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Picture

This Week in USBP History, Vol. 73

1/22/2023

2 Comments

 

January 22 - January 28

PictureClick the photo to go to the PBR site.
Good morning!
 
Welcome to another This Week in USBP History!  
 
Recruitment and resiliency... Those are two worthy initiatives into which the USBP is pouring great resource and effort. 
 
For recruitment:
  • There are four job announcements on USAJobs, each with a $10,000 recruitment incentive upon successful completion of the academy, and an additional $10,000 recruitment incentive (for a total of $20,000) for applicants accepting positions in hard to fill locations.
  •  A Reinstatement Opportunity for Supervisory Border Patrol Agents is currently open.
  • The Patrol has spent $6,500,000 on a contract​ with the Professional Bull Riders, LLC in their recruiting efforts and may spend up to $17,000,000!
  • Also, the Patrol recently assigned full-time agent recruiters throughout the nation.
 
Resiliency is a newer concept in the Patrol and is designed to,  "Promote physical, mental, and emotional health for employees and their families" as per CBP's 2022-2026 Strategy.  The USBP's 2022-2026 Strategy statutes, "The USBP will continue to invest in resiliency programs and identify and pursue other work-life balance programs."
 
The U.S. Customs and Border Protection's Fiscal Year 2023 Congressional Justification supports the Patrol with $104.8 million for USBP Hiring/Training/Resiliency: 
  • Supports hiring an additional 300 BPAs ($65.3 million) and basic training throughput ($29.5 million).
  • Funds will also support improvements and advances in CBP employees’ overall well-being ($10 million).
 
As the Patrol faces dire projections in staffing, now and in the coming years, recruitment and resiliency are valuable and needed efforts.  However, neither address the concept that I consider to be the greatest influence on workplace staffing, leadership.
 
Remember, people generally don't quit jobs, people quit people.  Employees quit (or retire) because they have decided the imbalance of workplace stress versus workplace satisfaction favors their departure.  In other words, the leave because "It's just not worth it anymore."
 
Without going through a long, itemized list of reasons that employees leave, with complete confidence, I will say that good leadership absolutely mitigates attrition.  Good leadership is people focused and does more to reduce workplace stress than any collection of resiliency initiatives.
 
You see, good leadership is the uncredited foundation of Esprit de Corps (see below).  If an organization's Esprit de Corps is low, if organizational pride is suffering, if workforce morale is in the tank...  It is the responsibility and fault of those occupying positions of leadership, and is due to their bad leadership.  Bad leaders are the a$$holes and those failing to have a bias for the workforce.  They fail to correct things that are detrimental to the workforce and fail to initiate things that are beneficial.
 
The Patrol believes that those in Command Positions are automatically "leaders".  I argue that they are automatically managers of the mission.  Remember as Simon Sinek said, "It's not about being in charge. It's about taking care of those in your charge."  If a person in a command position is not taking care of those in their charge, they are not being a leader.
 
Today is an anomaly with only a 1925 document and two references from Joe Banco's books in the Documents/Events section.  
 
There are no known Newton-Azrak Award anniversaries for the week. However, I've highlighted the action of Michael G. McManus.  He was the first Border Patrol Agent to be a recipient of the Newton-Azrak Award in 1973.  His exact date of action is unknown.
 
We remember Border Patrol Agent Aurelio E. Valencia on the anniversary of his death.
 
Since there isn't too much reading in today's newsletter, let me invite you to explore the HonorFirst.com.  We have nearly 50 Border Patrol stories, nearly 2,000 photographs and tons of other interesting stuff
 
Have a great week!

Cliff
PS - 
  • As an open and continuous invitation to current and former USBP employees, I am always accepting photos to post in the USBP Photo Galleries and in the Upholding Honor First pages.  I sure would appreciate you visiting those pages and sending me anything that you think I could post (just send them to cliff@honorfirst.com).
  • As always, make sure to explore all of the hyperlinks to documents and pages.
  • Finally, please forward this blog to whomever you think may enjoy it.


Esprit de Corps
 
The workplace climate resulting from a combination of organizational pride and employee morale.
  • Organizational pride is the positive feeling experienced by employees from being part of a meaningful team that is rich in history, tradition and culture.
  • Employee morale is the feeling experienced by employee based in part on their perception of:
    • Being valued by the organization,
    • Fairly compensated, and
    • Performing meaningful work.
 
Esprit de corps is reinforced through the shared goals, mission and values of the organization and its employees.

The definition turns Esprit de Corps into a simple formula and defines parts that comprise organizational pride and employee morale.

Esprit de Corps = Organizational Pride + Employee Morale

Esprit de Corps is the key to a healthy organization and engaged employees.

​Honor First is foundational to the Border Patrol's organizational pride and integral to its Esprit de Corps.

Documents/Events

1925
  • On January 27, 1925, Commissioner-General William W. Husband (1871-1942) wrote a memo to Irving F. Wixon (1884-1962) who was the Commissioner of the Montreal District. A few of items of interest:  
    • The Border Patrol was an incredibly proud organization.  The quote below shows that that pride was instilled, in part, by the head of the agency,
      • “…our Border Patrol must not become subservient to any other service. We will work together but not underneath.” 
    • Evidently, $38K was requested to purchase and maintain vehicles.  $88K was given.  Further, the $1.0M budget for the USBP was approved a second year in a row, an indication of significant Congressional support.
    • The Bureau of Immigration received funding from Public Law 68-153, an approved appropriations bill (page 240), on May 28, 1924.  This document did not create the Border Patrol but funded the Bureau of Immigration to increase the "land-border patrol" functions of which were already being performed.  The Bureau of Immigration used the funding to create the Immigration Border Patrol, a concept that had been introduced as early as 1914 as per this document.  The Commissioner-General reinforces the sentiment in the following statement:
      • “The Bureau having succeeded in creating a permanent Border Patrol force…”
1980
  • From January 27, 1980 to February 27, 1980, a Lake Placid Operational Detail from the Rouses Point Station (ROB) consisting of Harry Van Leuvan (1923-1995​), John Koren, Thomas McGrath, Richard Walker, and John Ward were deployed to patrol and respond to incidents in what was designated as the Olympic Security area, which included Olympic venues and support facilities located both in the Swanton and Ogdensburg Sector AORs.
    • From - HONOR FIRST: The Story of the United States Border Patrol - Volume Three 1975-1999​ by Joseph Banco
1997
  • ...the first second-generation female agent to graduate from the U.S. Border Patrol Academy. On January 24, 1997, Jennifer A. Parra of Session 320 had her Border Patrol Agent badge pinned on by her mother, Senior Patrol Agent Hercilia Lopez, of the Fabens Station in El Paso Sector and a member of Session 178, who graduated in August 1985. SPA Lopez had the following to say about the significance of the event, “this shows that women are here to stay. This is a big thing for all women. We’re making our mark, and this second generation is a big step. The family connection did not stop there, as Hercilia Lopez’ husband and Jennifer Parra’s stepfather, Marco Antonio Lopez, is also a Border Patrol Agent at the Ysleta Station.
    • From - HONOR FIRST: The Story of the United States Border Patrol - Volume Three 1975-1999​ by Joseph Banco

Newton-Azrak Award Action Anniversaries

​Follow this link to see examples of USBP employees Upholding Honor First.
  • An organization’s values are codified in its awards system. Recognizing the achievements, service and heroism of employees is important.  It is critical for those in positions of leadership to value the workforce.  Awards are a fundamental manner for leaders to demonstrate appreciation to the workforce for upholding the organizational values. – U.S. Border Patrol Honorary Awards
The USBP Newton-Azrak Award Scroll
The USBP Newton-Azrak Award Scroll
There are no known Newton-Azrak Award anniversaries for the week. However, I've highlighted the action of Michael G. McManus.  He was the first Border Patrol Agent to be a recipient of the Newton-Azrak Award in 1973.  His exact date of action is unknown.
 
1973
Michael G. McManus
​(1937-2019)
Border Patrol Agent
Houlton Sector
Border Patrol Agent Michael G. McManus was recognized for his heroic and unselfish performance in rescuing a man from a burning building.  
 
McManus had been called out in the early morning hours by the Calais Police Department to question a Canadian citizen.  Upon leaving his house, he observed what appeared to be a prowler in the yard of his neighbor’s home.  However, upon investigating, he discovered it was not a prowler, but a visitor in his neighbor’s home who had fled from the house, which was on fire.
 
McManus, without thought of himself, entered the flaming house in search of his neighbor, was driven back out into the air, and once again entered the house, remaining until he located the unconscious victim and brought him safely out of the burning building.
 
BPA McManus’ actions did not end with rescuing the man from the flaming house.  Once outside, he then began resuscitation efforts and although exhausted from is efforts, continued his assistance by going to the hospital and helping the staff in removing the burnt clothing from the victim.


U.S. Border Patrol Badge with a Mourning BandU.S. Border Patrol Badge with a Mourning Band
USBP Fallen

As of December 7, 2022, the U.S. Border Patrol has suffered 153* fallen.
Titles:
  • 3 Mounted Watchmen fell before 1924 and are carried as Border Patrol fallen
  • 48 Border Patrol Inspectors fell between 1924 and 1970
  • 101 Border Patrol Agents have fallen since 1970
  • 1 Enforcement Analysis Specialist
 
The names that appear below hold a place of honor. They have made the ultimate sacrifice in an effort to fulfill the oath each officer took to protect and defend the United States of America.
 
The facts regarding each officer are presented without major editing of the "language of the day" found in the reports detailing the circumstances of each event. This is done to provide the reader an association with historical timeframes.
 
Employees who died in the line of duty due to being exposed to deadly illnesses will not have the cause of death listed.
 
I will note that Border Patrol Agent John Charles Gigax is not recognized as officially fallen by Customs and Border Protection or the U.S. Border Patrol. The Border Patrol Foundation and the Border Patrol Museum also fail to recognize him. He is remembered by all except organizations containing "Border Patrol" in their title. He is remembered by the:
  • National Law Enforcement Officer Memorial (see this link),
  • Officer Down memorial Page (see this link), and
  • Texas Peace Officer's Memorial (see this link).
 
The U.S. Border Patrol, the Border Patrol Foundation, and the Border Patrol Museum should fix their oversight. 
 
HonorFirst.com remembers and lists Agent Gigax among the fallen.

Fallen Border Patrol Agent John Charles Gigax's tombstone. Fallen Border Patrol Agent Jason C. Panides' tombstone in is the background.
Fallen Border Patrol Agent John Charles Gigax's tombstone. Fallen Border Patrol Agent Jason C. Panides' tombstone in is the background.
1996
Aurelio E. Valencia
Date of Birth:                     November 12, 1963
Entered on Duty:              February 28, 1985
Title:                                      Border Patrol Agent
End of Watch:                    January 25, 1996
 
Details:
On January 25, 1996, Border Patrol Agent Aurelio E. Valencia was involved in a vehicle accident on California State Route 78, near Glamis, California.  Permanently assigned to the Blythe Station, Agent Valencia was working backup for the Highway 78 checkpoint. As he attempted a U-turn to get behind and investigate a suspected smuggling vehicle parked south of the checkpoint, his Service vehicle was struck broadside by a southbound motorist. Agent Valencia died at the scene from injuries sustained in the accident.
 
Agent Valencia began his career with INS as a student aide at Tucson Sector Headquarters. He was promoted to Clerk two months later. After a short break in service, he entered on duty as an Immigration Detention Officer at Wilcox Station, Tucson Sector, on November 26, 1986. On June 13, 1988, he entered on duty as a Border Patrol Agent at Blythe Station, Yuma Sector, the position he was filling at the time of his death.

​Gravesite

2 Comments
Jay Visconti
1/24/2023 06:34:01 am

Great job Cliff! Keep up the excellent work!

Reply
Clifford Gill
1/24/2023 06:35:14 am

Thank you Jay!

Reply



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    Clifford Gill

    Blog author, retired U.S. Border Patrol Assistant Chief and, current U.S. Border Patrol employee advocate.

    ​Read more about Cliff here.


    Ray Harris

    Site founder and owner, former Senior Patrol Agent and retired Immigration Special Agent.

    ​Read more about Ray here.


    Joseph Banco

    U.S. Border Patrol historian and retired Deputy Chief Patrol Agent.

    ​Read more about Joe here.


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