Border Patrol Agent

[zxcvbnm]

A CBPO in Calexico or Otay Mesa will see far more excitement day-to-day than a PA in Noyes, MN or Scobey, MT.

Yeah but you're only there if you wanted to be there.

[merlin436]

Yeah but you're only there if you wanted to be there.

True.

That said, most CBPO's who spend years sitting in a booth are also only there because they want to be.

[GitmoVet]

I'm shotgunning it. BPA seems like the most interesting job, but I also have apps for CBPO, Air Marshal and IEA. I need to get out of the dead end job I'm in now, and it seems like I wasted all my military time, so I'm trying to capitalize on it now.
For CBPO I put in for VT and for BPA I put in for San Diego which means I'll probably end up in Del Rio.

[SHU]

Anybody know the deal about changing geographical preferences? I know you use to be able to do this but recently since I heard CA does not have any more slots, I've tried to change my pref to AZ, by emailing the MHC. I've sent about 8 emails over the past four weeks with no reply. Anybody know the deal with this?

[SHU]

Disregard last post. I got the phone # off honorfirst.

[slinger2424]

Anybody know the deal about changing geographical preferences? I know you use to be able to do this but recently since I heard CA does not have any more slots?

Rumors Rumors....

My brother got the call last week and EODs on July 10, 2008 in San Diego Sector.

No one has mentioned anything about NOT getting any more applicants in the San Diego Sector. Just be patient, keep running, and studying Spanish and you will be in Artesia before you know it.

[jumbojack]

Along with location there's also the posibility of more money. COPRA OT( if you can get it) will pay far better than AUO.

Don't be fooled by the hype either. Yes, PA's will likely see more action, but there's action and inaction in either job.

CBPO's do far more than sitting in a booth at most locations outside of airports and some BPA's are stuck working checkpoints and sitting on X's. A CBPO in Calexico or Otay Mesa will see far more excitement day-to-day than a PA in Noyes, MN or Scobey, MT.

Is it true that cbpo's get promoted faster than bpa's?.... I read somewhere here that cbpo's can get from a gs-5 to a 7 or gs-7 to 9 right after the academy and after 6 mo. on the job as well.....

[SHU]

Rumors Rumors....

My brother got the call last week and EODs on July 10, 2008 in San Diego Sector.

No one has mentioned anything about NOT getting any more applicants in the San Diego Sector. Just be patient, keep running, and studying Spanish and you will be in Artesia before you know it.

Ray and JB said so on honorfirst so take it for what its worth. They said this info was from the MHC. I would much prefer SD sector, like your brother, but I've got to go with the odds. West Texas and NM are not places I want to be. But its all really a crap shoot when you get down to it. If I get offered a spot I'll be a retread so I doubt they will offer me a choice in the matter.

[SHU]

Is it true that cbpo's get promoted faster than bpa's?.... I read somewhere here that cbpo's can get from a gs-5 to a 7 or gs-7 to 9 right after the academy and after 6 mo. on the job as well.....

BPA get promoted after 6 months on the job. I do not know about CBPO. They are different jobs with a very different mindset on enforcement.

[merlin436]

Is it true that cbpo's get promoted faster than bpa's?.... I read somewhere here that cbpo's can get from a gs-5 to a 7 or gs-7 to 9 right after the academy and after 6 mo. on the job as well.....

No. CBPOs promote in 1 year increments roughly on their EOD anniversary.

The BP used to promote somewhat like that, back in the days of the 6 month and 10 month exams. I'm not sure how they do it today, especially as they're now hiring some NUGs at the GL-09 level.

[Chris Shiherlis]

Scheduled for my Oral July 11th.
Much faster than I anticipated.

BPA
tested/NOR-6/07/08
E-qip-6/16/08
mailed paperwork/fingerprints-6/20/08
PTA-6/26/08
Oral Board-7/11/08

Good luck on that GVT.

Anyone going to the 7/12 oral board in Columbus, Ohio? I was suprised to get a notice in the mail for that today, seeing as how I have two medical holds pending that I am trying to clear. This is also perplexing seeing as how I was only given the option for the oral in Cleveland in the application, now it is in Columbus? Happy about that, but confused. When I passed the written test and fitness test, I was all pumped, working out six days a week and brushing up on the espanol, but when I found out I had to go retake the EKG on my dime (drank an NOS energy drink before the phys...duhhh), I adopted the "if it happens it happens" attitude and put it on the back burner, now I am getting pumped about it again. Oh well, if anyone is going, I'll be the dude in the pink polo, olive khakis, and Italian shoes with a bald head.


BTW,

I am seriously gunning for SD sector as well. SoCal is by far my favorite part of the US.


BPA

Passed Written Test: 5/3/2008
Passed Fitness Test: shortly after that
Medical Clearance: pending two holds
MHC rcpt pre-employment forms: 5/22/08
Oral interview: 7/12

[madchiken]

I'll be the dude in the pink polo, olive khakis, and Italian shoes with a bald head.

You may want to rethink your "business" attire...

[Chris Shiherlis]

You may want to rethink your "business" attire...

I'll check it again, but I did not see "business attire" specified on the letter, and if you examine this thread, I think you'll find someone authoritatively announcing that slacks and a polo shirt is about fine.

[madchiken]

I'll check it again, but I did not see "business attire" specified on the letter, and if you examine this thread, I think you'll find someone authoritatively announcing that slacks and a polo shirt is about fine.

Just friendly advice from someone who has been there and done that... in the end it is your choice, but the "normal" attire is a suit and tie or similar.

[SHU]

Just friendly advice from someone who has been there and done that... in the end it is your choice, but the "normal" attire is a suit and tie or similar.

He is correct. Anything less than a suit and tie is just asking to get hammered. The oral can be a very unpleasant experience. I would not do anything to **** them off.