Rumor Control - GS-12 Upgrades
Friday, 11 September 2009

For the past two years, there have been numerous rumors that the Office of Border Patrol (OBP) was working on upgrading the journeyman grade for Border Patrol Agents from GS-11 to GS-12. The rumors have varied as to how the upgrades would occur, who would be affected, and when they would happen. Recently, the rumors from various sources assigned to OBP or who recently returned from OBP declare the GS-12 upgrades were approved and will begin next fiscal year.

Nearly two years ago, when Chief Aguilar appeared at a muster at the Chula Vista station, Chief Aguilar advised the audience that there were no plans to upgrade agents to GS-12. On July 16, 2009, three NBPC officers met with Chief Aguilar and one of the topics discussed was the rumors related to the GS-12 upgrades. Again, Chief Aguilar said there were no plans to upgrade the journeyman grade from GS-11 to GS-12. So, if the journeyman grade is going to be upgraded to GS-12 next fiscal year, then why doesn’t Chief Aguilar know about it?