The United States Customs and Border Patrol is a bureau of the United Sates Department of Homeland Security. Customs and Border Patrol are our first line of defense against incursions against Homeland Security from criminals outside of the United States . Customs and Border Patrol employ agents who ensure that the illegal traffic of contraband substances, weapons and illegal aliens is prevented. The United States Department of Labor predicts that, in order to ensure proper homeland security, by the year 2010 we will need twenty nine percent more FBI agents, police officers, Private Eyes, Customs officials and Border Patrol agents. Jobs in these professions are important for all Americans to fill.

Border Patrol Agent jobs include the prevention of entry of terrorists and terrorist weapons, drug interdiction, and the smuggling of contraband substances and illegal aliens across the border. This is done by a process called “line-watch” detection. This process involves the apprehension of undocumented aliens and smugglers through covert surveillance, following leads, using infra-red scopes on night-time reconnaissance, the use of sighting aircraft and old fashioned tracking, using physical evidence such as footprints or vehicle tracks. For these reasons people filling Border Patrol Agent jobs need to be physically fit and highly trained in the use of a vast array of technological equipment and weaponry.

The US Customs and Border Patrol employ over 40,000 people in three main “offices”: The Office of Field Operations, the Office of Border Patrol and the Office of Customs and Border Patrol Air and Marine. The Office of Border Patrol desperately needs to fill Border Patrol Agent jobs on patrol of the Southwest Border. You can be one of these people. Border Patrol Agent Jobs are grueling and involve long hours, but are incredibly rewarding not only to your sense of patriotism but to in financial terms too.

After being accepted for a Border Patrol Agent job, you will go on five months paid training, during which you will under go instruction in immigration and nationality law, Spanish, physical training and marksmanship. As soon as this training is finished and all tests are passed you will be come a fully qualified agent. The benefits of the profession are clear, in addition to generous annual leave, full health and life insurance, medical aid and uniform allowance; you will qualify for a Law Enforcement retirement at the age of fifty after a minimum of 20 years service or at any age after 25 years as a Border Patrol Agent. Jobs in Border Patrol pay between $36,000 and $53,000 per annum wit up to twenty five percent of your basic salary extra in overtime.

There are a few requirements you need to fulfill before applying for your Border Patrol Agent job. You are required to be a United States Citizen, and in the possession of a valid US drivers license. In order to qualify for the written exam you will need to be under the age of forty, and have either a bachelor's degree or higher or combination of education and experience, or a qualification from an organization such as Criminal justice Online. You will be subject to random drug tests and be required to pass a physical fitness test, an eye test and a hearing test. So if the wide open spaces and the pride of defending your country is what you seek, apply for your Border Patrol Agent job now!