Check out relevant news and media that features or may interest the CBP Veteran community.
CBP was recognized as a Military.com Top 25 Employer for Veterans 2025. Employers are selected for the list based on their dedicated veteran hiring team, commitment to providing internships to transitioning veterans, and the clarity of the call-to-action on their website. Check out CBP's National Media Release which notes that CBP was the only federal agency to be recognized.
We are proud to share that more than a third of our workforce are veterans! If you are a veteran seeking employment, connect to a recruiter.
Visit the National Museum of the American Indian: Native Americans in the United States Armed Forces to learn more about the generations of Native Americans who have served in the armed forces of the United States.
The 2001 movie Black Hawk Down is based on the Battle of Mogadishu, which took place on October 3, 1993, when the U.S. sent special forces into Somalia to capture senior members of a violent civilian militia. One of the brave Army Rangers who fought for 15 hours that day is CBP's own Agent Adalberto Rodriguez. Listen to his story:
On October 29, 2024, Congresswoman Monica De La Cruz presented CBP Officer / US Navy Veteran Senior Chief Mike Sandoval his Congressional Record and recognized him for his recent military deployment to Djibouti, Africa, at the McAllen Performing Arts Center in McAllen, Texas.
Congresswoman De La Cruz said "Madam Speaker, today, I have the distinct honor of welcoming home Chief Michael Sandoval of the United States Navy from his deployment in Djibouti, Africa. Senior Chief Sandoval led the boat maintenance facility, overseeing 22 sailors and ensuring that all patrol boats were ready for critical missions in the area. His leadership and dedication were vital as his team launched and operated four patrol boats to safeguard Navy vessels, maintaining a strong security posture and a 360-degree perimeter until all vessels safely departed. In addition to their vigilant patrols, Senior Chief Sandoval and his team played a crucial role in training local Djibouti forces, enhancing their defensive tactics and strengthening partnerships. His service exemplifies the best of our military: strong leadership, a commitment to excellence, and dedication to the security of our great Nation. Madam Speaker, on behalf of our community, we welcome him home and thank him and his team for their service. May God bless him."
CBPO Sandoval is a credit to all our veterans in CBP, to the US Navy, and to the men and women that benefit from his continued service.
Hurricane Helene wasn’t the only one to make an impact in Savannah last week. The Department of Veteran Affairs (VA), U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and Georgia Air National Guard assisted veterans from around the country with VA Healthcare enrollment, disability claims, on-site examinations, and information about expanded veterans’ benefits.
The 165th Airlift Wing hosted the event with personnel on-site from CBP’s Veteran Support Program (VSP), VA’s Office of Field Operations (OFO), Atlanta Regional Office, Medical Disability Examination Office (MDEO), and support from Veteran Support Officers (VSOs) and Vet Center personnel from the surrounding area.
Despite the challenges created by the storm, almost 350 veterans had the opportunity to file claims and receive examinations over the course of the three-day event. Veterans came to the event with mixed feelings about the VA; many having waited years to have their claims resolved. VA Secretary McDonough has made supporting these and other outreach events a cornerstone in his plan to “have a relationship with every veteran in the country”. Many Veterans left the event with disability ratings the same day they arrived. But—maybe more important than numbers served—by the end of the weekend, most expressed appreciation for the support rendered; having witness the extraordinary efforts made to conduct this event on their behalf.
This Fastrack Enrollment event and Veterans’ Claims Clinic (VCC) marks the second time the VA has partnered with CBP in support of local Veteran communities. The first event in June served 588 Veterans from El Paso, surrounding communities in NM, AZ and TX areas as well as individual participants from around the country. Almost 1,000 Veterans have been supported during these two events, and both agencies are looking forward to future events around the country.
On November 12, 2024, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Veteran Support Program (VSP) assisted the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Baltimore Regional Office at a disability claims clinic hosted by the Fleet Reserve Association (FRA). In all, 80 veterans attended the event while 21 had claims processed and received exams on-site – some even received their disability rating the same day. This event was part of FRA’s week-long Centennial Celebration.
Representatives from the Disabled American Veterans and the local Veteran Center provided information about veteran benefits and assisted with disability claims. The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) enrolled veterans in VA Healthcare and explained changes to eligibility due to the expansion of the PACT Act in April of 2024. The Veterans Benefit Administration (VBA) processed disability claims while the VA’s Medical Disability Examination Office performed on-site medical examinations.
This event marks the third time CBP has partnered with the VA to conduct a Fastrack Claims Clinic with the support of the Medical Disability Examination Office in 2024. After this, and similar events in El Paso, Texas (June 2024), and in Savannah, Georgia (September 2024), more than 1,000 veterans from CBP, law enforcement, first responder, and local border communities have had the opportunity to have their claims resolved – highlighting CBP’s dedication to Workforce Care, as well as the importance of committed interagency partnerships and community support.
VA Secretary Dennis McDonough spoke at the FRA convention and stopped to talk with veterans attending the event. CBP’s VSP National Program Manager Matthew Purdy thanked Secretary McDonough for the VA’s support and commitment to serving those who served.
