see also: in July 2008:   CBP Discovers 2.7 Tons of Marijuana on Cargo Box Truck   Holiday Travel Reminder for Northwest Border Crossers   Current, Former CBP Employees Assist in Arrest of Purse Snatchers   CBP Officers Arrest Man Wanted for Failure to Register as Sex Offender   California SENTRI Participant in Hot Water, CBP Finds Dope in Vehicle   CBP Officers Arrest Man Wanted for Aggravated Sexual Assault on Minor   CBP Revokes Trusted Traveler Privileges After Finding Prohibited Items During Inspection ...more on cbp.gov:   CBP News Releases   Press Officers Border Patrol

contacts for this news release

Washington - For the first time, U.S. Customs and Border Protection recruiters will look to Tennessee and neighboring states with six simultaneous Border Patrol agent recruiting events. On Saturday, July 26, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., CBP’s Tennessee Blitz will launch recruiting events in six population centers including the Tennessee cities of Nashville, Memphis and Knoxville, along with Baton Rouge, La., Little Rock, Ark., and Louisville, Ky.

“Our agents protect America in America,” said Joe Abbott, national recruiting director. “This is as much about public education as it is recruiting Border Patrol agents. We are embarking on a recruiting mission into states that may not be as familiar with the Border Patrol, and we are certain that with awareness comes interest in this unparalleled federal law enforcement opportunity.”

In 2006, President George W. Bush announced his commitment to add 6,000 additional Border Patrol agents by the end of 2008. With more than 16,700 agents on board today, CBP is working toward a total of 18,000 agents by the end of this year. This is the largest expansion of the Border Patrol in history.

Hiring an unprecedented number of Border Patrol agents sparked efforts to expand its recruiting approach.

Along with the Tennessee Blitz, national outreach includes the second year of a NASCAR Nationwide Series Racing #28 car sponsorship, the launch of the Border Patrol Minority Recruitment Strike Team, a Professional Bull Riders sponsorship, simultaneous Border Patrol-initiated recruitment events across the country, and recruiting at U.S. military installations in the continental U.S. and abroad.

On Saturday, Tennessee Blitz on-site recruiters will offer:

• Answers to applicant questions;
• Application assistance and online application submission;
• Test-taking tips, practice testing and evaluation; and
• Accounts of their career experiences protecting our nation's borders.

Five things a Border Patrol recruit can expect:

1. Border Patrol recruits earn between $36,000 and $46,000 in their first year, with the potential of earning up to $70,000 per year within three years of service.
2. Benefits include federal health insurance, life insurance and retirement, and up to 25 percent additional pay in overtime opportunities.
3. Successful Border Patrol candidates will complete a rigorous screening process, which includes a written examination and structured interview, language aptitude or Spanish proficiency test, along with a physical fitness test and medical examination.
4. Training is provided and includes a 55-day basic training program upon successfully passing a Spanish proficiency exam in the academy; all others will complete a 40-day Spanish immersion course upon completing basic training. All training is conducted in Artesia, N.M.
5. Initial assignments will be in Arizona, California, New Mexico, and Texas.

Border Patrol Snapshot

The Border Patrol is specifically responsible for patrolling almost 7,000 miles of Mexican and Canadian international land borders and 95,000 miles of shoreline.

One of the most important activities of a Border Patrol agent is line watch. This involves the detection, prevention and apprehension of terrorists, undocumented aliens and smugglers of aliens or illegal goods at or near the land border.

For recruiting event information, dial toll free 1-877-277-9527 or apply online at the Border Patrol website. ( Border Patrol )

Tennessee Blitz Recruiting Locations Saturday, July 26 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Knoxville Knoxville Marriott 500 Hill Avenue, SE Knoxville, TN 37915	Baton Rouge Embassy Suites Hotel 4914 Constitution Avenue Baton Rouge, LA 70808-3352
Memphis Crowne Plaza Memphis 300 North Second Street Memphis, TN 38105	Little Rock Holiday Inn Presidential Hotel 600 Interstate 30 Little Rock, AR 72202
Nashville Marriott Nashville at Vanderbilt 2555 West End Avenue Nashville, TN 37203	Louisville The Seelbach Hilton Louisville 500 South Fourth Avenue Louisville, KY 40202

U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control and protection of our nation's borders at and between the official ports of entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.