U.S. Border Patrol Rank Structure and InsigniA
Introduction
The Border Patrol’s system of rank insignia reflects nearly a century of organizational evolution. From its establishment in 1924, the Patrol used visible symbols to distinguish service, authority, and later, duty location.
In the earliest years, every Patrol Inspector’s uniform featured metal shoulder ornaments—pins attached to the epaulets. From 1924 to about 1940, these ornaments identified rank: oxidized silver for Patrol Inspectors and Senior Patrol Inspectors, and gold for Chief Patrol Inspectors and Assistant Superintendents. Around 1940, a third color, polished silver, was introduced to represent intermediate supervisory levels.
In 1980, the Patrol added military-style collar insignia to complement the traditional shoulder ornaments, aligning the organization’s visual hierarchy more closely with federal and military standards. Since about 2010, the shoulder ornament colors have represented duty location rather than rank: gold for Headquarters, silver for Sector Headquarters, and oxidized for Stations.
For a detailed history of early Border Patrol rank and time-in-service insignia, visit The U.S. Border Patrol’s Early Rank and Time-in-Service Insignia.
The tables below outline the current rank insignia, shoulder ornament colors, and pay grades associated with Border Patrol leadership positions at Headquarters, Sector, and Station levels. Please see the USBP Uniform and Grooming Standards 2025 for more information.
The Border Patrol’s system of rank insignia reflects nearly a century of organizational evolution. From its establishment in 1924, the Patrol used visible symbols to distinguish service, authority, and later, duty location.
In the earliest years, every Patrol Inspector’s uniform featured metal shoulder ornaments—pins attached to the epaulets. From 1924 to about 1940, these ornaments identified rank: oxidized silver for Patrol Inspectors and Senior Patrol Inspectors, and gold for Chief Patrol Inspectors and Assistant Superintendents. Around 1940, a third color, polished silver, was introduced to represent intermediate supervisory levels.
In 1980, the Patrol added military-style collar insignia to complement the traditional shoulder ornaments, aligning the organization’s visual hierarchy more closely with federal and military standards. Since about 2010, the shoulder ornament colors have represented duty location rather than rank: gold for Headquarters, silver for Sector Headquarters, and oxidized for Stations.
For a detailed history of early Border Patrol rank and time-in-service insignia, visit The U.S. Border Patrol’s Early Rank and Time-in-Service Insignia.
The tables below outline the current rank insignia, shoulder ornament colors, and pay grades associated with Border Patrol leadership positions at Headquarters, Sector, and Station levels. Please see the USBP Uniform and Grooming Standards 2025 for more information.
U.S. Border Patrol Headquarters
Title |
Collar Insignia |
Shoulder Ornament (Dress Uniform Only) |
Pay Grade |
Chief of the Border Patrol |
Four Stars |
Gold |
Senior Executive Service |
Deputy Chief of the Border Patrol |
Three Stars |
Gold |
Senior Executive Service |
Directorate Chief |
Two Stars |
Gold |
Senior Executive Service |
Deputy Directorate Chief |
One Star |
Gold |
Senior Executive Service or GS-15 |
Division Chief |
One Star |
Gold |
GS-15 |
Assistant Chief |
Eagles |
Gold |
GS-14 |
Operations Officer |
Gold Oak Leaves |
Gold |
GS-13 |
Border Patrol Agent - Program |
Single Silver Bar |
None |
GS-13 |
Border Patrol Sectors
Title |
Collar Insignia |
Shoulder Ornament (Dress Uniform Only) |
Pay Grade |
Chief Patrol Agent |
Two Stars |
Silver |
Senior Executive Service or GS-15 |
Deputy Chief Patrol Agent |
One Star |
Silver |
Senior Executive Service or GS-15 |
Division Chief |
One Star |
Silver |
GS-15 |
Assistant Chief Patrol Agent and Executive Officer |
Eagles |
Silver |
GS-14 |
Special Operations Supervisor and Operations Officer |
Gold Oak Leaves |
Silver |
GS-13 |
Border Patrol Agent - Programs |
Single Silver Bars |
None |
GS-13 |
Border Patrol Stations
Title |
Collar Insignia |
Shoulder Ornament (Dress Uniform Only) |
Pay Grade |
Patrol Agent in Charge |
Eagles |
Oxidized |
GS-15, GS-14 or GS-13 |
Deputy Patrol Agent in Charge |
Silver Oak Leaves |
Oxidized |
GS-14 or GS-13 |
Watch Commander |
Silver Oak Leaves |
Oxidized |
GS-14 or GS-13 |
Special Operations Supervisor |
Gold Oak Leaves |
Oxidized |
GS-13 |
Supervisory Border Patrol Agent |
Double Silver Bars |
Oxidized |
GS-13 |
Border Patrol Agent |
None |
None |
GS-12, GS-11, GS-9 or GS-7 |
