Got the Call USBP

[Redman]

I got the call this morning and was offered the Ajo, AZ station. I EOD at the Tucson Sector headquarters on Oct. 23, and start the academy Oct. 28. I'm pumped! Thank you all so much for the advice that you have given me! Ajo definitely wouldn't be my first choice for a station (because of it's location), but I promised myself I wouldn't be a station shopper, and would play the hand I was dealt. Ajo is very remote, but I hear the work is great!

[GrahamX05]

Congrats!!!

[Kimble]

Congrats! Get ready to have your you-know-what handed to you in training.

[Nole795]

Congrats Redman

[Sierra]

Sorry to hear that. The green machine consumes yet another person who might have made a decent cop. ;)


Congrats on the call.

[Kyn]

Way to go! Congrats!

[charlydevo]

I hope that you've been running.

[BP348]

Congrats on the call!!

Like Charly said I hope you've been running.

As far as Ajo goes your heard correct the work is supposed to be great but the living conditions leave a lot to be desired. I've never been there so I don't know for sure but I've heard that the closest decent sized town is about 80 miles away. This is a bit of a drive but it can be done.. If there are others and you can carpool it helps a lot!!! Take it from someone who drives 70 miles one way. I try to car pool as much as possible.

I don't know your situation but if your single then I would try to live there in Ajo. it just makes life easier to have a 10 minute drive to work.

When you EOD at Tucson Sector ask about the vanpool program. USBP has a program where the give agents a stipend (about $100) a month so if you can get enough guys together, about 9, then you can get the van and the stipend so you're not burning your own gas or putting miles on your own car. I know Laredo sector is just setting up the program & I'm not sure where the other sectors are in the process.

If you have any questions or if I can help let me know.

[Redman]

Congrats on the call!!

Like Charly said I hope you've been running.

As far as Ajo goes your heard correct the work is supposed to be great but the living conditions leave a lot to be desired. I've never been there so I don't know for sure but I've heard that the closest decent sized town is about 80 miles away. This is a bit of a drive but it can be done.. If there are others and you can carpool it helps a lot!!! Take it from someone who drives 70 miles one way. I try to car pool as much as possible.

I don't know your situation but if your single then I would try to live there in Ajo. it just makes life easier to have a 10 minute drive to work.

When you EOD at Tucson Sector ask about the vanpool program. USBP has a program where the give agents a stipend (about $100) a month so if you can get enough guys together, about 9, then you can get the van and the stipend so you're not burning your own gas or putting miles on your own car. I know Laredo sector is just setting up the program & I'm not sure where the other sectors are in the process.

If you have any questions or if I can help let me know.

Thanks BP, yes I've been running about 4 miles 4 days a week. Hopefully that will be a good foundation to start the academy's PT on. I'm planning on living in or near Ajo until I pass my 10 month test, or maybe even until I complete probation. I'm 22 and single, so I don't mind roughing it for a few years. I also figure that if I live in town until I complete my probation, I should have a nice little chunk of change to help me get started in a bigger city. I've been told that you will be so busy your first couple years, that you really won't care where you live. I can always head into Phoenix or Tucson on my days off.

Do you have any additional advice on how to survive the academy?

I noticed that Ajo is only about 80 miles from Puerto Peñasco. How does the BP feel about agents taking recreational trips into Mexico?

[deputywave]

Congrats!!

[steve1568]

I noticed that Ajo is only about 80 miles from Puerto Peñasco. How does the BP feel about agents taking recreational trips into Mexico?

One could almost equate that to a city cop taking a pleasure trip to county lock-up !!! Congrads and best of luck !!!

[BP348]

4 Miles 4 days a week is pretty good. P.T. is one of those areas where you can either relax for 2 hours a day or you can suffer for the two hours. Me? I suffered for the two hours & I wish someone would have told me to get ready for the academy better.

I'm glad you decided to live in or as near to Ajo as you can & yes there is always going to Phoenix or Tucson on your days off. While at the academy you can contact a local real estate agent as check into renting a house. Get 2 or 3 others and it should work out well.

As far as the academy goes just keep your eyes on the prize. It's only a few short weeks and while I do recommend you go out and do whatever on Friday's (you're going to need to get away and break the stress) Don't go out and get stupid.. If needed use a taxi or make sure who ever is driving isn't drinking.

Try to keep why you're there at the front of your thinking. I've heard plenty of stories about guys going to El Paso and getting in trouble or getting a DUI and the next thing they know they're out of a job.

Keep on top of the materials, Immigration law is kind of confusing & as you can guess picking up the Spanish can be a B!tch!!

As far as the trips to Mexico USBP dosen't have a policy on it. Whenever you get to Ajo ask around I'm sure they will tell you where it's safe to go. Trips to the interior are really cool. Just remember not to tell anyone what you do for a living ;)

I also tell all the new guys that your paycheck should about double after you get done at the academy. That's when your AUO, Night pay, Holiday, and Sunday pay will be added.