True, he won't get the 1.7 multiplier, but he could get a normal 1% FERS pension with his buyback time by doing the CBP job. His 4.5 years in a 6c position would def earn him the vesting he needs, to draw a 1% FERS retirement. What difference does it make if the job is 6c or not? Sure, he'd be doing it at a discount compared to someone who can put in the required 20 years as 6c for the 1.7% multiplier, but he was never going to reach that anyways so that's a sunk cost to him.

Ditto on the recommendation of going for AD retirement. For disclosure, I actually have the same amount of AD time as the OP, and I'm def going for full AD retirement in the Reserves as an AGR. The reason I didn't throw in that suggestion is when I saw he's already been a min runner in the Guard for 3 years, which means he's only 3 years to 20 good reserve years. IOW he's no spring chicken. Plus the fact he's asking a lot of questions about homesteading tells me this guy is done with the deployment grind and why he's asking about de facto desk jobs in the GS side. Finding AGR jobs in the Guard right now is a non-starter with the airlines stop-hiring. It's too late already in this environment. Musical chairs are prob full already. His own unit's technician jobs are full up (title 5 I'm presuming, the Guard's different full time statuses are foreign to me as an AFRC baby).

Also, the ARC (Guard and Res) has been used and abused as an expeditionary force for the past two decades, and is nothing more than AD Lite now. Depending on local leadership, going full time (ARTs have some deployment heismann leverage title 10/32 AGRs don't) in the ARC right now in a combat-coded unit means you're back to being gone from the family to the gratuitous frequency Active Duty loses people over every year in the first place. QOL Non-starter for this guy probably. I'm in a specific niche that insulates me from much of the deployment thrash, but my AGR is an institutional Reserve outlier, and one I low-crawled for 8 years to secure after years in the border. So I'm not gonna proffer it as the norm nor easily attained to be of any help to this guy.
Are non-LEO GS flying jobs that much easier to attain? My cursory experience with acquaintances and enough 1st hand experience with USAJOBS in the Lost Decade lead me to believe that is not the case. Shy of raking farm truck tires pointlessly with the border patrol people in Laredo, the UAS job is probably the quickest way to getting homesteading. Well that or licking stamps at the post office :D

I believe to continue federal health insurance (Federal Blue Cross Blue Shield, etc.) the employee needs to be a GS/FERS employee for 5 continuous years immediately before retirement.

In "today's world" having that platinum level BCBS card above is very important

I'm in a bit of a weird spot. I've been flying for one of the legacy carriers for the past 4 years. I'm sure some think I'm overreacting, but I believe that if this situation doesn't get resolved quickly then I'll be looking for another job come 1 Oct. My thinking was that if I did get furloughed then I could try to find a spot that I could just do my 4.5 years to have a guaranteed pension and then go back to the airlines if I'm still interested in that life. AGR spots are definitely hard to come by, and I just don't see that in the cards. I've got young kids, so being at home for the next 5 years would be a big win. I just assumed that volunteering for UAS would get me the time at home, and hopefully a decent location.

Nah, that's not really a weird spot. You got out and with 14 AD went and tried your lot at the airlines + TR guard job. Dime a dozen story.

There's nothing wrong with your plan. My only question is have you lived in the SW border? I did 7.5 years there, and that was a very trying time for my family. What is a "decent" location mean to you? Only you can answer that for your family and their circumstances.

Honestly, an ART job would be right up your alley, if such a thing was available to you either by transferring to AFRC, or whatever the Guard calls their GS/TR dual status full time people. The other benefit to ARTs is they tend not to deploy with their units as much, as they're considered the admin backbone of the squadron. Not to say local leadership doesn't goad their full timers to buy into the AD-Lite nonsense, but in general it's much more difficult to make an ART go. And they're certainly not gonna deploy you in civilian status (too much $$$). Something to consider.

The only problem is you can't MLOA to an ART job. Has to be title 10 or 32. A personal leave of absence would do it though, and I bet ya come October 2020 nobody's gonna give you grief over it if it came to it. AGR would be ideal. You could take that to AD retirement, even if it exceeded USERRA. Again, PLOA for the balance reamining to AD retirement would probably not be an issue, otherwise you can get to full AD retirement piecemeal (troughing/bumming, does not go against USERRA when done in sub-30 day chunks) for the difference. You can also get on USERRA exempt tour (staff, school, contingency deployment, whatever) and get your check o the month and ride into the sunset. At that point you can re-assess your life stage and go back to the airline, or not if it's not to your liking based on what you see 6 years from now. You have options, CBP is not the only one.

I think it has been established by the UAS folks on here that the UAS gig, shift work as it may be, can get ya the pedestrian schedule you seek. if you can stomach the monotony and the overnight schedules if any. The location issue is the only wildcard of consequence, and again you will have to assess whether that's up your wheelhouse. Good luck!

Absolutely agree with hindsight on the UAS predictably piece. If you’re on a good seniority list now, I actually do think UAS makes sense. Not least the health care mentioned above. You can even continue your search for an AGR job while an AIA.

The UAS locations are slightly better than SW border. Several Sierra Vista guys live on the south side of Tuscon. Diver could give the actual town but I think it’s an artsy-fartsy enclave type spot. Long drive but I think worth it. San Angelo - meh - but they a have a PC-12 incentive bird. GFK is a nice town if you can take the winters.

Diverb -

You haven't been following the ASIP Hiring thread then!
For at least the last two hiring cycles, Flight Check has dropped the 500 hrs ME requirement.
Of course that was in a different hiring environment than we are likely to see in the coming months (hopefully not years)
One other slight correction - at least for now those King Airs are -300s, not -350s, but word in the wind is the replacement will be those Special Mission -350ERs; but we'll know for sure when the replacement show up on the line and ready to go!

As a strictly UAS driver (18x) for big blue AIA still seems like a great deal (more so in this ecomic downturn). When my ADSC is over I'll probably apply. Just about the only place that values RPA experience and also provides an opportunity to eventually fly other air frames (actually flying more than zero hours while at a UAS location, and eventually transferring out of UAS). On the APC profile it says GS-13, 3rd year annual pay - $143,396, that along with a traditional guard position looks like a win compared to flying RPAs for the Air Force active duty for 20 years.

I appreciate all the info. My unit doesn't have any ART jobs open, and they're all be converted to AGRs anyway. I've been looking at a few other GS type jobs, but the AIA sounded like it may be cool. My family hasn't lived in the SW at all, so I really don't know what to expect with those locations. Having a companion trainer AC would be cool, but not a deal-breaker. I'll still be flying/deploying with my ANG unit so flight time isn't an issue for me. Are the UAVs 5 on 2 off? Are you working a lot of weekends/holidays? What do you wish you'd known prior to going AIA for UAVs or in general?

Diverb -

I'm certainly glad I could provide any information for you and other AIAs. I think most of you guys are the shinzt and I've always been sad to see the AIA position get pounded on the boards. If it wasn't for medical reasons I feel that I would be right there with you, so who knows if fate played a hand or just better timing on my part but I feel some kinship with you at least in spirit since I wanted to be there with you.

I'm sorry you got bad intel from the HR too. They DO NOT know all of the ins-and-outs and usually have to be hand fed the information. Sometimes they pass by a bit or two it seems. Over the last couple of hiring announcements many of the usual Flight Inspection required minimums were pushed aside - the ATP (though they say that it was always the eligibility for an ATP) and the 500 hr of MEL were certainly two of the former requirements which were not in play during the last few hiring sessions. At one point even the 100 hrs in the last 12 months for external hires (50 hrs for internal hires) was thought to be wavered, but at the last moment was kept in place since there w ere enough applicants whom met that requirements - so you see how even the 'requirements' bob and weave.

Depending on the manner in which you applied - meaning through which announcement - and to which office in particular if not to any and all - the requirements change. The number one applicant for a certain FIFO might not even make the list for another FIFO.

Just keep in touch with MT since you already have his ear. Keep your eye out for the 2181 announcement on USAJOBS.

Sorry to hijack the thread for a bit.
Good luck to you and your AIA brothers.
I standby to help any of you guys/gals out with whatever information I have if you anyone is interested.

Does anyone in here have any insight on what Aguadilla, PR looks like as far as living and the aircraft being utilized for their missions? Is it heavily UAS or is there a good amount of airplane flying?


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Thanks for the quick response. My wife and I agreed that if I were to accept a position, it would only be in PR as far as the new hire stations. She has no desire to be on the SW border at this time.
Diverb, are you a current AIA? If so, may I PM you?


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Aguadilla PR
 

living in aguadilla is great. Crime is generally low and there are many places to shop and eat. A nice rental is hard to come by and if you do find something, expect to pay 15-2k a month. PR flys Blackhawk, Astar, Dash-8 maritime patrol.

I'd love to hear more from anyone who has spent time in Aguadilla.
I have a wife and 2 girls, ages 4 and 6. Wife said she would consider it. Is it true you get a transfer out date now?

Aguadilla
 

Some agents live on coast gaurd base housing but most live in surrounding communities. You can send your kids to one of many private schools or DOD school. Understand that you will be living in a Latin American country in the Caribbean. There are many positives and negatives that go along with that.
One big positive is that people are generally very polite and family oriented. One negative is that power and water go out every once and a while. I would highly recommend that you plan a trip to the west side of PR and visit before you make a decision.

Do you and your precious family a favor and FORGET PR! Out of the 5 or so garden spots, I'd suggest SJT for the family.
PR is not for Gringos. For a week or so vacation, it's ok. Your mileage may vary. Good luck!

Cultural predilections/bias against life in PR are noted. Or as we call it, just another Tuesday in the Anglo-centric echo chamber that is APC. To each their own. Moving on...

As a PR native, I'll say for the benefit of those who asked, the more significant aspect of the comparison deals with the tax implications. A federal worker who is a bona fide resident of PR owes income taxes to Dept de Hacienda (aka state level IRS) in lieu of the federal government. Income taxes in PR are the highest of the entire nation (33% above 60K). The IRS treats PR as a foreign entity for tax credits (it's a tax haven for CONUS tax cheats, with the latest art 20 and 22 being perfect examples of the gentrifying grift). That's the quiet part of why PR is maintained as a colony and not pushed towards political enfranchisement/equality, but I digress.

As such, you will get a foreign income tax credit on your federal taxes, effectively zeroing out your federal tax liability by virtue of paying all your taxes to PR. Suffice to say you'll pay more in income taxes down there than most (federal) + (states that have income tax) combined. The property taxes are VERY low by comparison, but don't come anywhere near to making up for those gargantuan income tax rates. GS scales in PR are paid as "rest of the US" rate, so no relief there either. Something to consider.

Aguadilla is my father's hometown and my summer hometown growing up. With the arrival of Lufthansa Mx depot and all the tenant units of the DOD and DHS located in the old Ramey AFB infrastructure, housing has clipped up a little, but it's still much lower paced than San Juan MSA, where I grew up proper. Airline service from BQN to FL and New England destinations is fairly convenient all things considered. Plenty of "gringos" in the area and all the way down to Mayagüéz (Rincón being a popular spot for surfing aficionados, albeit a bit gentrified by monied Anglos and snowbirds in the last decade or so). All that to say, in PR municipalities where federal W-2 critters congregate, English is more than sufficient to live and thrive.

If it wasn't for the tax implications and the lack of statehood, I would have come back home a long time ago. Maybe after mil retirement if I dabble with the airlines, commuting on a snowbird basis would be a good compromise. Truly amazing geography and weather. I miss it every day. Good luck with the job hunt.

thanks for the info

I also see El Paso is available for new hires as well. Are there any opinions/facts as to which border towns more dangerous than the other? Or which border town may have a better QOL as far as schools, environment, and cost of living?


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Hello guys, out of curiosity, is CBP getting a ton of resumes/applications like the other few jobs out there that keep hiring?.

email the CBP AIA recruiter...

Does anyone have a list of current flying assignment locations one could eventually get assigned to? I know they're pushing Aguadilla, Yuma, McAllen, San Angelo, etc. right now, but I'm curious where other opportunities may exist in the future.

Whats the QOL looking like in 2020? Have things gotten better for the pilots?

From my understanding of things, new hires can expect Southwest border, or Puerto Rico, as first-assignment.

, how was your first week back in AMO? You ready for a another few years?

Diverb has a lot of great insight guys, definitely listen to this him.

My wife would visit El Paso and consider it. For any of the guys that live down there, how smart would it be to buy a house there? New builds and newer houses seem fairly cheap (sub $250K for a decent sized house). Any good areas to look at if we visit?

Quick question for the experienced guys. I'm curious about the initial training, apart from the aviation related stuff. I understand there's a specific training to become a law enforcement officer, and then the aviation related part?. If that was the case, is it the typical army-like bootcamp? more like police academy?.
I'm a big guy, recovering from a broken ankle, so not int he best shape of my life at all.....and I wonder how compatible would that be with the job.

Thank you.

Training
 

you will spend five months at the Federal law enforcement training center in Georgia. It’s a federal police academy. The training is focused on general law enforcement tactics and knowledge. You will leave the academy trained to enforce immigration, customs and many other federal laws. You do t have to be in great shape to pass, but you will be participating in exercise, tactics and police scenarios on a Daily basis. This is a law enforcement position.

10 mile ruck marches... that’s pretty hard core.

Scub -

im not saying it was Marine Boot Camp or anything but you guys definitely has some serious PT requirements and hand-to-hand training (grappling) didn’t you? One of the major reason I didn’t pursue CBP after retirement was that I couldn’t physically past my last USMC PFT (I could do the BFT). And I assumed that with my medical condition I wouldn’t be able to pass the physical requirements of the FLETC. Can you expand on some of the current physical requirements?

The PT isn’t difficult by any measure. Having said that, most injuries occur during grappling or training sessions. Grappling is usually done at 20-50 percent effort depending on the student. I saw several people sent home for injuries from arrest technique training.

It really sounds like a great experience, but I guess this ankle of mine ain't going that far. I remember those Dash 8 in Puerto Rico, beautiful machine.

Does anyone know what’s the current status of the hiring process? Are all hiring process (i.e. polygraph, flight assessment, interview etc.) halted due to the Corona Virus? And if so, does anyone know when it is going to resume?

Poly is the only thing on pause so if you have a poly waiver, then you can get through the process. You just may not get an EOD.


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Thank you for the info. Do you happen to know when the poly will resume?

Not really exactly. From what I last heard they want to resume it in a few weeks.


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I can tell you that everyone who had a FLETC class date is still getting the same EOD date. Now they are waiting for FLETC to re open. HR was telling me they are trying to decide what to do with their "rodeo" (big hiring event). So I would at least apply. Even without this pandemic, it took me 8 months to complete the entire hiring process and get an EOD date. Good Luck.

keep in mind the Fiscal Year ends Sept-30. With this being an election year and whatever else drama exists in DC, this may impact hiring of federal employees if no budget is passed, etc.

I am in the process. Unfortunately, My process was halted due to the COVID-19. Eight months process for you, were you doing the fast track process?

Yes. I transferred in from another DHS agency and my poly reciprocity got denied. It was 3 months waiting for denial and the 2 months to get one scheduled.

When do you find out where you will be stationed, and what aircraft? Is it before training, or is upon completion of the academy? Thanks.

Ok, awesome! Thanks for your help!