Border Patrol leaders receptive to strategy to win
The Border Patrol of the Department of Homeland Security is in a tremendous transition. Tasked with defending America from terrorists, weapons, narcotics, and illegal aliens, the group’s responsibility has never been greater. Well aware of the critical nature of their assignments, the executive leaders were very receptive when I delivered my keynote address A Winning Strategy to kick off the Border Patrol Chiefs Conference in El Paso on July 12.
And I was receptive to learning how the administration’s Operation Jump Start is impacting America. Twelve thousand agents have patrolled 6,000 miles of land border with Canada and Mexico, in addition to 2,000 miles of coastal border. Customs and Border Protection’s (CBP) goal is to recruit and train an additional 6,000 agents by the end of 2008. Meanwhile, President Bush wants Operation Jump Start to deploy 6,000 National Guard troops to the borders by August. More than thirty states have already responded to this call and a positive difference is being made. Troops will be systematically withdrawn as new Agents come on board.
The July 12-14 intensive meeting at Radisson El Paso was attended by all 60 CBP Sector Chiefs, along with executive staff from Washington. Among those who participated in the program were US Border Patrol Chief David Aguilar, Commissioner Ralph Basham, Lt. Gen. Steven Blum of the National Guard Bureau and Counterterrorism Executive Director Kevin McAleenan. Chief Charles Whitmire was introduced as the new director of the Border Patrol Academy, a major institution in the United States today.
Chief Aguilar welcomed the group and gave an overview of preparing for unprecedented growth. He said that, according to polls, the three things Americans have most on their minds are illegal immigrants, illegal narcotics and terrorism. He was appointed Chief in May 2004 and assumed the position on July 1, 2004. As the nation’s highest-ranking Border Patrol officer, Chief Aguilar brings the knowledge and experience gained from more than 26 years of service . He impressed me with his dynamic commitment to securing America’s borders. Pray for Chief Aguilar and CBP daily.
I have customized my nine principles in A Strategy to Win to apply them to the specific challenges facing the Border Patrol. A briefing with CBP Senior Associate Chief Sal Nieto gave me perspective and led me to first emphasize the importance of discovering, developing and wisely utilizing various strengths as CBP grows in diversity. And then, noting that rapid growth often leads to feeling overwhelmed and frustrated, I highlighted methods for promoting positive expectations.
Third, since creativity is essential in times of abrupt, gradual, or planned change, we review the steps of the creative process. Fourth, differentiating between temporary failure and total defeat, I shared ideas about communication and esprit de corps. Since principle five deals with values ​​clarification, I stressed the need to match professed beliefs with actions. CBP’s integrity must not only be maintained, but also enhanced during this difficult transition period. The sixth principle, goal setting, is crucial and Chief Aguilar has set some lofty goals. Just as successful employee assimilation and border protection are ongoing processes for CBP, from time to time we all need to ask ourselves, “Where have I been? Where am I now? Where am I going? What does it take to get there?”
Principle seven deals with visualization. The importance of being visionary cannot be overstated with CBP. The visions of today’s leaders and agents help prevent tomorrow’s terrorists, weapons, narcotics and intrusions. Regarding teamwork, unlike people who say that there is no “me” in the TEAM, I emphasized the importance of the Individual in the TEAM. My philosophy is: “Individuals make the plays and teams win the championships.” There is no team championship without heroic individual contributions.
Principle nine is “Do it now!” With 1.2 million arrests and the seizure of more than one million pounds of narcotics during the last fiscal year, the need for ACTION is clear. Attack the problem. Create opportunities. Form a team to be together. Instill a burning desire. Overcome adversity. Now is the time.
We are all challenged to apply in our professions and live the commitment that CBP, Chief Aguilar and the US Border Patrol are applying in their efforts.