Patrol agents need to be self-motivated,
independent.
They have to be very comfortable with being on their own,
dealing with rapidly evolving and potentially dangerous situations.
Well, I think you need to be a role model.
You need to show your more junior members what it means to be
a good Border Patrol agent.
It is prideful to know that you're out there
protecting the rest of the United States.
Before the Border Patrol,
I actually worked in mental health for over ten years, probably close to twenty.
It was a great career, but it was very sedentary.
So when I heard about the Border Patrol and the idea of just being outside
and being able to take a more active role in stopping things like drug
trafficking or human trafficking, it really seemed like
something that I would be good at and something I would enjoy.
It's very fulfilling for me.
I'd say at this point I've
been in for thirteen years, I've kind of moved into more of a leadership role.
I'm a team lead for our Sensor program, so we have about five guys
working at our office.
We're very tight knit.
We work well together.
It's a really good work environment.
I am glad I came to Border Patrol.
My grandfather was law enforcement, my uncle is law enforcement.
My father is a firefighter.
So first responders, things like that run in my family.
And I just eventually found that that's where I was meant to be as well.
We need people to join that, know what they're getting themselves into
and that stick around so they can continue to use the experience
that they gained in this job.
There's just a lot of opportunity to do different things.
You have a lot of freedom here that you're not going to get at other agencies.
With being a smaller station, you kind of know everyone, so that's nice.
You have people from different shifts that will help you out if need be.
Each station is different.
Each area is slightly different.
Each area has so many different details.
Our ATV units, our prosecutions, our intel.
When we're fully operational, we have the Flex team,
which is our mountain team.
We have a rapid response team.
We've had hiking teams in the past.
There's so many different places that need someone
that's willing and able to step in and fill.
There's always a need for more people.
So absolutely go for it with all you've got.