U.S. Border Patrol welcomes milestone national academy class

Border Patrol Academy

The Border Patrol convened the 1,000th session of the Border Patrol Academy in New Mexico on Jan. 17.

The new class of 48 men and women from around the nation will receive training at the Border Patrol’s Artesia, NM national academy, said the agency, where they will undergo five months of intense training including instruction in law, immigration, firearms, driving and physical techniques.

The newly-hired agents will begin their career with the Border Patrol as members of Class 1,000, said the agency.

“On this historic occasion, I am privileged to administer the oath of office to the members of class 1,000 as they join us and prepare for the U.S. Border Patrol Academy,” said Tucson Sector Chief Patrol Agent Rick Barlow in a Jan. 17 statement. “These are the individuals who will help lead our organization into the future.”

The Border Patrol currently employees more than 20,000 agents nationwide and is still tasked with securing America’s borders and disrupting any attempt to harm the nation.

The Border Patrol was established in 1924 with 450 patrol inspectors. Originally charged with securing the nation’s borders between ports of entry, the agency said it has seen significant changes since then. In 1925, it duties were expanded to patrol the seacoast and in 1935, motorized vehicles with radios were added. It was merged into Customs and Border Protection under DHS following the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 200.

Historically, said the Border Patrol, the first patrol inspectors received little on-the-job training and were ill-prepared for the demands of the job. New hires were given a revolver and badge but were expected to provide their own horse and saddle, it said. After trying several locations, today all new agents complete their academy training in Artesia, it said.