What is the Origin Story of the USBP Pistol Team?
The USBP Pistol Team has a storied history, with evidence suggesting that as early as 1931, Patrol Inspectors representing their districts or sub-districts participated in shooting competitions (refer to this document and this document).
Numerous shooting teams excelled in local contests, building confidence and inspiring them to challenge other Border Patrol teams. In 1931, the El Paso District team, which included present-day Tucson, El Paso, and Big Bend Sectors, considered issuing a Border Patrol-wide challenge (refer to this document). However, the challenge never materialized.
Four years later, in 1935, the Tampa Sub-district submitted a request to headquarters to issue a shooting challenge, stating, "We will shoot any course of fire and at any distance" (refer to this document).
Headquarters approved the Tampa challenge, forwarding it to all 32 Border Patrol sub-districts. Ten of them accepted the challenge. Nearly two months after issuing the challenge, headquarters collected and distributed the results. The El Paso Sub-district emerged victorious, while the Tampa Sub-district secured fourth place (refer to this document).
Only five days after announcing the Tampa Sub-district shooting challenge results, headquarters, in a memo dated June 10, 1935, encouraged all Border Patrol locations to have their outstanding pistol shots participate under conditions simulating competition. The intent was to identify officers for potential representation in a national match at Camp Perry, Ohio, in September of that year. This initiative marked the inception of the USBP Pistol Team (refer to this document).
The newly-formed Border Patrol team participated in the Camp Perry National Pistol Match, finishing an impressive fourth place. The team's score was just three points shy of the top three teams, all of which were tied for first place (refer to this document, pg 6).
Numerous shooting teams excelled in local contests, building confidence and inspiring them to challenge other Border Patrol teams. In 1931, the El Paso District team, which included present-day Tucson, El Paso, and Big Bend Sectors, considered issuing a Border Patrol-wide challenge (refer to this document). However, the challenge never materialized.
Four years later, in 1935, the Tampa Sub-district submitted a request to headquarters to issue a shooting challenge, stating, "We will shoot any course of fire and at any distance" (refer to this document).
Headquarters approved the Tampa challenge, forwarding it to all 32 Border Patrol sub-districts. Ten of them accepted the challenge. Nearly two months after issuing the challenge, headquarters collected and distributed the results. The El Paso Sub-district emerged victorious, while the Tampa Sub-district secured fourth place (refer to this document).
Only five days after announcing the Tampa Sub-district shooting challenge results, headquarters, in a memo dated June 10, 1935, encouraged all Border Patrol locations to have their outstanding pistol shots participate under conditions simulating competition. The intent was to identify officers for potential representation in a national match at Camp Perry, Ohio, in September of that year. This initiative marked the inception of the USBP Pistol Team (refer to this document).
The newly-formed Border Patrol team participated in the Camp Perry National Pistol Match, finishing an impressive fourth place. The team's score was just three points shy of the top three teams, all of which were tied for first place (refer to this document, pg 6).
Future Chief of the Border Patrol, Harlon B. Carter. Member of the 1938 USBP Pistol Team.
