Different Branches of CBP ?

[BarXone]

I was curious to know if there are (I assume there are, duh!) different branches in Customs and Border Patrol. Maybe Agents vs. Officers?

I currently work in the Maritime Industry with international ships and run into CBP many times a week. They are there to make sure there is no smuggled drugs/humans etc., and also to make sure everyone's paper is lined up correctly. CPB officers aren't much for conversation (and rightly so, as they don't know who they are talking to). I have spoken to a few of them about small things but we never got into what exactly it is they do besides the inspections. I know there are CBP officers/agents that literally guard the border by Canada, Mexico etc..



My question is: Do you write down what you prefer to do? Or is there entirely different exams for each type of duty.

How are they with travel? If you're stationed in New York, are you asked to fly on business leave? How often does this occur (or how often are you asked to relocate) ?

I appreciate any help someone "in-the-know" or in the field can offer.

Thanks in advance guys!

[1depd]

Some of your questions are extremely close to operations security so I won't answer all of them. Here is a chart from cbp.gov that shows the general organization of CBP.
http://www.cbp.gov/linkhandler/cgov/...tt/orgcha1.pdf
Border patrol are the officers in green along the border. Field Operations are the officers in blue working all of the ports of entry. Air and Marine is obviously in the air or in the water. Each of these branches has a different a different test, but what job you are assigned within that branch depends on where you are assigned. I work at cargo seaport so I do that type of work. I had academy classmates who were assigned to a land border and others assigned to airports and primarily do visitors and no cargo.

As far as moving around don't expect much, the government is happy to leave you where you are until you retire.

[BP348]

Customs and Border Patrol. Maybe Agents vs. Officers?

CBP = Customs and Border Protection

US Border Patrol & Air & Marine are called Agents

CBPO's are Officers

See what 1depd said.

Just in case it's not clear Field Operations = CBPO's.

[ICEburg]

CBP = Customs and Border Protection

US Border Patrol & Air & Marine are called Agents

CBPO's are Officers

See what 1depd said.

Just in case it's not clear Field Operations = CBPO's.

And you forgot Internal Affairs. Their guys are Special Agents

[chewy]

CBP = Customs and Border Protection

US Border Patrol & Air & Marine are called Agents

CBPO's are Officers

See what 1depd said.

Just in case it's not clear Field Operations = CBPO's.

To elaborate a little...

CBP has
US Border Patrol (Agents - Green Uniforms)
Air and Marine Interdiction (Agents - Tan uniforms)
Field Ops (Officers - Blue uniforms)(these are the irritable officers and ag spec's that grumble at you when you cross the border)

Then Trade and Intel but they don't actually do anything :D

[chewy]

And you forgot Internal Affairs. Their guys are Special Agents

Emphasis on Special...

[ICEburg]

To elaborate a little...

CBP has
US Border Patrol (Agents - Green Uniforms)
Air and Marine Interdiction (Agents - Tan uniforms)
Field Ops (Officers - Blue uniforms)(these are the irritable officers and ag spec's that grumble at you when you cross the border)

Then Trade and Intel but they don't actually do anything :D

Well, actually, to be a little more accurate, here are the current law enforcement occupations within CBP:

CBP - Office of Border Patrol: Border Patrol Agents

CBP - Office of Air & Marine Interdiction: Air Interdiction Agents & Marine Interdiction Agents

CBP - Office of Field Operations: Customs & Border Protection Officers & Canine Enforcement Officers

CBP - Office of Internal Affairs: Special Agents

[chewy]

Well, actually, to be a little more accurate, here are the current law enforcement occupations within CBP:

CBP - Office of Border Patrol: Border Patrol Agents

CBP - Office of Air & Marine Interdiction: Air Interdiction Agents & Marine Interdiction Agents

CBP - Office of Field Operations: Customs & Border Protection Officers & Canine Enforcement Officers

CBP - Office of Internal Affairs: Special Agents

Ya but you forgot the color of the uniforms!!! :D

Also, Under field ops it's just CBP Officers, CBP Enforcement Officers and Ag Specialists. We don't have a Canine Enforcement Officer, the K-9's are just CBPO's with a collateral as a handler. Of course they don't do anything but the dog but they are only classified as an 1895 CBP Officer. Which makes it easier to get the job now because it's considered a lateral transfer instead of a seperate job title :D

[BarXone]

all great info guys, I appreciate it..

The guys I deal with are the CBPO's I guess.. they're in blue uniforms..
When I'm on board these ships, they come on and go over paperwork with the captain - mostly to check and make sure everyone who's on board is suppose to be there. They write a few things, stamp and leave. Occasionally they'll do full inspections (specifically when they come from certain countries, ex. Pakistan). But Coast Guard usually takes care of them ;)

I'm registered to take a CPB test sometime at the end of April. Do you get to select which duty you'd prefer to work in? I understand (especially early on) they place you where needed.

The reason I ask this is in case I decide to go through with this, I'd be using this as a stepping stone to get federal experience, get my name in the system; security clearance, and start up that retirement. I have interest to ultimately get into ICE or USMS.

I'm also looking into my local PD. The local route has it's benefits as well, just wasn't sure what to do.

[BP348]

And you forgot Internal Affairs. Their guys are Special Agents

I didn't really forget them ;)

CBP IA is all ICE 1811 anyway.

[chewy]

I didn't really forget them ;)

CBP IA is all ICE 1811 anyway.

I didn't say anything but I thought IA was still under ICE... I've had enough dealings with them so I guess I should have felt confident to say it!! :D

[ICEburg]

I didn't really forget them ;)

CBP IA is all ICE 1811 anyway.

Negative ! CBP established its own Office of Internal Affairs 2 years ago. They have over 200 Special Agents assigned to approximately 19 SAC & RAC offices around the country. Check out CBPnet, There is a map of where all the CBP-IA offices are locted.

[chewy]

Negative ! CBP established its own Office of Internal Affairs 2 years ago. They have over 200 Special Agents assigned to approximately 19 SAC & RAC offices around the country. Check out CBPnet, There is a map of where all the CBP-IA offices are locted.

That must be why they re-opened the IA office here in Detroit. Years ago OI used to do our IA stuff then after the DHS mess up... I mean conversion... ICE did it and Detroit closed for a while and all IA/OPR stuff was done out of Chicago then about a year ago they opened another IA office here. I didn't realize they were CBP employees though as we don't have any 1811's with CBP. Is it sad that I've already gotten to know the names of the 2 agents here?? :D

[BP348]

Negative ! CBP established its own Office of Internal Affairs 2 years ago. They have over 200 Special Agents assigned to approximately 19 SAC & RAC offices around the country. Check out CBPnet, There is a map of where all the CBP-IA offices are locted.

I agree CBP has established its own Office of IA. But if you look into the 1811's who are now CBP IA 1811's they were all ICE 1811's.

As far as I know there is no way for any member of CBP (BPA, CBPO, MIA) to promote up to a CBP IA 1811. or any 1811 for that matter. :mad:

[1depd]

all great info guys, I appreciate it..

The guys I deal with are the CBPO's I guess.. they're in blue uniforms..
When I'm on board these ships, they come on and go over paperwork with the captain - mostly to check and make sure everyone who's on board is suppose to be there. They write a few things, stamp and leave. Occasionally they'll do full inspections (specifically when they come from certain countries, ex. Pakistan). But Coast Guard usually takes care of them ;)

I'm registered to take a CPB test sometime at the end of April. Do you get to select which duty you'd prefer to work in? I understand (especially early on) they place you where needed.

The reason I ask this is in case I decide to go through with this, I'd be using this as a stepping stone to get federal experience, get my name in the system; security clearance, and start up that retirement. I have interest to ultimately get into ICE or USMS.

I'm also looking into my local PD. The local route has it's benefits as well, just wasn't sure what to do.

The only way you get to decide what type of duty you perform is by deciding where you'll apply. For example I applied in Mississippi. I had three ports to choose from one was strictly sea port, one had sea and a little airport, and I don't know what the third is, but think it's airport/air cargo. That is about as far as you can go with applying. It all comes down to what the hiring center has open when your name comes up. In my case I only wanted one port, so if that port did not come up I would have turned it down or requested I be considered for that one. To my surprise the port I wanted was the one I was offered. I've heard many people have been told it's take it or leave it. I've also heard several people request a port when the one offered was not to their liking, and they were given the requested port, but don't expect it.