Border Patrol agents try to stop people from illegally smuggling.
While being a Customs and Border Protection (CPB) Border Patrol agent can be one of the most thankless and exhausting jobs, it is also one of the most crucial to the security of the United States. Its mission may have evolved from its beginnings in 1924, but today, its primary mission remains to stop people from entering the country illegally. As terrorism has become an ever-increasing threat, CBP’s priority is to prevent terrorists or weapons that may be used by terrorists from crossing the border. Border patrol agents also try to stop people from smuggling illegal contraband, such as drugs, across the border.
Border patrol officer candidates must pass a medical exam.
Border Patrol agents have a difficult task: patrolling and protecting approximately 6,000 miles (9,656 kilometers) of land borders and 2,000 miles (3,219 kilometers) of coastal borders. Today, there are about 11,000 Border Patrol agents patrolling the canyons, mountains, deserts and beaches of the United States, in the heat of the South and the cold of the North. They patrol by helicopter, boat, all-terrain vehicle (ATV), on foot, horseback, motorcycle, bicycle, and snowmobile.
A polygraph test is administered to new Border Patrol agents.
For those interested in pursuing a career as a border patrol agent, the process can also be daunting. As with any career in law enforcement, the interview process is complex enough to weed out unqualified candidates. From start to finish, the process typically takes six to eight months. Prospective border patrol officers must be physically fit, display intelligence and courage, and demonstrate some proficiency in speaking Spanish or the ability to learn another language.
Soldiers can patrol the borders with ground vehicles and on foot.
Border Patrol applicants must be US citizens under the age of 40 and have a valid driver’s license. A bachelor’s degree is preferred, but a combination of education and experience may be considered. Vision must be 20/100 uncorrected and applicant may not request a hearing aid. The application process for a job as a border patrol agent begins online. There are five steps that must be completed to sign up for a publication.
Online Application – After you submit your initial application, you will be assessed to see if you meet the basic criteria to move on to the next level.
Written Test: The four and a half hour written test consists of three sections. The first tests the candidate’s logical thinking skills. The second assesses the candidate’s command of Spanish or the ability to learn a second language. The final section assesses the candidate’s work experience.
Selection Process: Following test scores, candidates are placed into a national candidate inventory and ranked according to their test scores.
Oral Interview: This part is very similar to any typical job interview. The candidate is asked about related employment history and given hypothetical questions about potential situations.
Pre-Employment Process: Consists of a drug test, medical exam, physical readiness test, background check, and polygraph test. The physical preparation portion assesses how many push-ups, sit-ups, and steps the candidate can complete in a given period of time. Additionally, the candidate must be able to run 1.5 miles (2.41 kilometers) in less than 13 minutes and complete a confidence run in 2.5 minutes or less.