June 18 - June 24IntroGood Morning! Welcome to another This Week in USBP History! The U.S. Border Patrol: Upholding Honor First Amid Challenges
A Challenging Landscape As you well know, the landscape has become increasingly challenging over the years. Encounters at the border have risen to more than two million, and the strain on the workforce has been significant, particularly with the decrease in the number of agents from over 21,000 in 2011 to just over 18,000 today.
Leadership and the USBP Strategy In response to these challenges, the leadership of the USBP has shown unwavering commitment to their mission and the well-being of their personnel. The 2022-2026 U.S. Border Patrol Strategy emphasizes that every Border Patrol Agent and employee plays a critical role in ensuring national security. The leadership must also embody the principles of Simon Sinek: "It's not about being in charge, it's about taking care of those in your charge". This philosophy underscores the importance of each individual in the organization and their contribution to the collective mission, demonstrating a focus on supporting and caring for the members of the USBP. The Spirit of Honor First and Esprit de Corps Despite these challenges, the USBP continues to embody its motto of "Honor First" and the principle of "Esprit de Corps". This spirit is present in every apprehension they make, every migrant they process, and every patrol they conduct. In the face of adversity, the USBP stands firm in their commitment to protect the nation and its people. Looking Forward The U.S. Border Patrol, despite facing numerous challenges, continues its vigilance in maintaining the security of the U.S. borders. Its agents, driven by a strong sense of duty and purpose, embody the spirit of "Honor First". As we look forward to a future with continued challenges, the U.S. Border Patrol stands ready to face them, always putting the nation and its people first. Call to Action For those of you currently serving and those who have served, we invite you to engage with us. Share this post within your network, engage in constructive conversations, and share your insights and experiences. Your firsthand knowledge is invaluable in fostering understanding and positive change. Comments We encourage you to leave your comments below. Share your thoughts, ask questions, or offer insights. Let's engage in a constructive dialogue about the challenges faced by the U.S. Border Patrol and the path forward. Your engagement is crucial in fostering understanding and positive change. This week's history starts in 1909 with an announcement for the position of Immigration Guard. We navigate through key milestones including the initial debates in 1918, a significant uniform change in 1936, and administrative challenges in 1956. We wrap up our journey in 1998, when the funding for the Border Patrol's 75th Anniversary Medals was questioned. Join us as we uncover these historical gems and much more. We remember two of the Patrol's heroes on the anniversary of their Newton-Azrak Award actions. We remember two of the Patrol's fallen on the anniversaries of their deaths. Enjoy and have a great week! Cliff P.S. - 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 [email protected]). As always, make sure to explore all of the hyperlinks to the documents and pages. Finally, please forward this blog to whomever you think may enjoy it. ESPRIT DE CORPSThe workplace climate resulting from a combination of organizational pride and employee morale.
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. THROWBACK PHOTO OF THE WEEKJust a bit more than a decade ago we discovered Border Patrol Tahoes are NOT suitable for amphibious use and we preserve every 'damp' moment. Here's to camaraderie, candid cameras, and lake-bound Tahoes! DOCUMENTS AND EVENTS1909
1918
1924
1931
1936
1940
1942
1956
1998
NEWTON-AZRAK AWARD |
Clifford GillBlog author, retired U.S. Border Patrol Assistant Chief and, current U.S. Border Patrol employee advocate. Ray HarrisSite founder and owner, former Supervisory Border Patrol Agent and retired Immigration Special Agent. Joseph BancoU.S. Border Patrol historian and retired Deputy Chief Patrol Agent. Archives
February 2025
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