Need some opinions quickly, URGENT!

[justintime2]

Without getting in to any details I need some advice from those in the know rather quickly as this is a time sensitive issue.

Anyone who has knowledge or experience with the Dept. of Homeland Security - Customs and Border Officer division please chime in.

-Horror stories of why someone shouldn't work for them
-things to consider before going to work for them
-postive reasons to go to work for them
-Anything at all from your experience I should know but havn't asked

PM me if needed so it doesn't end up public knowledge and I will keep it private.

TIA,

 

[Sirissac]

I was going to join the border patrol when I first got into law enforcement. I wouldn't recommend it if you have a family, because you are usually stationed somewhere along the mexican border when you start, not that this is bad in itself, but you put in long hours and from what I have heard, you are away from your family quite a bit. As you probably already know, that is one of the biggest border areas and is probably one of the most hectic. Things may have changed since then though. Other than that I have heard it can be a pretty fun job.

 

[Busa_05]

I don't have experience with Border Patrol really. I was looking into a job with them as well, but in the end didn't take it.

I have had alot of experience with INS investigators in the Milwaukee area, and from what I know their caseloads are out of this world. If you don't have a contact within your local office, and thus a direct line to call (with a party who knows you on the receiving end)...good luck EVER getting a phone call back on anything whatsoever.

From what I learned while deciding on a job with the front line officers; if you like working at night in an extremely dangerous environment, and love OT with very little of a life outside the job, then the Border Patrol is for you.

I have a buddy who had a job offer with Customs before the whole "Home Land Security" thing, and he is kicking himself daily for not taking it. Also, the Department of Energy is hiring HUGE...from I understand they are looking for skilled SORT personnel for the nuclear plants "down south." A buddy of mine who served in the Security Forces in the fleet is looking into a job with the DOE. That nuclear SORT stuff is right up his alley from what I understand.

 

[soon2be]

I considered the Border Patrol some time back. I know a girl who is working for them. She likes it. She started in Brownsville, TX and she is now in El Paso. As mentioned earlier, newbies are usually sent to the Mexican border (CA, AZ, NM, TX). When I was considering it, they would tell you your assignment before you reported to the Law Enforcement Training Center in Georgia. The pay is good once you get your time in and plenty of overtime if needed. Usually the cost of living is pretty low in the border towns/cities. With the creation of Homeland Security, I don't know how much it has impacted the Border Patrol. IMHO, the Mexican border is and will remain a hot topic in the years to come. There no risk of cutbacks in this area. Good luck if you go that route.

 

[justintime2]

Thanks for the feedback guys. I didn't accept the job for many reasons.

 

[05BUSABLU]

i live on the border, let me tell ya if you like long hours/overtime, and dont mind being away from the family. it could pay off well. its a busy job here and not much rest for the weary. them boys have their jobs cut out for them. i thought about it too, but just cant seem to spend that much time away from my wife.