US Customs and Border Protection FAQ

Benefits package, free school tuition for kids at Ramey School

Rotating shifts and days off... no Saturday and Sunday

None

Extremely great pay. It's tough the first two or three years, but automatic pay raises get you great money very quickly. CBP has great training. There are many opportunities to advance, or to put in for other positions and/or agencies. CBP is definitely a place to have a career. Great benefits, retirement, etc.

Not for the faint of heart. You wear a gun and train for deadly force for a reason. This can be a very hazardous job. Also, you have to "give up" your life. Overtime is mandatory, and most times you do not know you are doing mandatory overtime until 1 or 2 hours before your shift is over. Many, many days of 16 hours. By the time you get home and manage to fall asleep, the alarm goes off. This can happen once or twice a week, or even up to 4 times per week. No time for family. If you are single, it is great. If not, well it is NOT great.

Listen more to what the bargaining officers are saying. Allow them to have a life outside of the over-intense work schedule.

Pay, Benefits, Medical, Dental, Vacation

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After the first few to several years working at the border there are a lot of opportunity for diverse experiences within the agency besides solely working at the border. I am not an "office person" so enjoy the opportunity to work outdoors and being independent. Also, most of the private sector no longer offers a pension.

Many stations are located in remote areas -- some without good schools or employment opportunities for spouses, may work irregular shift hours, not a lot of political diversity, Some possible danger depending on assignment. Working at the freeway checkpoints are "a drag." 10-hour days.

Do not micro manage; it is counterproductive.

great benefits, great career, fulfilling work

long hours and lots of detail assignments away from home