U.S. Customs and Border Protection

Protect America and secure your future - join the Border Patrol today!

What does a Border Patrol agent do?

The priority mission of the Border Patrol is to prevent terrorists and their weapons, including weapons of mass effect, from entering the United States.  Border Patrol agents patrol nearly 6,000 miles of international land border with Canada and Mexico and nearly 2,000 miles of coastal border.

Minimum requirements to apply:

• You must be a United States citizen under the age of 40
• You must have a valid driver’s license
• You must have one year of verifiable work experience or a bachelor’s degree
• You must pass a medical evaluation and drug screening
• You must pass a physical fitness test
• You must pass a thorough background check

What does the Border Patrol Academy consist of?

Each Border Patrol agent must attend the Border Patrol Academy in Artesia, NM and complete a rigorous 11-week (55 day) law enforcement academy with an additional 8-week (40 day) Spanish language program.  The academy is a paid, resident course of instruction in integrated law, physical training, firearms training, driving, and basic law enforcement skills and techniques.

Pay and Benefits:

• Depending on education and experience, agents can either start at the GL-5 ($35,595/year), GL-7 ($40,515/year), or GL-9 ($45,189/year).
• There is non-competitive career advancement up to the GS-11 ($52,912) level, plus an additional 25%, which equates to agents earning approximately $70K a year within the first three years of employment.
• Border Patrol Agents are eligible to retire at age 50 with 20 years of service, or at any age after 25 years of service.
• Border Patrol Agents enjoy affordable health, dental, and vision insurance; Law-Enforcement pension and Thrift Savings Plan (401K).
• Life insurance, long term care insurance, and extensive vacation and sick leave, are also some of the benefits.

Where to apply:

To apply and obtain additional information on the Border Patrol, or to locate a Border Patrol Recruiter in your area, visit: www.borderpatrol.gov

Posted: 6/23/08 (ongoing)