Border Patrol Agent

Border Patrol Agent

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.

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Last Answer on November 08, 2016

Best Rated

Im trying to get a possition as a border patrol officer, what are my chances on getting a dog? Do i buy it? Or is it issued? Or how do i get a buddy?(dog)

Asked by Ivan over 11 years ago

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.

hello, I have already taken and failed the entrance exam. is there a limit on tries for the exam? besides the year wait?

Asked by Kayleen about 11 years ago

No, I do not believe there is a limit on the number of times you can take the exam.

An immigration agent told me to hire an immigration lawyer to help me to take off my record that voluntary deportation and to help me to get a work visa so I can come back to the us legally, can I really do that?

Asked by angel1980 over 11 years ago

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.

You mentioned that BP agents have difficulty maintaining relationships. It seems it might be difficult if not impossible for BORTAC?

Asked by Girlfriend over 11 years ago

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.

Hello Oscar, from your experience can a illegal alien be released to work under the radar for homeland security to help them gather info on safe houses and drug trafficking in the city hub, thank you in advance for your answer.

Asked by Tony over 11 years ago

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.

Since the Border Patrol, like other leo agencies, have a very demanding and tough job, what things would you do while on and off duty to keep your morale high?

Asked by Chris about 11 years ago

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. 

How much time are you given for the logical Reasoning section on the day of the test, I heard this part takes 2 hrs. I want to practice the time with the practice question I sought through the U.S. Border Patrol Web. Hopefully you can re-call this.

Asked by Joe over 11 years ago

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!)