While working as a border patrol agent for Customs and Border Protection (CPB) can be one of the most thankless and arduous jobs, it is also one of the most important to the safety of the United States. Although its mission has changed since its inception in 1924, its primary goal remains the same: to prevent people from entering the country illegally. Since terrorism has become a greater threat, the CBP’s top priority is to prevent terrorists or terrorist-related weapons from crossing the border. Agents on the border also try to prevent people from smuggling illegal contraband across the border, such as drugs.
Border patrol agents have a difficult job: they are responsible for patrolling and guarding approximately 6,000 miles (9,656 kilometers) of land borders and 2,000 miles (3,219 kilometers) of coast borders. In the southern heat and northern cold, approximately 11,000 border patrol agents patrol the canyons, mountains, deserts, and beaches of the United States. Helicopters, boats, all-terrain vehicles (ATVs), foot, horseback, motorcycles, bikes, and snowmobiles are all used to patrol.
The process of becoming a border patrol agent can be difficult for those who are interested. The interview process is lengthy, as it is for any law enforcement position, in order to weed out unqualified candidates. The process usually takes six to eight months from start to finish. Potential border patrol agents must be physically fit, intelligent, and courageous, as well as possess some level of Spanish proficiency or the ability to learn another language.
Applicants for border patrol must be US citizens under the age of 40 and have a valid driver’s license. Although a bachelor’s degree is preferred, a mix of education and experience may be considered. The applicant’s vision must be uncorrected at 20/100, and he or she cannot use a hearing aid. Applying for a job as a border patrol agent starts with an online application. To apply for a job, there are five steps that must be followed.
After you submit your initial application, you will be screened to see if you meet the basic requirements to advance to the next level.
Written Exam: There are three sections to the four-and-a-half-hour written exam. The first assesses the applicant’s ability to reason logically. The second examines the applicant’s ability to learn a second language or his or her proficiency in Spanish. The applicant’s work experience is evaluated in the final section.
After the test has been scored, applicants are placed on a national applicant database and ranked according to their test scores.
Oral Interview: This part is similar to any other job interview. The applicant is quizzed on previous work experience and asked hypothetical questions about hypothetical scenarios.
A drug test, medical exam, physical training test, background check, and polygraph test are all part of the pre-employment process. The physical training portion of the test determines how many pushups, sit ups, and steps an applicant can complete in a given amount of time. The applicant must also be able to run 1.5 miles (2.41 kilometers) in under 13 minutes and complete a confidence course in less than 2.5 minutes.