just graduated please advise.

[madchiken]

I have one question?
Does BP still have the Post-Academy testing at 6 months and 20 months?
Can you guys going through the academy or have just graduated please advise.

It was at 6 and 10 and there are a few classes that may still have to take a 10 month because they EOD'ed prior to the new program.

With the new program there are several tests that you take during FTO and there is a 12 and 20 month review.