June 25 - July 1IntroGood Morning! Welcome to another This Week in USBP History! Salute to the Guardians of the Border Reflecting on USBP’s Legacy & Looking Ahead This week we embrace the winds of change and bid farewell to Chief Raul Ortiz, the 25th Chief of the Border Patrol, who retires after an illustrious career spanning over three decades. Chief Ortiz set a great precedence of humility as he had reconsidered his past decision, and a commitment to valuing the workforce in August 2022 as described in THIS WEEK IN USBP HISTORY, VOL. 52. Simultaneously, we welcome Chief Jason Owens as the 26th Chief of the Border Patrol. As a beacon of hope, Chief Owens is tasked with navigating the tumultuous waters of border security with grace and resolve, and a laser focus on the betterment of the workforce.
Chief Ortiz and Chief Maddocks are the embodiment of dedication, having served beyond the mandatory retirement age of 57 through waivers. This is noteworthy, especially at a time when many agents are retiring sooner than mandatory, often well within two years of becoming retirement eligible The USBP's culture is integral to its identity. Its rich history and traditions have shaped the character and values of the agents, guiding them through challenging terrain and circumstances. To mitigate attrition and address staffing issues, numerous suggestions have been put forth in earlier blog posts:
Now, let’s address the challenges ahead. A recent GAO report described the Patrol's attrition at about 7%, but some say it may be closer to 9%. The Border Patrol’s agent numbers have fallen well below 19,000. With an academy class of approximately 50 trainees and less than 2% of applicants becoming Border Patrol Agents, the challenge of maintaining the workforce is evident. Here’s a breakdown of what the attrition rates mean for the Border Patrol: At a 7% attrition rate:
At a 9% attrition rate:
The difference in the number of employees leaving between a 7% and a 9% attrition rate for each workforce size is significant. For instance, for a workforce of 20,000, the difference is 400 employees, which is equivalent to 8 Academy classes! The challenge is significant! Looking Forward As Chief Jason Owens takes charge, addressing the attrition rate is likely to be one of the greatest challenges facing the Patrol. Creating an environment that encourages agents to stay, as well as implementing effective recruiting strategies, will be essential. The Border Patrol is an essential institution for the safety and security of our borders. With new leadership and a commitment to addressing the challenges ahead, there is hope for a strong and resilient future. Stay tuned for next week’s volume as we continue to delve into the rich history and the evolving challenges and triumphs of the United States Border Patrol. This week's history unveils intriguing chapters from the United States Border Patrol's past. In 1907, Father of the U.S. Border Patrol Frank W. Berkshire assumed the role of the first Supervising Inspector for the Mexican Border. Fast forward to 1924, a significant milestone was reached with the official confirmation of the title "Patrol Inspector". Meanwhile, in 1959, the Patrol Inspectors of the Ogdensburg Sector showcased their dedication by providing security for Vice-President Richard Nixon and Queen Elizabeth II during the Moses-Saunders Power Dam dedication. These events offer a glimpse into the agency's early days, reflecting its growth, challenges, and notable achievements. Join us as we delve into these captivating historical moments and much more. As we delve into the past, we also pause to honor the memory of three Patrol heroes on the anniversary of their Newton-Azrak Award actions. Additionally, we remember and pay tribute to two of the Patrol's fallen officers 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 WEEKStraight-line braking! Don't crush the apex! Accelerate out of the turn! A blast from the past: Every Border Patrol Agent, past and present, can almost hear the instructors’ fervent shouts – 'Straight-line braking! Don't crush the apex! Accelerate out of the turn!' – as they raced to master high-speed pursuits at the Border Patrol Academy. It's a time when steering wheels are gripped tight and hearts raced faster than the engines. DOCUMENTS AND EVENTS1907
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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
October 2024
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