Did you know the Border Jobs for Veterans Act is now the law?

Maj Mike Sciales — Fri, 23 Oct 2015 14:02:16 -0400

Border Jobs for Veterans Act of 2015

(Sec. 3) Directs the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to consider the expedited hiring of qualified candidates who have the ability to perform the essential functions of the position of a Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officer and who are eligible for a veterans recruitment appointment.

(Sec. 4) Requires DHS to enhance DHS efforts to recruit members of the Armed Forces who are separating from military service to serve as CBP officers. Requires such enhanced recruiting efforts to:

include CBP officer opportunities in relevant job assistance efforts under the Transition Assistance Program;
place CBP officials or other relevant DHS officials at recruiting events and jobs fairs involving separating members of the Armed Forces;
provide opportunities for local CBP field offices to partner with military bases in the region;
include outreach efforts to educate members of the Armed Forces with qualifications that are transferable to CBP officer requirements;
identify shared activities and opportunities for reciprocity related to steps in hiring CBP officers with the goal of minimizing the time required to hire qualified applicants;
ensure the streamlined interagency transfer of relevant background investigations and security clearances; and
include other elements to ensure that separating members of the Armed Forces are aware of opportunities to fill vacant CBP officer positions.

(Sec. 5) Directs DHS to report to Congress on DHS efforts to hire members of the Armed Forces who are separating from military service as CBP officers.

Response by Maj Mike Sciales made Oct 23 at 2015 2:03 PM

Maj Mike Sciales — Fri, 23 Oct 2015 14:03:34 -0400

They are actively looking for Vets! These are great jobs. All the Vietnam era people are retiring.

Response by SSG Warren Swan made Oct 23 at 2015 2:04 PM

SSG Warren Swan — Fri, 23 Oct 2015 14:04:07 -0400

I've heard of the program. Didn't know it became law.

Response by CPO Jason Meier made Oct 23 at 2015 6:37 PM

CPO Jason Meier — Fri, 23 Oct 2015 18:37:49 -0400

I honestly have never heard of this program.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 25 at 2015 9:14 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 25 Oct 2015 21:14:01 -0400

The DHS and before that the Justice Department has long given priority to veterans.

Both my older brother and I got our start in the US Border Patrol (then part of the Immigration and Naturalization Service under the DOJ), getting hiring preference due to our military service.

Nothing has changed, and veterans (and reservists) still make up a very significant portion of the workforce, both existing and new hires.

Response by SFC William Farrell made Oct 25 at 2015 10:06 PM

SFC William Farrell — Sun, 25 Oct 2015 22:06:14 -0400

Maj Mike Sciales Shortly after I got off active duty, I was appointed to the Border Patrol. During one of the pre- interviews in NYC, i had to bring my wife. Well one of the comments the investigating agent said was that there are dangers in the job; in fact we have had agents found with their throats slit on the border. When the appointment letter finally came, she told me she did not want to move to the California border and leave her family. she had no problem with me getting ready to be appointed to NYPD.

A few years later i got a chance to tour the border station and in fact the same one I got appointed to when we were on a military police exercise in southern Cal. Its a great job and I wish I had taken it, especially since my wife died years later. Well thats another story.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 9 at 2015 3:20 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 09 Nov 2015 03:20:30 -0500

I would love to be a productive member of the CBP and DHS to help do may part in securing the borders.