Border Patrol Compressed Testing

[tejano820]

I received a not medically cleared letter because I had Lasik surgery within 3 months of my medical exam. They sent me a letter and a form that I had to have the doctor fill out at my 3 month post-op exam. They basically just want to make sure that everything went smoothly with the surgery and that there's no major side affects or complications.

Is the San Diego sector your preference? My preference is the Tucson Sector and I'm hoping for Naco, Douglas, or Casa Grande. I won't station shop though, I'll probably take what ever I'm offered.

The first time i applied early 2007, i put in for San Diego. The day i took the test one of the Agents doing the orientation said that applicants putting in for SD would be waiting for some time. This time around i put in for Arizona sector. I showed up for the oral interview while listening to Q&A from other applicants to Agents conducting the orientation, one applicant asked what stations where hiring. The Agent said ALL THE STATIONS!!!, she said that pretty much whatever you put in for thats what you were gonna be getting, dont expect to get southern southeast texas when you put in for SD. She also said that theres been cases lately where they are giving 2 locations to chose from.
But i guess every case is different and you can still be offered something totally different from what you requested.
So you cleared your background that fast?

[Redman]

The first time i applied early 2007, i put in for San Diego. The day i took the test one of the Agents doing the orientation said that applicants putting in for SD would be waiting for some time. This time around i put in for Arizona sector. I showed up for the oral interview while listening to Q&A from other applicants to Agents conducting the orientation, one applicant asked what stations where hiring. The Agent said ALL THE STATIONS!!!, she said that pretty much whatever you put in for thats what you were gonna be getting, dont expect to get southern southeast texas when you put in for SD. She also said that theres been cases lately where they are giving 2 locations to chose from.
But i guess every case is different and you can still be offered something totally different from what you requested.
So you cleared your background that fast?

Yes, but that's only because I haven't had my full background investigation yet. Interim clearance means that I will be hired and sent to the academy, and my background will be completed while I'm at there.

There are many examples of Trainees getting the call and being offered 2 stations on the Honorfirst.com forums. There is a wealth of information on that site, so I would recommend checking it out if you haven't already. I'll warn you though, that is a very formal forum. Bring your spelling and grammar A-game, or you will definitely hear about it!


BP348, I appreciate the input that you give. I love the idea that there are so many different things that you can do on the BP. Are you happy with your decision to stay with the BP? It seems as though the BP is a very good stepping stone to investigative positions. I'm certainly not one of the applicants that only wants to join the BP for that reason, but it's just nice to know that time with the BP will help you out down the road.

If you don't mind me asking, how is the atmosphere towards new trainees at your station? I'm hearing that many of the trainees aren't exactly met with open arms by the senior agents, and it's sort of an uphill battle to prove to them that you're not one of the bad apples....

[BP348]

If you don't mind me asking, how is the atmosphere towards new trainees at your station? I'm hearing that many of the trainees aren't exactly met with open arms by the senior agents, and it's sort of an uphill battle to prove to them that you're not one of the bad apples....

I've heard that as well. Personally I try to put everyone in the best light. Lets face it you made it through the process and the academy so that should count for something. That being said, & I don't think this only happens with USBP, your rep will be made fairly quickly once you arrive at your duty station.

Here at my current station I can only think of 1 or 2 interns who are only OK all the others seem pretty squared away. At my last station I know of at least 5 who should have never made it through the academy.

Best advice I can give is to try your best at everything. I'll give you an example, both my current duty station and my former station have traffic checkpoints. The one thing I made sure to tell all the interns was that a journeyman agent should never beat an intern to a vehicle secondary or to a bus.

Sometimes it can't be helped but when it becomes a pattern then something is wrong. Also don't wait to have work assigned to you. If you see several aliens who need to be processed then jump in and start processing.

That and boots. That's my pet pieve. While at the academy your boots will be shined but once you hit the field it's not as big a deal but it bugs me to see guys with grey boots. It takes 2 minutes to put polish on your boots.

[Redman]

I've heard that as well. Personally I try to put everyone in the best light. Lets face it you made it through the process and the academy so that should count for something. That being said, & I don't think this only happens with USBP, your rep will be made fairly quickly once you arrive at your duty station.

Here at my current station I can only think of 1 or 2 interns who are only OK all the others seem pretty squared away. At my last station I know of at least 5 who should have never made it through the academy.

Best advice I can give is to try your best at everything. I'll give you an example, both my current duty station and my former station have traffic checkpoints. The one thing I made sure to tell all the interns was that a journeyman agent should never beat an intern to a vehicle secondary or to a bus.

Sometimes it can't be helped but when it becomes a pattern then something is wrong. Also don't wait to have work assigned to you. If you see several aliens who need to be processed then jump in and start processing.

That and boots. That's my pet pieve. While at the academy your boots will be shined but once you hit the field it's not as big a deal but it bugs me to see guys with grey boots. It takes 2 minutes to put polish on your boots.

It sounds like a trainee's reputation is based on their motivation and their ambition to succeed in this career field. If that's the case, I feel like I will be able to do well and overcome any stigma that follows the new interns to their duty stations. While in college, I interned with a small HIDTA office. I'll never forget how great it felt to know that a load of dope/cash was seized, and that I was a part of it (even though my part was very, very small). When I think about this, I know that I will have the motivation and ambition to do well with the U.S. Border Patrol. And I'll also make sure to stock up on the boot polish, thanks for the advice. I agree that it's the little things like that that show someone's true character.

[Redman]

I've been referred to the Training and Scheduling Department. :D:D

This is very surreal for me. I'm getting ready to make the biggest decision of my life, and trying to preparing myself to leave everyone I know and love for the job of a lifetime. Nothing to do now except sit and wait for "the call". (except PT of course)