The Field Operations Academy: What to Expect

Classroom Training

CBP Officers are required to know and understand a variety of legal and technical procedures related to the enforcement of immigration and trade law. For the initial two-thirds of the training program trainees receive several hours of classroom instruction each day. Lessons in basic law enforcement skills, anti-terrorism, interviewing techniques, immigration law, trade law, search procedures, and other topics provides trainees with the foundation needed to complete training and begin their career as a CBP Officer.

Firearms Training

Trainees receive expert instruction in Firearms Safety and Maintenance, Basic Marksmanship, CBP Specific Tactical Training, Scenario Based Training, Interactive Cover Drills, Situational Response, Reduced Light scenarios, and the CBP Practical Pistol Course that is recognized as the industry standard for law enforcement officers. CBP Officer Trainees receive a total of 77 hours of weapons handling training including familiarization with the Remington 870 shotgun and the Colt M4/A1 carbine. The training is constructed upon the building block approach that leads trainees to the point where they will understand and articulate the legal policy of their actions regarding firearms in the operational field environment.

Tactical Training

Trainees will learn and apply basic tactical concepts and methodologies to resolve a variety of use of force scenarios. Utilizing tactical transitions, prioritization, contingency planning, and situational response techniques the basic trainees will achieve skill sets critical to ensuring their safety in a variety of law enforcement situations they may encounter in the field.

Tactical Medical

The Tactical Medical (TACMED) for First Responders program is designed to provide Medical Threat Assessment techniques, which includes a medical plan for a tactical operation. Trainees will learn how to apply techniques necessary to control life threatening bleeding while under fire. Additionally, trainees will perform these techniques to treat both life threatening and non-life threatening injuries during tactical field care scenarios. During the program trainees will demonstrate lifting, moving and extracting victims from a hostile and rapidly evolving environment.

Physical Training

For the safety of themselves and others, CBP officers must be able to handle the physical rigors required on a day-to-day basis as well as respond to dangerous situations when necessary. CBP Officers are expected to move crates, crawl under vehicles, disassemble cars, and lift heavy boxes or luggage in search of hidden caches and other signs of illegal trafficking. CBP Officers are expected to respond to violent situations as they occur in a responsible, professional, and safe manner.

FOA uses a Tactical Response Training (TRT) curriculum that blends physical conditioning, arrest techniques, and defensive tactics into a single comprehensive program. Each class is designed to help trainees develop the physical ability and mental agility you need to achieve the Fitness Graduation Standards and make quick, competent decisions in a variety of use of force encounters. In addition to physical conditioning activities, trainees should expect extensive training in arrest techniques, defensive tactics, electronic control weapon (ECW), collapsible straight baton (CSB), oleoresin capsicum spray (OC), ground defense, and edged weapons.

To graduate, trainees must successfully meet the following Fitness Graduation Standards: 220 yard run in 45 seconds or less; 24 or more push-ups in one minute; and completion of a 1.5 mile run in 15 minutes or less.

Practical Exercises

During the final portion of the 89-day training program at the FOA, trainees are challenged to use their skills to complete hundreds of practical exercises. With the help of tools, technology, and role player interactions trainees face a variety of “real life” situations and learn how to appropriately respond. Instructors provide trainees with real time critical feedback necessary to prepare the trainees for real world situations they will encounter after graduation.