Thread: The United States Border Patrol

Hey guys, I thought I would take the time to shed some light and answer any questions about an agency that is essential and at times misinterpreted.

You guys might be familiar with the Nat Geo show "Border Wars". Although it is insightful, it doesn't really show the road we have to travel to acquire the badge. The initial BP academy is 55 days long. From the moment you arrive at the FLETC facility in Artesia, New Mexico. The screaming begins and you are rushed off the bus and into your barracks. The rest of the day consists of paperwork till late into the night. At the crack of dawn the following day you report to a class room and take a spanish language test and according to your score, you either stay an extended period of time after graduation to complete the spanish portion of the academy. The schedule is a monday to friday, but very strenuous and hectic. The academy was shortened and thus the spanish portion was eliminated for the native speakers, on the down side the other courses were compressed into a smaller time frame. You must juggle between, physical training which includes calisthenics, military type formation runs, arrest techniques, and self defense. A driving course that includes 4x4, emergency response, non emergency response, and skid control. A weapons course with a h&k p2000 40cal, carbine m4a1, and a 12 gauge shotgun. We also have a little training in room clearing, cover fire, and high stress target shooting. A swimming course that includes survival swimming. And law courses which are no walk in the park. On top of this we have misc certifications along the way, like cpr and OC (oleoresin capsicum) spray (which blows! see vid http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gHPb44ze_tU ), while doing jumping jacks and answering questions, the instructors spray about a can of this stuff in our eyes, mouth, and ears. We then have to standby while it takes effect, then run into a room and arrest a non compliant suspect. Not the funnest of training.

After all courses are completed and passed, you go on to graduate. You then report to your assigned station, where you will be on a field training program. You ride with a senior agent and he teaches you and your classmates the areas and other essential things. This is about a 3 month gig, then you are assigned to your respective shift. At this time you are under a one year probationary period (which recently changed, I went through a 2 yr prob. period), were basically you can be fired for any screw up without due process.

After your probationary period, you can begin to certify for ATV's, boats, horse patrol, basically alot of fun stuff. You can also be detailed to other agencies such as ICE or DEA for a period of time. Alot of people use the Border Patrol as a stepping stone for other agencies. Having passed this grueling academy apparently looks good on your resume.

There is also a specialty unit for the hardcore guys that need more adrenaline, known as BORTAC or Border Patrol Tactical Unit. I know very little about this training but I can tell you it mirrors special forces, in the sense sleep deprivation, hazing, reconnaissance, and other cool stuff. I know a few guys that have completed the training, and alot more that have not.

Hulu - Great Americans: BORTAC: US Border Patrol Tactical Unit - Watch the full episode now.

Fun read!

It sucks while you are there, but then you look back at the funny things ppl did and said. Anyone looking into a career in law enforcement, I would recommend looking into this branch.

I'm happy being fat and not being shot at.

Lol Pint, there is also an elite search and rescue unit that I forgot to mention named BORSTAR.


And Toker, many checkpoints have been set up for permanent duty. Only checkpoints affected by weather are surprise temporary ones, and those are typically only up for a few hours. Don't get me wrong, there is absolutely no way to apprehend all illegal entry of immigrants/contraband. But we sure as hell will make them struggle through every attempt.

Nice read, yung.

Originally Posted by yungryder

......I can tell you it mirrors special forces, in the sense sleep deprivation, hazing, reconnaissance, and other cool stuff

"So what are you going to do this weekend?"

"Gunna go for some serious sleep deprivation and get someone to haze me...you know cool stuff"

I did four days and change once. Second day is easy, you get that 'second wind', a little out of it but feeling ok. Third day is like someone peeled your dome back and poured fiberglass dust inside, your eyes feel like a few hours after getting pepper sprayed. Fourth day is like an out of body experience where you feel day three happening to both bodies at once, intermediately with feeling pretty normal for an hour or so then back to feeling like two people. "Cool" don't fit in that scenario. Fun fact the longest anyone has stayed awake is 11 days (this doesn't count some rare disease process, and it was done by a high school kid for a freaking science fair.