W.I.N.
​What's Important Now

U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Office of Training and Development, U.S. Border Patrol Academy
The United States Border Patrol Academy's podcast, where subjects are discussed that are important to the men and women of the United States Border Patrol, their families and the people that the U.S. Border Patrol serves.The videos below are linked to the YouTube channel managed by CBP's Office of Training and Development (OTD).  Their mission is to Train America's Frontline. It accomplishes this through a systemic and systematic approach to ensure that training supports CBP's law enforcement, national security, and economic missions while meeting the needs of a diverse and widely dispersed workforce. OTD establishes standards and policies for designing, developing, delivering, and evaluating training. OTD manages the Performance and Learning Management System (PALMS) portal and all on-line, e-training content, along with CBP's accreditation, voluntary education, and tuition assistance programs. OTD accomplishes its mission with four national Academies/Training Centers (Advanced Training Center; U.S. Border Patrol Academy; CBP Field Operations Academy; Canine Training Center) and five Centers of Excellence/Divisions (Leadership Development, Distance Learning Center, Instructional Design Center, National Training Plan Division and Training Support Division).

​Last updated - March 3, 2023

Season #1 With
Chief Patrol Agent Jason Owens

(Audio Only) The US Border Patrol Academy Podcast! Chief of The Border Patrol Academy Jason D. Owens interviews Chief of The El Paso Sector, Gloria Chavez. Chavez served as chief of both California's El Centro sector and Washington's Spokane sector and took over responsibility for El Paso in July 2019.
USBP Academy Chief Jason Owens sits down to have a conversation with Chief of the United States Border Patrol Rodney Scott, where they discuss life, family, and all things Green. Rodney S. Scott served as the 24th Chief of the United States Border Patrol from January 24, 2020 to June 23, 2021 in both the Trump and Biden administrations. Scott joined the Border Patrol in 1992, and has served in various leadership positions within the Border Patrol and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), including the El Centro Sector's chief patrol agent; the San Diego Sector's deputy chief patrol agent; patrol agent in charge at the San Diego Sector's Brown Field Station; assistant chief in CBP's Office of Anti-Terrorism in Washington, D.C.; and division chief and director for the Incident Management and Operations Coordination Division at CBP Headquarters.
Chief Owens interviews Border Patrol Union President Brandon Judd. This episode covers family life, love of the Border Patrol, and plans after retirement.
Deputy Chief Raul Ortiz swings by the studio to talk to Chief Owens. Deputy Ortiz recounts his early days in the patrol as a line agent in California, to how he deals with making high-level decisions as Deputy Chief.

Raul L. Ortiz became the 25th Chief of the United States Border Patrol on August 15, 2021(after this episode aired).

He oversees domestic border security operations outside the Ports of Entry along our nation's borders, which includes more than 5,000 miles with Canada, nearly 2,000 miles with Mexico, hundreds of coastal miles, and our territories in the Caribbean. He proudly leads more than 20,000 Border Patrol Agents and Professional Staff across the country as they perform the homeland security mission.

Chief Ortiz draws over 30 years of law enforcement experience to ensure the more than 20,000 Border Patrol Agents and Professional Staff across the country have the training, resources, equipment, and support they need to carry out the homeland security mission.

Chief Ortiz began his career with the U.S. Border Patrol on May 13, 1991, in San Diego Sector as a member of Academy Class 247. Chief Ortiz worked his way up through the ranks at Chula Vista, Brownfield, and Campo stations. In 2000, he promoted to Del Rio Sector, where he served as Assistant Patrol Agent in Charge and Patrol Agent in Charge of the Comstock Station. He also served as an Assistant Chief Patrol Agent at Del Rio Sector Headquarters.

Chief Ortiz took his dedication to national security to the global stage in 2009, where he served as Director of the Border Management Task Force, Senior Advisor to the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) envoy to Afghanistan and Pakistan, and as the DHS Attaché in Kabul, Afghanistan. He returned to the United States in 2012, when he promoted to Deputy Chief of Law Enforcement Operational Programs at Border Patrol Headquarters in Washington, D.C., where he served as principal advisor on enforcement operations and administrative requirements to accomplish the Border Patrol’s strategic plan.

Chief Ortiz returned to the field in 2013 as Deputy Chief Patrol Agent of the Rio Grande Valley Sector. He returned to Del Rio Sector as the Chief Patrol Agent in 2019, and on March 2, 2020, entered on duty as the Deputy Chief of the United States Border Patrol.

Prior to joining the U.S. Border Patrol, he served in the U.S. Army’s 8th Infantry Division in Baumholder, Germany. He attended the University of Texas in San Antonio and Southwest Texas Junior College, completing studies in political science and criminal justice.

Chief Ortiz attended the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Leadership Institute and the Harvard Kennedy School’s Executive Education for Senior Managers in Government. He is a Federal Emergency Management Agency Certified Master Exercise Practitioner.

​His awards include two Meritorious Honor Awards from the Department of State, the Certificate of Achievement from the State of Texas and the Superior Civilian Service Medal - the Department of Defense’s third highest civilian honor.
Mission Readiness Operations Department (MROD), is the unsung hero that supplies the front line with everything a Border Patrol Agent needs to do his job. Deputy Chief of MROD, Richard J. Fortunato comes by our podcast studio to speak with Chief Owens about what it takes to supply the troops.

Deputy Chief Fortunato began his career with the U. S. Border Patrol on January 8, 1997 as a member of Class 327 and was assigned to the McAllen, Texas Station. Deputy Chief Fortunato has also held a variety of leadership positions within key assignments of the U. S. Border Patrol to include both the Northern and Southern Borders. Additionally, he served in several assignments at the U.S. Border Patrol Headquarters, Washington, D.C. Deputy Chief Fortunato also served as the commander of the U. S. Border Patrol’s National Pipe and Drum Team and received the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Unit Citation.

​Prior to joining the U.S. Border Patrol, Deputy Chief Fortunato was a law enforcement officer in the State of Colorado. Deputy Chief Fortunato also served in the U.S. Navy Reserve achieving the rank of Chief Petty Officer and retired after 22 years of service.
Chief Owens interviews Customs and Border Protection's first ever Chief Medical Officer, Dr. David Tarantino. Dr. Tarantino debunks some common misconceptions about COVID-19 and CBP's future medical programs.
W.I.N. Episode #7 with retired Chief Patrol Agent Lynne Underdown can be found on:
Chief McGoffin of the Big Bend Sector, talks with Chief Scott about the unknown northern border that USBP covers, and the different challenges he has taken on in his career.
In honor of Women's History Month, Chief Owens sits down and talks with the mother of fallen Border Patrol Agent Javier Vega Jr.
In honor of Women's History Month, Former Chief Patrol Agent Carla Provost talks with Chief Owens on life after the Border Patrol.

Chief Provost entered on duty with the U.S. Border Patrol on January 8, 1995, as a member of Class 277. She was first assigned as a Border Patrol Agent at the Douglas Station in the Tucson Sector, subsequently promoted to Supervisory Border Patrol Agent in 1998, and to Field Operations Supervisor in 2001. In 2006, Chief Provost transferred to the Yuma Sector as an Assistant Chief Patrol Agent. In 2009, she became the Patrol Agent in Charge of the Wellton Station in the Yuma Sector, and in 2011, she was appointed to the SES as Deputy Chief Patrol Agent of the El Paso Sector. In 2013, she became the Chief Patrol Agent of the El Centro Sector, in Imperial, California, where she led 1,200 employees and oversaw all operations within her area of responsibility. In 2015, Chief Provost was selected as the Deputy Assistant Commissioner for CBP’s Office of Professional Responsibility, where she oversaw internal investigations and allegations of misconduct for CBP’s workforce of 60,000. She was selected as Deputy Chief of the U.S. Border Patrol in October of 2016. In April of 2017, she became the Acting Chief, U.S. Border Patrol. She remained in that role until her selection as Chief in August of 2018.

Throughout her career, Chief Provost was an avid supporter of the frontline men and women in the Border Patrol, while upholding the Border Patrol motto of “Honor First.” Among Chief Provost’s many accomplishments in her distinguished career, is her successful standup of CBP’s Law Enforcement Officer/Agent Safety and Compliance Directorate (LESC), which is responsible for the development and articulation of all CBP use of force policies and provides the agency with comprehensive and operational Use of Force programs and training. Chief Provost spent her career promoting continual learning and served as an instructor for bike patrol units, firearms training, and post-academy law as a young field Agent. Her operational experience spans across four different Sectors inclusive of all four states that border Mexico.

​Prior to joining the U.S. Border Patrol, Chief Provost served for 2 1/2 years as a Police Officer with the Riley County Police Department in Manhattan, Kansas. She earned a Master of Science degree in National Resource Strategy from the Industrial College of the Armed Forces at the National Defense University in Washington, D.C., and a Bachelor of Science degree in Sociology/Criminal Justice from Kansas State University. She is also a 2018 Presidential Meritorious Rank Award Recipient.
In honor of Women's History Month, (yes we know it's April) Chief Owens interviews Erica Aguilar. She is the spouse of fallen Border Patrol Agent Luis Aguilar, and talks about the struggles of losing her husband, and the overwhelming support of the Border Patrol post BPA Aguilars end of watch.
The Deputy Patrol Agent in Charge of the Swanton Sector, William J. Maddocks visits with Chief Owens and talks about his career, being a part of the Special Operations Group, and highlights from his 20+ years in the patrol.
Border Patrol Agent, coach, family man, and MMA fighter Chance Farrar talks about the early days in his Border Patrol career and what lead him to MMA fighting, and what he is doing now to help others achieve their dream of fighting professionally.
Chief Patrol Agent of the San Diego Sector, Aaron Heitke sits down with Chief Owens and discuss the current issues of immigration, how he is tackling these issues, and what's the path forward for the San Diego Sector
House of Representative of Texas District 28 Henry Cuellar comes by the Border Patrol Academy as a special guest speaker for USBP graduating class 1154. After his powerful speech, he sits down with Chief Owens to discuss how he got into politics, all things Laredo, TX., and the southwest border.
All things special operations, this episode dives into Bortac, Borstar, and MRT and what it takes to become a part of the elite group of agents who hold these titles with guest Deputy Chief Patrol Agent of SOG Jesse D. Munoz
Ret. Acting Chief of the Border Patrol, Acting Director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement , Ronald Vitiello sits down and talks with Chief Owens about life after retirement, and he accomplishments that helped strengthen our nations borders. How he continuing to help the Border Patrol Mission even after he retired
Assistant Commissioner of the Office of Training and Development, Chris Hall, sits down and talks with Chief Owens.

Mr. Hall comes to CBP from the United States Coast Guard where he served for 28 years in the aviation, human performance technology, instructional design and training fields. He ultimately rose to the rank of Captain.

After graduating from the Coast Guard Academy in 1984, he served an afloat tour as a Deck Watch Officer and Assistant Operations Officer aboard the CGC DECISIVE in St. Petersburg, Florida. Following his tour afloat, he attended Naval Flight Training in Pensacola, Florida where he was designated a Coast Guard Aviator and received his wings in 1987. After graduating from Naval Flight School, his aviation assignments included tours as a search and rescue pilot at Air Station San Diego, California, and as Executive Officer flying both the Gulfstream III and V at Air Station Washington, DC.

Between aviation assignments, he served shore assignments as the Chief of the Office of Search and Rescue at Coast Guard Headquarters in Washington DC, Program Manager at the White House Military Office, and as the Coast Guard's first Performance Consulting Division Chief.

From 2008 to 2011, Mr. Hall served as Commanding Officer Coast Guard Training Center Petaluma where he led the Enlisted Center of Excellence with 7 apprentice A-schools, and 40 advanced C-schools with a staff of 500 active duty, civilian, and contract employees that designed, developed, and delivered resident and non-resident training to over 15,000 students a year.

He returned to Washington, DC, in 2011 to assume the position of Coast Guard's Chief Learning Officer. In that capacity he was directly responsible for all formal training world-wide with a training enterprise composed of 7 national training campuses (including 4 of the Coast Guard's 10 largest bases) and 12 regional, specialized training sites. He provided strategic vision and leadership for a workforce of 3,200 military and civilian employees who train 29,000 resident and 34,000 non-resident students, and visit and train 20,000 students at operational units annually. In addition, he managed Service-wide voluntary education and tuition assistance programs, and supervised both a quota management center for scheduling and tracking students and an institute for processing on-line and correspondence courses.

A graduate of the U.S. Coast Guard Academy, Mr. Hall was a 2007 National Security Fellow at Harvard's John F. Kennedy School of Government, and he earned a Master of Arts Degree in Education at San Diego State University in 1995.

​His military honors include the Legion of Merit, the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, three Meritorious Service Medals, two Commendation Medals, an Achievement Medal and numerous other team, unit, and individual awards.
Director John "Mo" Morris is the Director of the Office of Intelligence's Transnational Organized Crime (TOC) Division. Chief Owens sits down and talks about his current role and previous positions.
Chief Owens chats with former agent Vincent Vargas.

Vincent "Rocco" Vargas is an American entertainer, producer and writer, known for Range 15, Mayans M.C., the MBest11x YouTube channel and the Vinny Roc podcast.

​Vincent "Rocco" Vargas enlisted in the United States Army (2003–2015) and went on to serve 3 combat deployments with the 2nd Ranger Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment. Vargas also served as an infantry Drill Sergeant. He then left active duty and entered the reserves with the rank of Sergeant First Class. After leaving active duty, Vargas worked in special operations as a medic with the Arizona Department of Corrections and then the U.S. Border Patrol but left in 2013 to pursue his career as an entertainer.
Chief Jason Owens interviews Swanton Chief Patrol Agent Robert Garcia.

Before being appointed the Chief of Swanton Sector, Chief Garcia held a variety of positions including as a member of the elite Border Patrol Tactical Unit (BORTAC), a Supervisory Border Patrol Agent in the Tucson Sector and as an instructor at the U.S. Border Patrol Academy in Charleston, South Carolina.

​Chief Garcia is also an experienced leader having served as the Assistant Patrol Agent in Charge of the Ysleta Station and the Patrol Agent in Charge of the Fabens Station in the El Paso Sector. He also served as an Assistant Chief Patrol Agent, El Paso Sector, serving as the Operations Director for the New Mexico/West Texas Alliance to Combat Transnational Threats. Chief Garcia served two separate tours as an Assistant Chief and Associate Chief at U.S. Border Patrol Headquarters in Washington, DC.
Chief Jason Owens interviews Former U.S. Border Patrol Chief Michael J. Fisher.

Michael J. Fisher served as Chief of the United States Border Patrol and was a member of the Senior Executive Service from 2010 to 2015.

Fisher was responsible for planning, organizing, coordinating, and directing enforcement efforts to secure the United States' borders.

Fisher entered the United States Border Patrol in 1987, assigned to Douglas Station in the Tucson Sector. In 1990, he was selected for the Border Patrol Tactical Unit (BORTAC), and later served as BORTAC Field Operations Supervisor in El Paso, Texas. Fisher served as Deputy Chief Patrol Agent of the Detroit Sector, and then Assistant Chief Patrol Agent in the Tucson Sector, where he was recognized as "Manager of the Year".

In 2003, he was appointed Deputy Director of CBPs Office of Anti-Terrorism in Washington. He then served as Associate Chief of the U.S. Border Patrol, and was promoted to Senior Associate Chief in 2004. Fisher served as Deputy Chief Patrol Agent of the San Diego Sector in 2006, and was promoted to Chief Patrol Agent there in 2007. In 2010, he was named Acting Chief of the U.S. Border Patrol, and then Chief on May 9, 2010.

​Fisher announced his retirement in October 2015, after serving 28 years with the U.S. Border Patrol.
Chief Jason Owens interviews Chief of Law Enforcement Operations Manuel Padilla Jr.

Manuel Padilla Jr. is the Chief of the Law Enforcement Operations Directorate at U.S. Border Patrol Headquarters in Washington, DC. He is responsible for oversight of the day-to-day law enforcement operations at Border Patrol sectors throughout the United States. He serves as a principal advisor to the Chief of the Border Patrol on enforcement operations and administrative requirements for the successful accomplishment of the Border Patrol mission.

Prior to his current assignment, Chief Padilla was presidentially appointed Director of Joint Task Force – West (JTF-W) of DHS' Southern Border and Approaches Campaign Plan in October 2018. As the Director, Chief Padilla oversaw the coordination and facilitation of integrated and prioritized cross-component operations along the U.S. Southwest Border to leverage DHS, interagency and partner nation capabilities for increasing border security and to dismantle illicit networks. Chief Padilla’s guidance led to the development of international engagement strategies to assist DHS foreign country teams and international mission partners; as well as establishment of a bi-national initiative with the Government of Mexico to jointly identify high profile suspected criminals and as a public outreach program to enlist the public’s help on both sides of the border to provide information on suspected criminals.

Before his appointment, Chief Padilla served as Chief of the Rio Grande Valley Border Patrol Sector and Commander of the JTF-W South Texas Corridor (STC). As Sector Chief, Director Padilla had operational and administrative oversight of major programs, accounting for the majority of illegal alien apprehensions and marijuana seized along the Southwest Border. As Commander of JTF-W STC, he championed national priorities in South Texas for the focused development of personnel, technology and infrastructure.

Chief Padilla has held a number of key leadership positions including Chief Patrol Agent and Deputy Chief Patrol Agent of the Tucson Sector where he led more than 4,500 Border Patrol employees responsible for securing 262 miles along the United States and Mexican border. During his tenure, immigration apprehensions in Fiscal 2014 declined to 87,000 in the Sector – the first time in 21 years fewer than 100,000 aliens were apprehended. Chief Padilla also led a bi-national targeted law-enforcement effort with the Government of Mexico military, police, and investigative agencies, and served as the Chief Patrol Agent of the New Orleans Sector and Associate Chief at Border Patrol Headquarters in Washington, D.C. Chief Padilla entered on duty with the U.S. Border Patrol on Aug. 11, 1986, and his first assignment was at the Sierra Blanca Station in Texas. In 1990, he became a member of the Border Patrol Tactical Unit, eventually providing instruction on tactical procedures to host country police forces in Bolivia, El Salvador, and Guatemala.

Chief Padilla is a graduate of the CBP SES Candidate Development Program. Prior to joining the Border Patrol, he served in the United States Army for two years.
Chief Jason Owens interviews the Chief Patrol Agent of Laredo Sector Matthew Hudak and talk about some of the challenges in Laredo Sector.

Chief Hudak has served with the Border Patrol since 1997 when he began his career at the Harlingen Station in the McAllen Sector (now known as Rio Grande Valley Sector). Chief Hudak has served in many locations and positions during his career to include Douglas, AZ, Washington D.C., Cotulla, TX, Laredo, TX, Del Rio, TX and Marfa, TX.

Throughout his 24 years of service, Chief Hudak has had numerous temporary duty assignments, including Laredo Sector’s Acting Deputy Chief Patrol Agent and Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Joint Task Force Investigations’ Acting Deputy Director, Deputy Chief Patrol Agent of the Del Rio Sector and Chief Patrol Agent of Big Bend Sector.

​Chief Hudak is in command of the Laredo Sector since July 5, 2020. The Laredo Sector covers 86,673 square miles in 101 counties from the U.S./Mexico borders to the Texas, Oklahoma, and Arkansas borders. With a workforce of over 1,800 employees, the Laredo Sector is a viable economic factor providing over $80 million in salaries on an annual basis for the Sector's region. The Laredo Sector has one Sector complex and nine stations: Laredo North, Laredo South, Laredo West, Zapata, Cotulla, Hebbronville, Freer, San Antonio, and Dallas.
Chief Jason Owens interviews the founder of the BPA Family Network and BP Volunteer Support Group, Mrs. Nuri Vitiello.

​Mrs. Vitiello is proudly married to Ronald Vitiello, Former U.S. Border Patrol Chief. Together they share how they survived a 34 yr. law enforcement career and hope their experience will better prepare other CBP families.
Chief Owens interviews El Centro Sector Chief Bovino.

Chief Bovino and Chief Owens are Border Patrol classmates! Listen as they talk about their experiences at the academy, career challenges, and accomplishments.

Gregory K. Bovino is the Chief Patrol Agent of the El Centro Sector. Chief Bovino is responsible for managing all U.S. Border Patrol operations and administrative functions within the El Centro Sector, which encompasses 70 miles of land border as well as inland areas of California extending to the Oregon State line. The El Centro Sector is located within the Imperial Valley county area and is directly north of Mexicali, Baja California, Mexico.

Chief Bovino entered on duty with the U.S. Border Patrol on November 17, 1996, as a member of Border Patrol Academy Class 325. His first duty assignment as a Border Patrol Agent was in California at the El Centro Station in the El Centro Sector. While in El Centro, he promoted to Senior Patrol Agent in 1999 and Supervisory Border Patrol Agent in May of 2002. During this time, he fulfilled significant details to the Border Patrol Tactical Unit including the position of Acting Field Operations Supervisor. There he was instrumental in developing the Border Patrol Marksman Observer Program as well as deploying to foreign assignments in Honduras, Egypt, and Africa.

In May 2004, he was promoted to Assistant Chief with the Special Operations Division at U.S. Border Patrol Headquarters in Washington, D.C. There he spearheaded planning and execution of Operation Stonegarden; represented the Border Patrol in disaster response operations during Hurricanes Katrina, Rita, Wilma, and Gustav; and crafted the Border Patrol Continuity of Operations Plan. From 2005 through 2008, Chief Bovino was detailed as the Acting Associate Chief of Special Operations Division. In October 2008, he was promoted to Patrol Agent in Charge of Blythe Border Patrol Station in Yuma Sector. There he led station operations at two permanent traffic checkpoints and in several locales throughout the interior of Arizona, California, and Nevada.

In 2012, he was promoted to Patrol Agent in Charge of the Imperial Beach Border Patrol Station where he led 417 Border Patrol Agents and staff within an area of responsibility including six linear miles of international boundary between the United States and Mexico and 66 linear miles of coastline from the San Diego metropolitan area north to Oceanside, California. He held that position until April of 2016, when he was promoted to Associate Chief of Policy at U.S. Border Patrol Headquarters in Washington, D.C. Chief Bovino was promoted to Chief Patrol Agent at the New Orleans Sector on July 9, 2018.

​Chief Bovino holds two master’s degrees; one in National Security Strategy from the National War College, and the other in Public Administration from Appalachian State University. Mr. Bovino holds a Bachelor’s Degree, Magna Cum Laude, in Natural Resources Management and Forestry from Western Carolina University. He also completed the Customs and Border Protection Leadership Institute in 2012 as well as the Department of Homeland Security’s Senior Executive Service Candidate Development Program in 2016.
W.I.N. Episode 28 - Removed from circulation.
Chief Owens interviews Border Patrol Agent Josh Guell.

Our Veterans Day Special Edition!

Border Patrol Agent Joshua D. Guell, born in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, is currently serving at the Laredo West Station in the Laredo Sector. He entered duty on October 15, 2007 after graduating from the 720th session of the U.S. Border Patrol Academy, 2nd in his class. After 11 years of working with the Border Patrol, he applied his firsthand knowledge of the hardships returning veterans experience after deployment to create the Veterans Support Program (VSP) in March 2017. The program assists veterans employed by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and their families. Up-to-date, VSP has assisted with thousands of veteran-related issues; assisting CBP employees on and off-duty. His effort was the catalyst to drive a concept to assist a few veterans in Laredo Texas to becoming a CBP pilot program, nationwide.

BPA Guell has a distinguished career proudly serving nine years, five tours in Iraq and Afghanistan with the elite U.S. Army Rangers before joining the U.S. Border Patrol. During his time in the military, he played a vital role in several significant operations. These include the Battle of Haditha Dam during the 2003 invasion of Iraq. Along with providing flood control and a third of Iraq’s electrical generation capacity, the dam provided the only other crossing of the Euphrates River west of Baghdad. U.S. Army Rangers seized the Haditha Dam in April 2003 and prevented Iraqi forces from destroying it with some of the most intense fighting and largest use of enemy artillery since World War II. In the summer of 2005, he was also part of Operation Red Wings II, which lasted approximately three weeks. During this time, Guell’s team recovered the bodies of deceased SEALs and Army Special Operations aviators and rescued the only surviving member of the team, Marcus Luttrell.

During his time in the military, Mr. Guell earned several commendations and medals for his bravery and outstanding duty. These include the Army Staff Identification Badge for his distinguished service to the Office of the Secretary of the Army during the almost three years he spent working at the Pentagon. The Bronze Star Medal, with the “V" device which is an award for heroism and valor in combat instead of for meritorious service or achievement in a combat zone. He was also awarded the Valorous Unit Award (VUA), the second highest United States military unit decoration that may be bestowed upon a military unit after the Presidential Unit Citation (PUC). Other awards include the Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, and other awards.

While at the Border Patrol Academy, Mr. Guell was given the second overall in academics award, top shooter award, and twice awarded for leadership of his classmates. Because of his work with veterans in the Border Patrol through the VSP, on June 18, 2018, the City of Laredo recognized Border Patrol Agent (BPA) Joshua Guell as Veteran of the Month. On May 14, 2016 he was also recognized by U.S. House of Representative Henry Cuellar for his acts of courage while in the line of duty as a Border Patrol agent and awarded the Commissioners Life Saving award along with the Border Patrol Achievement Medal with “V” device.

​Mr. Guell is married and has 2 children and is a devout Christian and a member of Grace Bible Church for over 13 years. He also likes to attend/host Bible studies and help Churches in the Laredo community during his off time.
Chief Patrol Agent Jason Owens, interviews Retired Assistant Chief Clifford Gill. Clifford Gill is considered the first Border Patrol Historian. Gill discusses several myths regarding Border Patrol history. Topics include the actual founder of the Border Patrol, and the first established Border Patrol Station.
Chief Owens sheds light on the struggles Border Patrol Agents and staff go through, and with the help of his guest LPC Shannon Mosley she will provide different options to assist employees.
Watch as Chief Jason D. Owens interviews his CBP counterpart, the Executive Director for the Field Operations Academy, Christopher Holtzer.

Christopher R. Holtzer is the Senior Executive Service Executive Director of the Field Operations Academy (FOA), headquartered in Glynco, Georgia.  He is responsible for the design, delivery and evaluation of Customs and Border Protection basic and advanced training delivered at the FOA and in the field.

Mr. Holtzer entered on duty with the U.S. Customs Service on May 1, 2000.  His first duty assignment was in the Chicago Field Office at the Chicago O'Hare International Airport.  While in the Chicago Field Office, he was promoted to Supervisory CBP Officer and served an extended assignment as an Acting Chief CBP Officer.  He also served several assignments at various southern and northern border ports of entry including San Diego, El Paso, Blaine, Detroit, and Houlton.

In 2008, Mr. Holtzer transitioned to the Office of Training Development (OTD) at the Advanced Training Center (ATC).  While in OTD, he served in numerous capacities, including, Acting Assistant Director - Use of Force Training Branch (UFTB), Supervisory Leadership Training (SLT) Instructor, and Deputy Commander – CBP Quick Reaction Force (QRF).  He led the revision of the Intermediate Force Instructor Training Program (IFITP) and the development of the first-ever Intermediate Force Instructor Recertification Training Program (IFIRTP). 

​In 2014, Mr. Holtzer was selected as the National Commander for the Office of Field Operations (OFO) Special Response Team (SRT).  While serving as the SRT National Commander, he led over 140 SRT Operators nationwide in tactical operations and training delivery.  He also oversaw the annual execution of over 400 tactical operations both internationally and nationwide, which resulted in scores of significant arrests and provided critical support to interagency partners.  In 2017, he directed and oversaw the deployment of 145 SRT Operators who provided critical tactical support to the law enforcement efforts in the wake of Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria.
Watch as Chief Owens and Los Angeles County Sheriff's Deputy Claudia Apolinar talk about the details of her ambush.

On July 12, 2019, Deputy Apolinar graduated from Los Angeles County Academy Class 437 and was sworn in as a deputy sheriff. Her initial assignment was at the Century Regional Detention Facility. After spending only six months in a custody assignment, Deputy Apolinar transferred to patrol and was assigned to the Transit Services Bureau. The bureau is responsible for patrolling Metro bus ways, railways, and stations and spans throughout most of Los Angeles County.

On September 12, 2020, Deputy Apolinar was with her partner in a patrol vehicle at the Martin Luther King Transit Center in Compton. They had just completed their routine patrol of the area when a lone gunman fired several shots into their vehicle. The rounds struck both deputies in the head, torso, and arms. Deputy Apolinar was severely wounded in the face.

Despite severe injuries to her face and arm, Deputy Apolinar was able to communicate via her service radio, and directed backup personnel to their location and indicated the suspect had fled the scene. Deputy Apolinar assisted her partner out of the vehicle and both took cover. Her partner had been struck in the arm and head but she was able to render aid despite being severely injured herself. Together, they maintained a strategic position until back up arrived.

​Deputy Apolinar displayed incredible courage and resiliency in the face of danger.
Episode 34 features Del Rio Chief Patrol Agent Jason Owens interviewing the new Border Patrol Academy Chief Ryan P. Landrum. Chief Landrum discuss he career and his vision for the academy.

Season #2 With
​Chief Patrol Agent Ryan Landrum

Chief Patrol Agent of the U.S. Border Patrol Academy, Ryan P. Landrum takes the reins on his debut as host of the W.I.N. Podcast. He interviews Acting Executive Assistant Commissioner of Enterprise Services Ryan J. Scudder. On the season 2 premiere, Chief Landrum covers over the illustrious career of (A) EAC Scudder.
Chief Patrol Agent Ryan Landrum of the Border Patrol Academy sits down with his uncle, and new Chief Patrol Agent of the Laredo Sector, Carl Landrum. Listen in as they talk about what family has meant to both of their careers and how their leadership philosophies have helped them reach their personal and professional goals.
Chief Patrol Agent (CPA) Ryan Landrum sits down with Border Patrol Class 1180's senior mentor, CPA Anthony Scott Good. CPA Good describes the challenges of being Chief on the northern border, and his career leading up to becoming chief.
This week, Supervisory Border Patrol Agent Julie A. Gallagher swung by the W.I.N. Podcast studio. She and Chief Landrum talk about her career, how she overcame a significant personal tragedy, and what it took to become one of the first female BORSTAR agents in the history of the Border Patrol.
In this episode, Daniel Altman, Executive Director, CBP OPR, sits down with Chief Landrum to shed some light on his agency. They define the Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR), the investigation process, and the steps OPR takes to maintain the public trust.
Border Patrol Chief Raul Ortiz recently stopped by the studio for his second W.I.N. Podcast episode. He sat down with Chief Landrum to talk about the current challenges facing the Border Patrol and how instrumental the new USBP National Strategy is to the success of the agency moving forward.
Former Chief Patrol Agent of the U.S. Border Patrol Academy Jason Owens returns to the studio for the first time as a guest. Now leading the agents and staff of the Del Rio Sector, CPA Owens talks about how he is navigating his transition from the Academy to a field command and the challenges the agency faces today.
Chief Patrol Agent (CPA) Ryan Landrum sits down with the senior mentor for Border Patrol Class 1196, CPA John R. Modlin. CPA Modlin describes the challenges he faces as Chief of Tucson Sector, one of the largest sectors on the southwest border. He also describes the multiple geographical locations he has worked throughout his career.
Season 2 Episode 9 recovered from circulation 
Kathleen Scudder, Executive Director, Mission Support Directorate at the U.S. Border Patrol Headquarters, sits down with Chief Patrol Agent Ryan Landrum to discuss the progression of her career and the many different titles she has held along the way.
Chief Patrol Agent Ryan Landrum sits down with the U.S. Border Patrol Academy's very own Commander of Agents to discuss the role she played as the Commander of Agents, her unique leadership style, a career honoring our fallen, and the faith she holds dear. Sit back and enjoy this conversation as we prepare for Veterans' Day weekend. Thank you veterans for your service.
Acting Patrol Agent in Charge of the Special Operations Group (SOG) Border Patrol Tactical Unit (BORTAC) sits down with Chief Patrol Agent Ryan Landrum to talk about his military career, the reasons why he joined the Border Patrol, and his experience as a member of SOG BORTAC.
Acting Deputy Commissioner Benjamine "Carry" Huffman chats with Chief Ryan P. Landrum about the 30 plus years career with CBP.

W.I.N. ​- What's Important Now