PoliceLink

Is anyone else a part of the Border Patrol?

I take my test on June 16 2008 to see If Im intelligent enough (which I am durrrrh) and then after that we shall see!

I have always wanted to be a police officer and I have to wait until Im 21 here in California to actually become one, and the Border Patrol set their age minimum at 18 (which I am) so I thought this would be a great stepping stone to take!

Anyone have any thoughts on the Border Patrol? Are they a good orginization?

I took the written test and it's not too bad. Use common sense and you will make it. I have the oral interview on Jun 5. Hope it goes well, and good luck on your pursuit.

I live on the border and have seen them work up close, because my security Company had several sites that were right on the border.  Their job seems hopeless, they catch these illegals and send them back and they come right back.  I have a nickname, I call them the Boomerang Patrol, cause they throw the boomerangs and they come right back.

I tested in September, OB & Physical/Med in December.  Wizz Quiz last week...

Hello all- I am thinking about doing the BP since the federal job I am applying for will be cut short in 2 years due to BRAC(military base closure). I applied to be Dept of Army Federal Security Guard (Army civilian) at a chemical depot here in Oregon which I have a pretty good feeling about hired for since the phone interview questions were similar to entrance in the military. They train in a 6 week security/law enforcement academy too. Being I had to show proof of military status and let the security recruiter know I am in Army National Guard, I feel confident about being hired since it is Army civilian position that has some similarities if a  solider were to  do the job. Such as wearing DCU's (combat uniform), carrying weapons, operating a patrol vehicle with red/blue light bar.  All but one weapon they train on the M9 berreta 9MM handgun I have trained on, they also train on M16 and the M249 SAW.  Never fired 9MM before, only personal 40. cal. handgun.  I hope if hired to take this federal experience,training, and time to another federal agency such as BP if possible.

           -Patrick

I have my BP test in about a month and I'm already starting to look over the prep manual.  The Artificial Language Test should be interesting.  I think it would be a pretty cool job, being federal law enforcement.  I have been applying for local PD positions, as well, but the federal branch of it seems a lot more appealing to me.  I'd really like to get into intelligence and counter terrorism.  BP looks like a good road to do that.

Hello.  I am interested in applying for the Border Patrol as an agent.  I think the work environment and duties are exactly what I am looking for with regards to a law enforcement career.  I am due to finish my MPA with a concentration in Criminal Justice Leadership at the end of August.  Unfortunately, I have let my weight and fitness level get to an unacceptable point during college.  I have planned to be at an appropriate level by the time I finish my degree.  With that being said, can anyone recommend when I should apply and take the written test?  Ideally I would like to minimize the downtime after graduation, but I understand that without being physically fit now, that may be an issue.  Basically, I am looking for a timeline when I could apply and still have some time to work on my fitness.  Perhaps, you will recommend to only apply at the time I am physically ready, but I have read that the process can take a long time and if there are a few months between the written test and the physical, then I would like to take that opportunity to get the process started.

Thank you for your responses in advance.

Ive just applied to the Border Patrol...just wondering, will prior one time experimental drug use bar me from being selected?  I was at a party (wrong place, wrong time) and let my hair down a little bit....I tried coke...one time, just to see what it was and i got sick because it tasted so bad...this was like 3 years ago....everybody has tried at least one thing in their life, right? I am a Navy veteran that has served for 6 years...the summer I got out was when this occured....

Im supposed to take my test on APR 27...on the USA test site it says that I can print my study guide.  when I click it, it pops up and then goes away (like when you have pop up blocker turned on) but my pop up blocker is off so that I am able to get pop ups.  It says if im having problems delete my history and cache, I already did that and I still have problems...any help?

what about one time drug use (experiment) 3 years ago? Will that prevent me from getting in? 

during the background info check/oral interview am i going to be subject to a polygraph? Do they even conduct polygraph for the border patrol?

gonnabeacop says ...

i just got my appointment for the oral interview. anybody what they're gonna ask?

FYI, you are not supposed to have details on the oral board before taking the exam. Each board is different so most likely it wouldn't do you any good anyway but some questions are common. Board members are usually experienced. They know how many times you have taken the oral board (if ever) and can pretty much tell when the applicant is answering expected questions.

Also do not discuss the questions with anyone (i.e. other candidates) before or after the interview. If you are found engaging in any exchange of information at anytime that day you will be removed from further consideration. I'm not saying people don't got a heads up from friends, but do you really want to be the guy that cheated to get in? I heard about one guy that got so well prepared by his cousin, they failed him for cheating. His cousin (they often ask about relatives in the Patrol in the beginning) got Weingartened (you'll learn about that) but they couldn't prove anything on his end so he got a walk.

Probably more of an answer than you expected, but I just don't want you getting dinged for something like that. Good luck! What state did you request?

skiboy says ...

Ive just applied to the Border Patrol...just wondering, will prior one time experimental drug use bar me from being selected?  I was at a party (wrong place, wrong time) and let my hair down a little bit....I tried coke...one time, just to see what it was and i got sick because it tasted so bad...this was like 3 years ago....everybody has tried at least one thing in their life, right? I am a Navy veteran that has served for 6 years...the summer I got out was when this occured....

If you're honest about it the incident you have a chance. Coke is a little more serious than mj (different class) so I don't know how they are going to look at that. Also 3 years is not too far in the past but I don't think that will be the deal breaker. The background check may be pretty lax or very thorough (sending people to talk with your neighbors, co-workers, etc). Be honest.

BTW, not everyone has tried at least one thing in their life.

Being a 6 year veteran will also stand in your favor. Thank you for your service! Good luck!

cmichaels says ...

My test is coming up this month. I couldnt reach a recruiter to ask my questions.  I was hoping maybe someone on here would know.  My concern is my credit.  I was DQd from my local Sheriffs dept for my recent issues. Is the Border Patrol as stringent in that area? Thanks for any input.

It's hard to say not knowing your specific situation or how strict the SD is about credit. If you got turned down because of credit issues by your SD, I would be concerned about applying to the BP but do so anyway. What they want to see are two things:

1) Full disclosure of credit issues. Get your credit report and be certain to list everything that is an issue on your SF-86. Include an detailed explanation of the issue. There will be instructions included with your application packet.

2) How you are resolving the issues. Pay off any minor delinquencies and try to make a payment schedule with anything on the larger side. If it appears that you are taking some kind of action to address the issue, you are at least dealing with it. That's what they want.

Basically, they want people who demonstrate responsibility in their finances. That does not mean being perfect. Also they don't want someone so deep in financial ruin (or perpetually broke) that they present a greater risk of being susceptible to bribery or corruption.

SeanJon says ...

gonnabeacop says ...

i just got my appointment for the oral interview. anybody what they're gonna ask?

FYI, you are not supposed to have details on the oral board before taking the exam. Each board is different so most likely it wouldn't do you any good anyway but some questions are common. Board members are usually experienced. They know how many times you have taken the oral board (if ever) and can pretty much tell when the applicant is answering expected questions.

Also do not discuss the questions with anyone (i.e. other candidates) before or after the interview. If you are found engaging in any exchange of information at anytime that day you will be removed from further consideration. I'm not saying people don't got a heads up from friends, but do you really want to be the guy that cheated to get in? I heard about one guy that got so well prepared by his cousin, they failed him for cheating. His cousin (they often ask about relatives in the Patrol in the beginning) got Weingartened (you'll learn about that) but they couldn't prove anything on his end so he got a walk.

Probably more of an answer than you expected, but I just don't want you getting dinged for something like that. Good luck! What state did you request?

 i apologize, i never looked at it as cheating, but i see your point. the only reason i asked is, when i applied to fbi police i took the test, then an hour later i was in an oral interview. being that i had no idea that they will be doing that the same day, and that they didn't ask questions that i've been asked in previous oral interviews i kind freaked, and failed.

the state i chose was arizona, but i'm sure they'll put where i'm needed correct?