Terrorism and Homeland Security - Essay Example

Terrorism and Homeland Security Department Terrorism and Homeland Security CBP officers are empowered by the law and Department of Homeland Security regulations to perform their duties of protecting the borders. This is the career that I would choose under the Homeland Security umbrella. In the organisational chart, the officers fall under the US Customs and Border Protection (CBP). The priority mission of the CBP is generally homeland security. It is charged with securing, managing and controlling the nation’s borders by preventing terrorists and terrorist weapons from entering the nation’s borders.

This involves improving the security between, and at the nation’s ports of entry, and also extending security to and beyond the physical borders. This is made possible through the creation of smart borders and a layered defence in depth strategy (White, 2012). A CBP officer’s main mission is, therefore, to protect the nation’s borders, be the nation’s frontline, safeguard the homeland at, and beyond the borders with vigilance as well as ensure integrity and professionalism. The CBP requires that every officer be reliable, fit for duty and trustworthy.

The director of the CBP answers directly to the deputy or secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, according to the organisational chart, making CBP a very important docket in Homeland Security. The reason behind CBP being my career of choice is so that I could be a in the team that protects the nation against terrorists’ attacks, facilitates legitimate trade and travel and keeps the nation and its citizens safe. The officers are also customarily the first representatives of the government that the public meets.

They are the first impression of the nation and, therefore, should maintain high professional appearance and standard of conduct regardless of any circumstance. The reliance on the officers by the nation to carry out the various duties and responsibilities according to the law and CBP policies depicts the importance of this job. The required qualification for a CBP officer include being able to meet and deal with people and also the ability to apply and learn a body of facts. One should have about three years of general experience and should be able to explain the various administrative requirements in accordance with the set requirements.

In accordance to the law, one should also have a full time specialized experience that entails the performance of substantive duties in inspection works at the borders, airports, seaports and other ports of entry (White, 2012). In addition to that, one should be conversant with work involving preliminary screening of persons for entry and immigration status or regulatory work. Experience inspection works requires one to demonstrate the ability to apply specialised knowledge of the regulations, laws and the import and export procedures.

This includes dealing with persons suspected to be entering the nation illegally. An individual’s experience must also demonstrate that he or she is able to collect, develop and evaluate facts and evidence. Having education on the same course also gives one a direct qualification. A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university will take one to GS-5 level of the CBP officers. For a GS-7 level, one needs to have a master’s or higher degree qualification, or one full academic year of graduate education or to have met the provisions of SAA (Superior Academic Achievement).

Education obtained from foreign universities or colleges is, however, not creditable unless evaluated by the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services. This education must be deemed equivalent to that gained in the conventional nation’s high education programs. One could also qualify using both experience and education. This is gained by combining the percentages of one’s experience and education to qualify. The other requirements include being a citizen, and of the required age.

The candidates are referred for selection before their 37th birthday, and in accordance to the law. One should have also resided for three years, prior to his application, within the nation’s borders, its protectorates or territories. One should also possess a valid state driver’s licence at the time of appointment. The application process entails applying electronically or otherwise, after a vacancy announcements on the CBP website. This is followed by a pre-test for the positions. When one successfully passes the pre-test, one is asked a series of questions regarding his or her names, background information, address, qualifications and experience.

One is also required to fill a resume, CBP Officer Agreement, Declaration of Federal Employment as well as forward the relevant transcripts to prove qualification in education. This is done after one is selected, after which one then reports for duty and training. During this stage, one is tested on his language abilities, goes through medical examinations and drug tests, fitness test and formal academy training (White, 2012). As a CBP officer, the things I have learned in the course will help me significantly.

This is because I have learnt everything about terrorism. I am conversant with their most used tactics and behaviours, their transitions and evolution as well as their networks. We have also gone through the current forms of terrorism; hence, as a CBP officer, I am familiar with, and is still gaining knowledge on the concepts of terrorism. I believe in my best ability to fully know and understand how to deal with terrorism, as I currently have basic knowledge about its themes and tactics. The fact that I have learnt about the Department of Homeland Security in depth will assist me in my duties as a CBP officer, since I am acquainted with the organization and the various ranks in the department.

The concepts learnt in criminal justice, and that are connected to the job include; protecting civil liberties, communicating effectively with the various aspects of the criminal justice enterprise, analysing basic criminal justice theories, data gathering and decision making and the use of critical thinking to unravel problems in the field. These will leverage the expertise, capability and legal authority to establish anti terrorism inspections. As an officer, one should accept his/her responsibility to protect the nation, its citizens and the economy.

The course is, therefore, very vital in learning the laws that govern the public and the rules and regulations that one needs to follow as a Customs and Border Protection Officer. With a criminal justice degree, one will be able to effectively and efficiently accomplish this mission. Reference White, J. R. (2012). Terrorism and homeland security. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth Cengage Learning. U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY