border patrol

[fl coastie]

just a question. is the border patrol worth applying for?? i reecieved a recruitment packet from them. anyone know anything about it??

[abirtz]

From what I hear they're a waste of time. Right Mac

No seriously, I hear that it is a pretty decent job with decent pay and you know that all federal jobs have great pension programs. I've also heard though that it can be an extremely lonely job at times, sitting by yourself in the desert and waiting for some poor smuck to try his luck at crossing the boarder. I mean, there is more to it than that, but seriously ask one of the users named Mac (if he dosn't reply in a day or two) He's on Boarder Patrol and sounds like he absolutely loves it. Hope this helps somewhat.

[Mac]

It is a good job depending on where you are assigned. Some sectors have you sit on an "X" meaning you plant yourself in a location and sit there. The Deming, NM sector has you roaming around, cutting sign, responding to sensor hits and initiating traffic stops. Once you are done with your year of probation, you could be assigned to horse patrol, prosecutions, ATV, and bike patrols. All those assignments last for 6 months and then you rotate back to vehicular shift patrol. They also man checkpoints that are set up on main routes of travel. The academy lasts for 17 weeks and it is intensive. They are throwing INS law at you as well as Spanish (required for graduation), firearms training, physical training, vehicular operations, non-lethal techniques. You have to show how to make a felony stop, order the individual out of the vehicle, lie down, etc. All in Spanish. Once graduated from the academy, you must go through post-academy with a 8 month review of performance and testing. Once that is completed, then the job can become fun. So essentially, your first year is all work and studying. If you decide to apply and are accepted, avoid California. It is very expensive to live there. They are now putting new hires on the northern border where they haven't before. Most of the new hires are heading for the southern border. If I hadn't wrecked my knee, I would still be with them. Benefits are good with an outstanding retirement package. Overtime is a prerequisite for employment. However the job can be frustrating. Sometimes I feel like the little Dutch boy with his finger in the dam and watching leaks sprout everywhere else. I currently work for INS as an Immigration Inspector where there is less physical activity. With your background in the USCG, you would be a shoo-in for Inspections if you feel Border Patrol isn't your cup of tea. One other thing, you can apply your time spent in the USCG towards your retirement so you wouldn't have thrown the time spent in the Coast Guard away. I was prior Navy when hired by BP and I applied my time in the Navy towards retirement, so even though I have only 6 years with INS, I have over 15 years credited towards retirment. Not a bad deal. If you have any more questions, let me know.

Mac

[fl coastie]

thanks mac, thats some really good info. i submited an online application last week and have only recieved a letter saying they were sending a letter with a test date on it. like i said im getting out in nov. how long does the process take? is it faster for military personell? im just trying to avoid the down time after my discharge. thanks for your help i really appreciate it. im trying to learn as much as i can about the border patrol and im dedicated to being an agent

[Mac]

When I got out of the Navy, I applied under the VRA (Veterans Readjustment Act). There was no exam then but they have since changed the hiring process requiring an exam. You can still apply under the VRA and the hiring process can be accelerated. I was told, many years ago, that I couldn't apply until I had 120 days left on my enlistment. When you go to take the exam ask the proctor if you could apply under the VRA program. What I did was apply in March, took 60 days separation leave departing my ship on April 16. June 15 was my actual separation date and I was hired on July 7, barely three weeks after my actual EAOS. So it can be done. Go to your family service center at your installation and they should have phone numbers/addresses to call or write asking for more info on VRA, or check online at www.ins.usdoj.gov and look at the hiring requirements and see if they have VRA requirements listed. At the rate they are hiring, submitting the application now and getting the exam (which is good for a year) out of the way should put you in the ballpark for reporting on duty shortly after you depart the Coast Guard. Once you have completed the academy and returned to your duty station, ask for the form to apply the time you spent in the USCG to go towards your retirement. The form is easy to fill out and basically asks for your permission to release privacy act info. Send it back to your sector station and it will be sent to the main disbursing office the Coast Guard has and they will input your total earnings for the time you were in the USCG and return it to your sector office showing how much you need to pay into the retirment system so your military years will count. The first few years of paying into your retirement will be tax free. For my ten years in the Navy, I had to pay a little over $4,000 so that will give you an idea of how much you might have to pay in. Don't throw those years in the Coast Guard away. Make it pay for you. Plus you will be in the 6 category for annual leave meaning that instead of accruing 4 hours of AL every two weeks (pay period, we get paid every two weeks), you will accrue 6 hours AL per pay period. Everyone accrues 4 hours sick leave a pay period. Max annual leave per year accrued is 240 hours and no limit on sick leave. If you have any more questions about the Border Patrol, direct to them to my email address: rmccoy@zianet.com
Good luck,

Mac

[Stump]

Mac,
You certainly have a good head on your shoulders! You seem to think ahead, and have things worked out ahead of time... a very admirable trait! I think I'm in love!:p

[fl coastie]

what if the wife dont like the west coast??

[Solego]

Than you're SOL

[fl coastie]

disreguard my last post!! i think i talked her into it.

[abirtz]

Just for a minute I am going to assume that Border Patrol "patrols" both the Mexico-US and Canada-US boarders. Am I right in this assumption? But, is there a much greater need for patrol down near Mexico? I mean i can't remember the last time I heard about hoards of Canadians crossing the baren plains of North Dakota trying endlessly to get to Fargo in order to start a new life....

[Solego]

It's probably the other way around.

[Mac]

Don't worry about turning down an offer to be on the left coast, they are used to hearing that. I knew a guy just last year who was offered a job three different times in as many months before he accepted a job in the location he wanted. They will always try to fill vacancies in areas that have the most need. So don't feel obligated or think you are screwing your chances for a Fed job by turning down an offer in a lousy area. They will want you and you will know so pick and choose an area you will feel comfortable with. P.S. El Paso has a good VA hospital if that means anything to you.

Stump, beware, I am 42, single and you might awaken hormones I never thought existed. HAAA!!

Mac

[Mac]

About the northern border, Canada has very liberal immigration laws and they let just about anybody enter. Then it could be very easy to slip south. So those individuals with terrorist ties get refused a US visa, they just go to Canada and then try to slip unnoticed to the south. On the southern border we have to worry about Mexicans, Central and South Americans. Up north, the worry is terrorists and Chinese. Remember a US Customs Inspector intercepted an Arab with bomb materials coming from Canada before the Y2K scare at Port Angeles, WA.

Mac

[locokarma]

I don't really think there's anything wrong with Border Patrol.  If it gets you in the door, then go for it.  From what I have heard, the pay and benefits are good....   Good luck!

[fl coastie]

thanks. im just waiting.... and waiting.. for the study guide and my test date. i think i have a couple of weeks to go. just hope the process goes fast because nov is sneaking up on me, lol. thanks for all of the knowledge(mac) and advice.