I have heard about the U. S. Border Patrol Academy, but never really looked into their organization until recently.  I had no clue about the border patrol academy schedule, or what is involved in the training of these great men and women who devote their daily lives to law enforcement and more.

Before I get into the U. S. Border Patrol Academy, and highlight their history, course descriptions, application process, I witnessed a great event this week.  I attended the funeral of my wife's uncle, George Bailey in Charlottesville.

Everyone in Albermarle County knew the man, honorable, dedicated...
(The Daily Progress)
After returning from a stint with the military during the Korean War, Bailey became the face of law enforcement in the county, where he served for more than three decades. He was the county’s sheriff for more than 15 years and served as the first county chief of police when the position was created in 1984... 

The church service had five or six rows of deputy sheriffs, and was just amazing to see.  When we left the church and walked to the grave yard (that George had managed for 40 years himself!), those same deputies lined the path in a frozen salute.  Tears came to my eyes. What a public servant, and an enforcer of the law.

Have you ever thought about public service and being a vital member of those men and women who secure our land.  We, as Americans, have a duty to participate in the democratic process of this great Republic, we can call and write our Congressional and Senatorial representatives about the issues that concern us, we can put up websites to spread news; but we can also SERVE and help secure our land.  Here follows a brief overview of the U. S. Border Patrol.

"The U.S. Border Patrol was established in 1924 with a staff of 450 officers. Its mission is to detect and prevent smuggling and unlawful entry of aliens into the United States. The Border Patrol is responsible for watching over 8,000 miles of U.S. border and is generally believed to be one of the busiest federal law enforcement organizations.

A crucial element to the successful completion of the Border Patrol mission is the professional instruction received by its new trainees. After completing the 19 week program of the Border Patrol Academy, trainees receive additional post-academy and on-the-job training in the field during their 12 month probationary period of employment. The U.S. Border Patrol and the Border Patrol Academy have long and proud histories reflecting high esprit de corps, achievement, and dedication to duty."

The Academy is located in Artesia, New Mexico, and Commissioner Bonner welcomed the first class there in 2004 and met the aspiring agents and said they were “training to become modern-day centurions, charged with guarding our country from all those who seek to harm us or violate our laws, whether they’re international terrorists or drug smugglers, illegal entrants or other criminals who intend to break our nation’s laws or who are likely to commit crimes in our country."

You will be required to take four different law course (nationality, immigration, criminal and statutory), Spanish, Operations, Firearms, Driving (pursuit, skid control and more), four wheel (oh yea!).  You can read all about it, links below. Agents earn between 35 and 45k a year, and you will live in Texas, California, or Arizona.  Other careers are available in other departmentss of the US Customs and Border Protection department.  After reading their website, you can contact an office closer to you and discuss the process and the training schedule with them.
 
Some of their accomplishments last year:
Performance and Accountability Report Fiscal Year 2007 (8mb PDF)
Statistical Highlights.
• Ports of entry: 327 (includes 15 preclearance stations)
• Border Patrol sectors: 20 (with 142 Border Patrol stations nationwide and 34 permanent checkpoints)
• Air units: 40 (2 Training locations and 2 Radar/Communications locations)
• Marine units: 31 (2 Training locations)
• Trade entries processed: 30 million
• Total revenue collected: over $33 billion (includes custodial and entity revenue)
• Illegal narcotics seized: 1.7 million pounds (represents narcotics held by CBP until disposal or destruction)
• Illegal alien apprehensions between the ports of entry: 876,704
• Inadmissable aliens interdicted at the ports of entry: 207,368
• Pedestrians and passengers processed: 414 million
• Conveyances processed: 124 million 6

There is a huge amount of drug activity, human trafficking, crime, and these agents need our support, our prayers, and we need to acknowledge their great efforts.  We know they are spread thin, and its a dangerous career. God Bless and protect them.
Resource Links:
US Customs and Border Protection Home Page
Performance and Accountability Report Fiscal Year 2007
History of the US Border Patrol and the Academy
Course Descriptions 
The Application Process
How to apply
General contact information, 
Phone Number Sheet