Oscar
Charleston, SC
Male, 31
Spent a bit over four years (2006-2010) serving as a Border Patrol Agent in Tucson Sector, AZ: the busiest sector in the country. Worked numerous positions, and spent the last year and a half operating/instructing ground radar installations. Duties included: field patrols, transport, processing, control room duties, transportation check, checkpoint operations, static watch duties, etc.
Well, becoming a K9 handler is pretty tough. If you start out in a normal station, you can expect to wait 4-6 years minimum to get one. If you're at a smaller station and no one else wants to be a K9 handler you may pick one up sooner. You do have to attend some classes, and a selection process. You do not purchase your own dog - it would be issued if you're selected to become a K9 handler. It's a good, very time consuming gig --- but don't expect it right out of the academy. Being a K9 handler is a rather coveted position so it's more often than not given to senior agents.
No, I do not believe there is a limit on the number of times you can take the exam.
Not if you've been deported. If you have a voluntary return, perhaps. I haven't seen it done, but I never worked with the immigration lawyers.
Well, the BORTAC guys work even more, and are subject to callouts, as they are essentially on-call. Any relationship is doable, but a relationship which is weak to start out with, will not survive a LEO career of any sort. Also, if your loved one is in that line of work you should choose your fights carefully. Sometimes a LEO will encounter a bunch of serious messed up stuff (dead children, bodies, abuse, etc.) on duty and then come home only for his/her spouse to get angry over something stupid --- this will ignite a fight, etc. So, yes it's pretty darn tough. But, not impossible by any stretch of the imagination.
Swim Instructor
Is it easier to learn to swim as a child or adult?Pharmaceutical Researcher
Is there or isn't there a cure for AIDS?Waitress
What types of customers are the worst tippers?That is something which is handled by ICE or DEA. The BP operates some Disrupt teams who work with local LEO's on special tasks like that. It is not under the jurisdiction or a normal BP office though and is handled at Sector level.
There was not much to do on duty to keep your morale high. Off-duty, always just get as far away from work as possible. I moved 40 miles from my station so that on my days off I wasn't seeing anything work-related (short of illegal immigrants all over Phoenix, AZ). The key is to remember it's nothing more than a job. Do your job, come home and carry on with the rest of your life.
Sorry, it's been over 7 years. I have no idea how long we were given (heck I don't even know if the test is still the same!)
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