Border Patrol Compressed Testing

[Redman]

Anyone else in this process? I can't believe how quickly things are moving. I'm actually moving through the process much faster than the CASS system is being updated. I've been reading the HonorFirst forums pretty frequently but I was just wondering if any RP'ers were in the process or had any words of wisdom.

My timeline:

Written Exam: 08/02/2008-Passed (Chicago testing site)
Test was graded, Tentative Offer and all application forms were received immediately after passing the exam.
Application Packet Returned to MHC: 08/14/2008
Fitness/Medical: 08/27/2008
Oral Board: 09/04/2008
Background: Pending
Drug Test: Pending

There it is....now I'm off to do some PT! I hear it's a killer!

[chewy]

That's because they can't keep you Green Giants alive long enough to do it the other way...

They are hiring s ton of new Agents which, I imagine, is why things are going so fast. Good luck, I'd love to leave Field Ops and go BP but I'm too far out of shape and won't live on the Southern Border so that basically leaves me with OFO till I retire!

[BP348]

Chewy they just hired the first Northern Border Interns. Of course you'ed have to deal with the mean green PT :eek: :D

[BP348]

My timeline:

Written Exam: 08/02/2008-Passed (Chicago testing site)
Test was graded, Tentative Offer and all application forms were received immediately after passing the exam.
Application Packet Returned to MHC: 08/14/2008
Fitness/Medical: 08/27/2008
Oral Board: 09/04/2008
Background: Pending
Drug Test: Pending

There it is....now I'm off to do some PT! I hear it's a killer!

Definately work on the PT!!!

Where are you scheduled to have your Oral boards?

Where was the Chicago testing site? That's where I did my test.

[Redman]

Definately work on the PT!!!

Where are you scheduled to have your Oral boards?

Where was the Chicago testing site? That's where I did my test.

I've got some pretty bad shin splints right now, but I'm trying to do as much PT as possible. Hopefully I can work through them before I get the call, if that day ever comes. I hear life is pretty rough for those recruits who require "special attention" from the PT instructors.

The Chicago test site was at the Illinois Institute of Technology. Someone thought it would be a good idea to bring in a high school band camp to practice right outside the window of the room we were taking the test in. That made things interesting.

I'm having my Oral Board in Cincinnati. I was lucky enough to have it scheduled at a location that's about 30 minutes away from my house. I drove 6 hours for the written in Chicago.

Any advice for the Oral Board?

[hey_scooter]

I've got some pretty bad shin splints right now, but I'm trying to do as much PT as possible. Hopefully I can work through them before I get the call, if that day ever comes. I hear life is pretty rough for those recruits who require "special attention" from the PT instructors.

The Chicago test site was at the Illinois Institute of Technology. Someone thought it would be a good idea to bring in a high school band camp to practice right outside the window of the room we were taking the test in. That made things interesting.

I'm having my Oral Board in Cincinnati. I was lucky enough to have it scheduled at a location that's about 30 minutes away from my house. I drove 6 hours for the written in Chicago.

Any advice for the Oral Board?

Look sharp and just be yourself. Any more advice than that and I would be in violation of the NDA we all signed.

[North Patrol]

Any advice for the Oral Board?

Having done many oral boards the best advice I can give you is answer honestly. The board members don't want you to answer what they want to hear, but what you think. We could always tell when someone was trying to give answers they thought we wanted and it's annoying.

Also don't worry about policies, procedures or laws during the board. Your not expected to know them so just answer with what you know. If you come to a conclusion that they question, be able to explain it. I've had several that made a bad call in the board but were able to explain themselves. That I can fix in the academy, just being stupid I can't fix!

And this may sound stupid but you'd be suprised how many this affects.

1. Wear nice clothes, ie suit or dress slacks and blazer.
2. If a male take out your earings. If female make them small, not noticable.
3. Be polite. Answer "yes Sir/Ma'am", "no Sir/Ma'am".
4. Greet with a firm confident handshake and sit up straight.
5. If you don't understand a question have them repeat or rephase it.
6. Look them in the eyes and answer to all of them. Not just the one asking the questions.
7. Bring significant other if the have questions. Most boards have a quick brief a head of time and are willing to answer any questions they might have.
8. BE ON TIME!!! Hell, be early.

Good luck.

[Redman]

I passed my fitness, medical, and oral boards! Thanks for the advice everyone. I've never had an interview like that, so it was a very different experience for me. I'm glad to have it over with and off my shoulders. I'm done with every step of the process that I have control over, and that's a great feeling. I'll just be waiting to hear from the BI now.

[BP348]

I've never had an interview like that, so it was a very different experience for me.

USBP's oral interview is a little different :D I like the way it's done.

Congrats on passing.

[Redman]

USBP's oral interview is a little different :D I like the way it's done.

Congrats on passing.

Thanks BP348. After passing that, I feel like I can pass just about any interview. I'm definitely not intimidated by interviews any more. :D

I also must say that the professionalism exhibited by the oral board Agents made me want this career even more.

[tejano820]

Hey REDMAN, did you have your interview at a DHS location or a Hotel?
I had my drug test done the same day of the interview. And yes, the interview makes you feel like you can pass just about any employment interview lol.

[Redman]

Hey REDMAN, did you have your interview at a DHS location or a Hotel?
I had my drug test done the same day of the interview. And yes, the interview makes you feel like you can pass just about any employment interview lol.

My oral board location was a hotel. Here is my updated time line:


Written Exam: 08/02/2008-Passed (Chicago testing site)
Test was graded, Tentative Offer and all application forms were received immediately after passing the exam.
Application Packet Returned to MHC: 08/14/2008
Fitness/Medical: 08/27/2008-Passed Fitness, Med. Pending
Oral Board: 09/04/2008-Passed
Received NMC letter (Lasik within 3 months): 9/14/2008
Lasik paperwork faxed to CHS: 9/26/2008
Drug Test: 9/24/2008
Background: CASS shows complete. Interim Clearance Granted?

I just logged into CASS and it says that my background investigation has been completed. I wasn't sure why because I haven't even met with the background investigator yet. According to the Honorfirst forums, I've been granted interim clearance. I suppose that MHC just hasn't told me this yet. I guess I will be in Artesia much sooner than I thought!

[tejano820]

wow sounds like they are really moving fast on yours!. i havent been contacted by a BI either.
whats this ----> Received NMC letter (Lasik within 3 months):

my time line looks like this.
Written exam Feb. 2007 - Passed (Moreno Valley, CA)
did not proceed with the process till 2008
Reapplied 08-11-08
Received Tentative Offer / Background Packet - 08-22-08
Background submitted / Paper work returned - 09-04-08
Medical/Fitness Completed-Passed 09-12-08
Oral Interview - Passed 09-24-08 (Chula Vista, CA. San Diego Sector)
Drug test 09-24-08.

[Redman]

wow sounds like they are really moving fast on yours!. i havent been contacted by a BI either.
whats this ----> Received NMC letter (Lasik within 3 months):

my time line looks like this.
Written exam Feb. 2007 - Passed (Moreno Valley, CA)
did not proceed with the process till 2008
Reapplied 08-11-08
Received Tentative Offer / Background Packet - 08-22-08
Background submitted / Paper work returned - 09-04-08
Medical/Fitness Completed-Passed 09-12-08
Oral Interview - Passed 09-24-08 (Chula Vista, CA. San Diego Sector)
Drug test 09-24-08.

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.

[BP348]

I'll tell you guys like I tell everyone who passes when I conduct the interviews. The Patrol is what you put into it.

Are there things I wish were different? Sure biggest being investigations, USBP does no investigations & I think that's the biggest reason why we loose people to other agencies. I know of several former USBP guys here at RP & I believe all of them left the patrol for an agency that conducts investigations but if you talk to them they all had a great time while in the patrol. I, myself received an offer from ICE which I would have accecpted if it would have been for anywhere except Southern California :rolleyes:

Other than that find out what your good at and then go from there. I'll give you an example, Every Border Patrol Agent can sign cut but like everything some are much better at it than others. Me? I like working the checkpoint so I stayed at the checkpoint. Others really like ATV's or the Special OP's teams. Get the picture? USBP has many different areas and we need good people in each.

Congrats on passing everything. Now it's just a waiting game.

Remember to keep doing that PT ;)