Thread: KY-OWENSBORO - Nearly 1,400 miles...

OWENSBORO - Nearly 1,400 miles...
Border Patrol Seeks New Recruits in Tri-State - view video
Dated: 07/19/2008 22:34:55 Updated: 07/19/2008 23:10:53

story by: Jonathan Lee

OWENSBORO - Nearly 1,400 miles from the Mexican border, U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents came looking for new recruits in Owensboro, Kentucky this weekend. The push is part of an effort to fill thousands of new positions, and for some, the timing couldn't be better.

Two years ago, Congress passed legislation to boost Border Patrol agent numbers from 11,000 to 20,000 by the end of 2009. Recruiters hope to fill 3,500 positions this year, and they are looking beyond the Southwest to do it.


"The main reason is because we need diversity in the Border Patrol," said Assistant Chief Michael Douglas. "We have people from all over the country that have different ideas, different approaches, and we need to incorporate that into how we do our job."

Douglas usually works out of Marfa, Texas but is spending a year on the road to find the new hires. Recruiting teams are courting minority candidates nationwide, not just with information sessions, but at NASCAR races and bull-riding contests.


To qualify, you don't have to have a college degree or even speak Spanish. Applicants must be 18 to 40 years old with no felony or domestic violence convictions. They must have a valid driver's license and be willing to relocate at their own cost. They must also pass a written exam and a physical test.

Then there is the training: 19 weeks in a remote New Mexico town. Only about one in 30 applicants completes the rigorous process. Upon completion, every new recruit gets a post in Southern Texas or California, stopping illegal aliens, drugs and contraband.

Is it dangerous? Experienced agents say yes, but not all the time.


"All law enforcement jobs are dangerous," Douglas explained, "but the training we provide... minimizes those dangers."


It may sound like a significant sacrifice to move hundreds of miles from home for a hazardous job in a remote border town. In these economic times, though, a solid salary and benefits are proving attractive to far-removed applicants. Rookies make about $45,000 the first year.


Recruiters talked to about 100 Tri-Staters on Friday and Saturday. Robert Hays, 29, wants to ditch his night shift manufacturing job in Bowling Green, Kentucky.


"You got good benefits and 401k and stuff like that. It's just a chance to better myself," he said.



Veteran Jason Goetz, 38, is considering bringing his military experience to the agency.



"I was in the Air Force for seven years," said Goetz. "Although I've fulfilled my duty, it would be a way to continue to give back to my country."


That is how Douglas got involved, while living in Colorado. The recruiter's past is perhaps why the Tri-State search came straight to Owensboro.


"Born and raised in Maceo, Daviess County High School," Douglas proclaimed proudly.


Customs and Border Protection Commissioner W. Ralph Basham also happens to be an Owensboro native.


Recruiters plan to return to the Tri-State soon. In the meantime, anyone can apply online at URL Link



http://idexer.com/2008/07/20/owensboro- ... miles.html

Sounds so good