FAQ's
TOPICS
1. What do these Acronyms
stand for and the Supervisory Rank Insignia?
2. I want to leave my vehicle at the Artesia
academy, how is the security?
3. Is it mandatory to take time off after
the academy or can you just report to your duty station
that same weekend?
4. Does the BP also pay for that trip back
to you duty station?
5. How many days do trainees accumulate at
the academy?
6. What is the graduation day like?
7. What is a 60 Day letter?
8. Does being Federal employee give us any
rights on a military base?
9. Who pays for my airline ticket and motel
expenses when I EOD?
10. What is Artesia, New Mexico mailing
address?
11. Which station is the best or worst?
12. Why do I have to report to my sector/station
before going to the academy?
13. Who pays for the move to my initial
duty sector/station?
14. Should I move my spouse/family closer
while I'm at the academy?
15. When should I move my family to my sector/station
area?
16. Should I resign due to an injury at
the Academy?
17. Application - Ten Month Test
18. The Hiring Process
19. What can I do to physically get ready
for the academy?
20.
Q: What
do these Acronyms stand for?
A:
ALT - Artificial Language Test
NOR - Notice of Results
TO - Tentative Offer
EOD- Enter On Duty (date)
EO - Equal Opportunity
AUO - Allowable Uncontrollable Overtime
UDA - Undocumented Alien
Borstar - Border Search Trauma and Rescue
Bortac - Border Rescue Tactical
Borcap - Border Patrol Criminal Alien
Program
FTO - Field Training Officer
BPA - Border Patrol Agent
SPA - Senior Patrol Agent
SBPA- Supervisor Border Patrol Agent
FOS - Field Operation Supervisor
SOS - Special Operation Supervisor
APAIC - Assistant Patrol Agent In Charge
PAIC - Patrol Agent In Charge
ACPA - Assistant Chief Patrol Agent
DCPA - Deputy Chief Patrol Agent
CPA - Chief Patrol Agent
To get a complete list!
Supervisory rank (Insignia designations
are based solely on supervisory title, not grade)."
HQBOR:
Chief- 4 stars
Deputy Chief-3 stars
SECTOR:
Chief Patrol Agent: 2 stars
Deputy Chief: 1 star
Assistant Chief: Eagle
PAIC: Silver Oak Leaf
APAIC: Silver Oak Leaf
FOS./SOS/Watch Cmdr: Gold Oak Leaf
SBPA: Double Bars
BP ACADEMY:
Chief: 2 stars
Deputy Chief: 1 star
Assistant Chief: Eagle
Training Ops Supv. (TOS): Gold Oak Leaf
SBPA (Instructors): Double Bars
[TOP]
Q: How is the
security at Artesia, New Mexico? I intend to drop my car
at the academy before I EOD. Do they have decent police
coverage and security?
A: The Artesia FLETC main
center is 220 acres and is fenced around the entire acreage.
We have 24 hours, 7 day a week, 365 days a year security.
The entire campus is patrolled by armed guards. If a BP
agent would like to bring his vehicle to the Center and
leave it, he can rest assured that it will be safe. The
agent can enter the Security Office, identify themselves
as an agent and obtain a parking pass for the duration
of his time here.
[TOP]
Q: Is
it mandatory to take time off after the academy or can
you just report to your duty station that same weekend?
A: Your station isn't really
ready for you if you come in. When you first arrive you
are assigned to a Field Training Unit (FTU). They have
to have your group go through the whole orientation thing,
get your O/C, radio, forms filled out, qualifications
at the range, etc. before you'll get out in the field.
They'll probably just give you some sort of administrative(light-duty)
type task or building maintenance duty. Just take the
time off. You'll be plenty busy after you get going.
[TOP]
Q: Does the BP also
pay for that trip back to you duty station?
A: Yes they pay for your
airplane ticket back to your duty station, or if you choose
to go home instead of to your station first, they will
reimburse you the amount that it would have cost them
to fly you back to the duty station. You have to get prier
request from your Lead Law Instructor and also right a
memo with receipts to turn in to get refunded.
[TOP]
Q: How many days do trainees accumulate
at the academy?
A: Usually 40 hours, which
gives you 5 days plus your 2 days off, so a total of 7
days.
[TOP]
Q: What
is the graduation day like?
A: Typical Graduation Day
Monday 6:45 am Formation - All the classes were there
getting inspected by there leaders, the class got inspected.
That lasted until about 7:30 am. Then the class started
marching off and all other classes followed.
7:30 Graduating class marched straight to
the chow hall for breakfast with there family and friends.
This is when to get the chance to meet some of the instructors
and get some pictures. Breakfast lasted until about 9:00
am.
Make sure you bring money if you plan on eating.
Then you go to the dorm room to finish packing
things.
10:00 a.m. they took everyone to the auditorium
for the graduation.
To get a good seat arrive at the graduation room about
30 minutes prior to graduation. If you want to be right
there when they march in as a class, it is best to sit
by the door. Seats fill up real fast.
An agent spoke to the families prior to my husbands graduation
ceremonies and told us that this wasn't just their graduation,
but that it was for us too. We as significant others and
families had supported and waited for 4-5 months for this
huge event to take place. So, we were told that we could
get up and move around to take pictures - just as long
as we did not get in the way of the trainees or those
who were running the program. It was formal up front,
but in regards to families-they could move around and
take "the picture". Just FYI. It could change,
this was the way it was for my husbands graduation.
Graduation started at 10:30 or a little
later. Graduation lasted for about 2 hours. A few people
spoke and offered the class good luck and so forth. They
then handed out academy awards for "top dogs"
in PT, driving, shooting, etc. Once that was completed,
badges are handed out--one at a time, by name, like a
true graduation. After that, they take the Border Patrol
oath and then are dismissed as a class. They will them
march out as a class for the last time. Once graduation
was over with then they go and get there guns and are
free to leave.
You leave the same day to go home. Some
of the guys that flew home had to wait till tuesday to
leave (official travel day)(that was on the governments
dime).
Pretty much that is it. There are a lot
of great opportunities to get some great pictures before,
during and after graduation.
[TOP]
Q: What is a 60
Day letter?
A: The 60 day letter is
the letter you get once you have completed every step
in the hiring process, just waiting for "the CALL"
of a job offer.
[TOP]
Q: Does being
Federal employee give us any rights on a military base?
A: We are not allowed to shop at the
BX/PX or the commissary there on base. Some bases may
let us eat at their dinning facility, and the agent only
might be able to use their gym.
[TOP]
Q: Who
pays for my airline ticket and motel expenses when I EOD?
A: You are responsible
for all costs when you EOD (your flight to your station,
hotel and your eateries). The government will start to
pick up the tab for your airline ticket on Wednesday (usually)
when you head to the academy.
[TOP]
Q: What
is Artesia, New Mexico mailing address?
A: FLETC
(agent's name)
A_USBPI-501
1300 W. Richey Ave.
Artesia, NM 88210
[TOP]
Q: Which
station is the best or worst?
A: It depends on what your
needs are!
- Are you married
- Are you single
- Do you like remote areas
- Do you like small or large stations
- Do you have any medical needs that you or someone in
your family need to have quick access to a major hospital
- Do you want the big city life
- Do you want to REALLY work or are you okay with sitting
on an X
- State tax
- Housing prices
- Cost of living
- Vehicle registration/insurance
- Firearms laws
- Hunting/Fishing Regulations
- Political/Cultural issues
- Does the local gene pool offer any decent dating possibilities?
When you can answer these questions, then
you can get some great feed back that is tailored just
for you.
[TOP]
Q: Why
do I have to report to my sector/station before going
to the academy?
A: The reasons you have
to report to YOUR SECTOR/STATION before going on to the
academy is so you can feel out paper work, get sworn in
by the chief usually, choose medical insurance, and this
also gives you a chance to back out one more time BEFORE
the Government’t flies you to one of the academies.
You DO NOT move your family until you have
graduated the academy. The reason you don’t move
your family until then is because you don’t know
if you can make it through the academy due to the stress,
family issues, academics, you get hurt, or you plan don’t
like it.
[TOP]
Q:Who
pays for the move to my initial duty sector/station?
A: You are responsible
for all costs to get you moved to your sector/station
(keep the receipts for your taxes because they are
deductible.)
[TOP]
Q: Should
I move my spouse/family closer while I'm at the
academy?
A: This isn't a good
idea! Family can be distracting and they will be
frustrated with the little amount of time that you
actually get to spend with them. Some have moved
their spouse/family near by and have been successful,
but it is highly discouraged!
[TOP]
Q: When should
I move my family to my sector/station area?
A: It is recommended
that you do not move your family to your sector/station
area until after they pass the academy. Some move
before completion of the academy which is not a
good idea. Some move after the 7 or 10 month tests.
It all depends on what is best for your family.
Q: Should
I resign due to an injury at the academy?
A: Never,never,
never, never, never, never, never, never, never,
never opt to resign due to an injury at the academy.
If you are hired, you are hired.
If you sustain an injury at the academy that keeps
you from graduating, you can go back to your station,or
home, on COP(Continuation Of Pay). COP is where
you continue to receive your pay as if you were
ON DUTY, for a period of 45 calendar days from
the date of the injury. COP includes night differentials
and AUO overtime according to whatever shift you
are regularly assigned to at the time of your
injury (i.e.: if you are working mid's and get
injured, you continue to get paid your midnight
pay). Once you recover and are certified by your
doctor fit for "full duty", you can
return to work, or in your case as a trainee,
you can go to your station and work admin duties
until another class opening at the academy becomes
available. Then, you return to the academy.
Admin duties, at present, are abundant
due to the fact that the BP has not been hiring
enough admin people to do all the support functions
that are essential. My evidence of that is the
fact that there are all kinds of "able bodied"
agents all over that are doing admin type jobs
just to keep the organization running (i.e. time
and attendance keepers, garage mechanics, etc.).
Now, the idea of re-treading, that
is the deciding factor in this equation. Do you/are
you willing to go back and retread? Many have
thought it was worth it.
Q: Application
- Ten Month Test
A: Looks like you
are JUST beginning to investigate the BP.
You must first fill out an application to take
the BP entrance exam (go to honorfirst.com to
do this).
Then a letter will be mailed to
you when/where that test will need to be taken
at.
Then comes the waiting and the NOR
(notice of results). You need to get a 70% or
higher to get a TO (tentative offer)
Once a TO has been sent (if your
husband/spouse passes with a good enough score),
a package of forms will be mailed to you. This
is called a SF-86 (I believe). This form you will
need to fill out will include ALL the information
about your life. Where you have lived, worked,
etc.
Then you will have a medical, vision,
and hearing evaluation that will need to be done.
After that you will have a BI come
and visit you and all your friends you listed
on you SF-86. This person needs to investigate
your past and make sure you are a trustworthy,
credible person.
Next comes the oral board. A panel
of BPA (normally 3) who invite you into a room
and ask you some questions which you need to ask
as honestly as possible. They will then excuse
you and talk amongst themselves to decide if you
would make a great BPA or not. They will then
invite you back in and tell you yes or no. If
they say no, you can go back in 6 months and try
again.
After, during, and a lot more to
come: waiting!
Once everything has been approved,
passed, and okayed-you get "THE CALL"
which means someone will call to tell you which
station you will be working at and what class
you will be in at one of the Academy's in order
to EOD(EOD-enter on duty).
You will need to pay your own way
when you EOD to your station (approximate 2-3
days). The government does NOT pay your way until
you fly to the academy(they pay for your plane
ticket). After the plane ride, they pay you for
your time in training, room and board and meals.
The duration of the BP Academy is
19 weeks long. Family members are encouraged to
stay behind and NOT move with their spouse when
at the academy. It is doable. Its hard, but you
have come to the right place for support. Once
the BPA-t (t for the trainee-will keep this title
up until a year has been passed). After 4:30 p.m.
(on most days), its your time. Meaning you can
call home, go off base, study, clean, iron, and
polish your uniforms-what ever. Learning Spanish
is a must.
7 months after EOD, a BPA-t must
take an exam to prove that he/she has stored all
his/her knowledge over the past 7 months. If the
agent passes, they get to move on. If the agent
fails-they must start all over again to the VERY
beginning.
Again at 10 months, there is another
exam. Once the agent passes this exam, they get
to keep their jobs (for the most part) and coast
through for 14 more months to earn their 2 year.
Once that happens they are an official BPA and
off of probation.
You MUST/HAVE to work on the SOUTHERN
border 1st. In order to work on the Northern border-you
have to earn your time. It's a long wait!
This is a lot of info in a nut shell.
You will learn a lot more if you are indeed interested
in the BP. Just come and visit here on the BP
spouses board or to Honorfirst.com for more hiring
help and questions.
Good Luck!
[TOP]
Q: The
Hiring Process
A: First you
have to take the test. You might be notified
by email of your NOR (notice of results) then
you will get a copy in the mail in a couple
weeks.
After that you wait. Then, the
BP HQ will draw what are called "certification
scores". These scores are arrived by the
needs of the BP for the different regions. For
example, if South Texas needs 200 new agents
HQ will get out its list of applicants that
are arranged numerically by test score. They
then count down 200 people and look at that
persons test score. That score is the "certification
score" for South Texas for that draw. Lets
say that 200th score was an 86. Everyone with
a South Texas preference with a score of 86
and above at that time will be slated to get
a TO (tentative offer). Everyone below 86 gets
to wait longer.
When you get your TO it is a packet
full of all kinds of forms and paperwork that
has to be filled out and returned to the BP
by a certain date. Most of the forms in this
packet can either be downloaded from the net
or other applicants like myself can send them
to you. It is a good idea to get busy downloading
these forms ASAP. It is a lot of info to have
to get together.
This part is not always in this
order but you will do each of these.
Then shortly after you get your
TO you are scheduled to take a medical, vision
and hearing exam somewhere close to where you
live. You might have to drive across town or
down the street depending on what clinic they
send you to. You go do this and then wait again.
You will be notified of your OB
(Oral Board). It will most likely be right there
in or near the town you live in. You might have
to drive 5 minutes or 4 hours and spend the
night in a motel.
You will then be contacted by
your BI (background investigator). They will
schedule an in person meeting with you. They
will also be going to talk to your friends and
coworkers and bosses at current and past jobs.
You will be notified to take a
drug screen (whiz quiz).
After you have successfully completed
each and every one of these steps and you "clear"
security and get what is called a "60 day
letter". This letter will notify you that
you have successfully completed and passed all
of the requirements for the BP and you will
hear something from the BP within 60 days about
where and when to report for duty. This letter
is horribly named. 60 days will most likely
be between 120-500 days.
Then when the BP is ready to hire
new agents to send to the academy for training
they will call and offer you a station and an
EOD (Enter On Duty) date. You might get lucky
and get a choice of a couple stations to choose
from and a date to report. You decide then EOD
(enter on duty) and go to the academy.
And then you’re done.
Oh, during this entire process
you should be running and working out to get
yourself in the best physical condition you
can possibly be in for the academy. The BP academy
is the toughest academy in law enforcement (so
I have been told) and you need to be ready.
More people flunk out of the academy because
they get hurt in PT due to stress fractures
in their legs from running. You don’t
want that to happen to you.
Good luck and study for that test.
You want to make the best possible score you
can.
Turk
[TOP]
Q:
What can I do to physically get ready
for the academy?
A: It
will be very hard to maintain your size
at the academy... and you probably won't
want to.
Each PT session lasts
2 hours. That's 50 minutes of push ups,
sit ups, squat thrusts and jumping jack
s.... and then you run for 30 to 45
minutes. A 200 lb person is going to
burn over 1500 calories during such
a session.
If you want to prepare
correctly, do the following routine:
1) hold the push up position
for 2+ minutes and then do 25 pushups.
2)75 flutter kicks
3) 30 more pushups
4) 40 crunches
5) 10 squat thrusts (body builders)
6) 20 sit ups
7) 20 jumping jacks
8) 50 flutter kicks
9) 25 pushups
10) 10 squat thrusts
11) 20 sit ups
12) 20 pushups
13) 40 crunches
14) 20 pushups
15) 50 flutter kicks... hold legs in
the air for 20 seconds
16) 10 squat thrusts
17) 30 jumping jacks
HYDRATE
....and then run 3 miles.
If you can do that routine
at your current weight then keep lifting.
You'll be amazed at how
few 'muscle heads' there are at the
academy and at the fact that the 'smaller'
guys actually do better in PT
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