Marine Interdiction Agent

[GJG7229]

Port Isabel is very small but you could rent a condo on the water for reasonable. I forget the town....but between Los Fresnos and Port Isabel is where a few MIA guys live. Brownsville is a bit of a drive. Last I heard out of the Sup's mouth is he wants everyone on a 1/2 hour recall distance.

As for family, South Padre Island....the beach is nice. Great fishing both offshore and ICW. Between Brownsville, McAllen and the other towns near buy there is every store you would ever need.

The only draw back IMO is the theft down there is a bit out of control. Dont let it deture you though......each duty station is what you make it.

Lets not forget some of the best food you will ever eat!!!!!

Hey, I'm from a small town in the area and just got picked for a MIA position down in Port Isabel. What's a typical day like for those guys? I work for CBP down in Brownsville, but I don't know much about what a typical day is like for them out there.

Any info from anyone would be appreciated. Do the guys stationed there have G-rides issued to them as well??

[GrouperGrabber]

I'm new to this forum, but got a COE for the November MIA positions. Former USCG BM2, coxn (25,41,18), BO (HL),OOD. MHC recieved my package last week, and still waiting for it to show up in CASS. Does anyone know a timeline as far as what to expect after submitting a package?

[Riv325]

Time Line

I'm new to this forum, but got a COE for the November MIA positions. Former USCG BM2, coxn (25,41,18), BO (HL),OOD. MHC recieved my package last week, and still waiting for it to show up in CASS. Does anyone know a timeline as far as what to expect after submitting a package?

If your an outside hire (which as far as I can tell includes former/current Coastguard even though they're a part of DHS) you can expect the whole process; written exam (if required), structured interview, physical/medical exam, background investigation, drug screening, etc., to take up to eight months. That's if no snags are encountered. There was a post on this thread not too long ago where an applicant was still waiting for his BI to clear and he had applied last summer if I'm not mistaken. I've been through this progression a couple times already. It took me 5 years to become a CBP Officer! Nonetheless, the process was a little quicker for my Border Patrol application: A mere 9 months that go around. I don't mean to discourage you, however it is a pretty time intensive application process. But well worth it. At least with this job, you won't be lusting for other positions in the future. I've heard of applicants passing up ICE Special Agent (1811) positions for this job so there must be something to it. Good luck with the process, just make sure that you stay on top of things and get any requests/curve balls thrown at you from MHC fulfilled ASAP. And don't hesitate to keep on top of them either. No shame in keeping the fire lit underneath their g-ride computer chairs.

[boat22]

Riv
Nice to see you on again. Have they given you a date for Fletc yet?
8 months...2 months down. 6 more to go.

[Riv325]

Hey boat, I was told that I should get my Firm Offer, EOD, and academy date (the July class most likely) sometime this week. Also of interesting note, rumors are starting to fly again that CBPO's may have the Air & Marine Basic waived. This policy seemed to have been squashed as of late. However, it would make sense considering the Air & Marine Basic is similar to the CBP Integrated Program and would simply be a refresher for CBPO's. Of course this is my opinion, I haven't attended the A&M Basic and I'm sure it's a great program with merits of its own, nonetheless, it would be a load off if I could go ahead and pass it on by. Looking forward to MLETP and the other advanced training. Already been stamping passports for way too long!

[boat_boy]

I'm new to this forum, but got a COE for the November MIA positions. Former USCG BM2, coxn (25,41,18), BO (HL),OOD. MHC recieved my package last week, and still waiting for it to show up in CASS. Does anyone know a timeline as far as what to expect after submitting a package?

Are you still serving on active duty?

[cicjqpp]

Hey boat, I was told that I should get my Firm Offer, EOD, and academy date (the July class most likely) sometime this week. Also of interesting note, rumors are starting to fly again that CBPO's may have the Air & Marine Basic waived. This policy seemed to have been squashed as of late. However, it would make sense considering the Air & Marine Basic is similar to the CBP Integrated Program and would simply be a refresher for CBPO's. Of course this is my opinion, I haven't attended the A&M Basic and I'm sure it's a great program with merits of its own, nonetheless, it would be a load off if I could go ahead and pass it on by. Looking forward to MLETP and the other advanced training. Already been stamping passports for way too long!

Lets just hope this rumor has some validity to it. I am scheduled for the June class and would be more than happy to give up my seat at FLETC. What a waste of 10 weeks but couldn't really complain about it , they are paying for you to go thru it.

[Coastie98]

Hey, I'm from a small town in the area and just got picked for a MIA position down in Port Isabel. What's a typical day like for those guys? I work for CBP down in Brownsville, but I don't know much about what a typical day is like for them out there.

Any info from anyone would be appreciated. Do the guys stationed there have G-rides issued to them as well??

Ya, they do have them. Brownsville is OK, not too expensive. Speak spanish or learn to. My wife who does not had a hard time as it seemed that the people aren't too friendly with you if you don't. (Not all, but many of them) Brownsville is right on the border too, but not the most relaxed place to go with our chosen profession. The island can be fun, but I had more fun visiting it than living on it. The causeway can be ridiculous during summer and spring break, and a lot of locals have this ridiculous thing about being "A Local". Fishing is great there though, if you like fishing as much as I do. Port Isabel is OK, but traffic kicks your butt too during the above mentioned times as well. Personally, I had a better time (Speaking of my "Married" life) when I lived in Brownsville though. Close enough to the beaches on SPI but not close enough to get sand all on your vehicle like on the Island. (Port Isabel gets that too) Brownsville is closer to Harlingen too, and that's a lot better than the others. Laguna Vista is a little past Port Isabel on the way to Harlingen, and that's a nice little community to live as well. No matter where down there you go, the Mexican food is great. (duh) This is all of course "My Opinion", and we all know what they say about those.... About the BI, still waiting. I sent MHC another email today, still waiting for her reply. We'll see. I am slated to take the BP exam on Feb. 13th, just to get my foot in the door. We'll keep ya posted. Good luck again and happy hunting.

[GrouperGrabber]

AD Sep Date

Are you still serving on active duty?

I seperated 12JUL08. Where are you stationed?

[boat_boy]

I am down in New Orleans at the station. I am also a BM2 Coxswain, BO.

[GJG7229]

Ya, they do have them. Brownsville is OK, not too expensive. Speak spanish or learn to. My wife who does not had a hard time as it seemed that the people aren't too friendly with you if you don't. (Not all, but many of them) Brownsville is right on the border too, but not the most relaxed place to go with our chosen profession. The island can be fun, but I had more fun visiting it than living on it. The causeway can be ridiculous during summer and spring break, and a lot of locals have this ridiculous thing about being "A Local". Fishing is great there though, if you like fishing as much as I do. Port Isabel is OK, but traffic kicks your butt too during the above mentioned times as well. Personally, I had a better time (Speaking of my "Married" life) when I lived in Brownsville though. Close enough to the beaches on SPI but not close enough to get sand all on your vehicle like on the Island. (Port Isabel gets that too) Brownsville is closer to Harlingen too, and that's a lot better than the others. Laguna Vista is a little past Port Isabel on the way to Harlingen, and that's a nice little community to live as well. No matter where down there you go, the Mexican food is great. (duh) This is all of course "My Opinion", and we all know what they say about those.... About the BI, still waiting. I sent MHC another email today, still waiting for her reply. We'll see. I am slated to take the BP exam on Feb. 13th, just to get my foot in the door. We'll keep ya posted. Good luck again and happy hunting.

Ten four. I guess I didn't really explain myself. My bad. I'm already really familiar with the area since I'm from down there and am working for CBP in Brownsville. I guess my question was more about a typical work day for MIA's down in Port Isabel. Shift rotations? Patrols? Stuff like that...any info would be helpful.

[Coastie98]

That I can't help you with a whole lot. I was at the CG Sta there from 2002 - 2006, and back then they were as busy as we were. You should drop by there and talk to some of them. They're all a great group of guys, and I'm sure they wouldn't mind talking to you about their daily routine. A lot of them are former BP, so I'm sure they're pretty stoked about what they do.

[enufshuz]

I'm new to this forum, but I've been reading for some time. I found this forum very helpful. It was nice to see that I wasn't the only one ready to pull my hair out.
I recently recieved my COE for MIA for the Nov. announcement. MHC called me the night before I recieved my COE and told me that my BI and medical were already complete and they only needed 5 papers signed and returned to complete the pre employment process. So if any of you applied for a CBPO position in the last year, your medical and BI may transfer over and save months of waiting. just a heads up...
I called MHC today and they said that my package was being forwarded to scheduling. So what happens next? I was surprised to get through this quick......if I'm done? Those of you that recieved a TS for IEA know what I'm talking about.
Is there anything else that needs to be completed before I recieve a firm offer?

[Riv325]

I called MHC today and they said that my package was being forwarded to scheduling. So what happens next? I was surprised to get through this quick......if I'm done? Those of you that recieved a TS for IEA know what I'm talking about.
Is there anything else that needs to be completed before I recieve a firm offer?

I don't think so. I'm at the exact same juncture as you on this; my CASS shows me having been referred to scheduling for EOD. I called MHC and the lady I spoke with said I should receive a call with my firm offer and EOD sometime this week. It's mid-tuesday and the anticipation is killing me....

[Riv325]

I called MHC today and they said that my package was being forwarded to scheduling. So what happens next? I was surprised to get through this quick......if I'm done? Those of you that recieved a TS for IEA know what I'm talking about.
Is there anything else that needs to be completed before I recieve a firm offer?

Also, let me know if you get a Firm Offer and EOD this week, it will be interesting to see if they set us both up at the same time.