Customs and Border Protection Officer (Air and Marine Operations)

While Border Patrol agents work on the ground and CBP Officers work at ports of entry, AMO operates the third dimension of border security: the skies and the waters. AMO is one of the largest civilian law enforcement aviation organizations in the world, operating over 240 aircraft and 300 marine vessels from stations stretching from Maine to Guam.

On a surveillance flight, an AMO aircrew might spend six to eight hours monitoring coastal approaches and remote border terrain, tracking vessel movements, photographing suspicious sites, and relaying coordinates to ground units positioned to intercept. On a marine interdiction mission, agents might board a go-fast vessel 40 miles offshore, secure the crew, document the contraband, and coordinate the seizure with the Coast Guard.

The operational variety is broad. AMO crews conduct anti-smuggling interdiction — drugs, weapons, and human trafficking — but also respond to disaster and humanitarian situations. AMO helicopters performed search and rescue operations during hurricanes Katrina, Harvey, and Helene. AMO aircraft provide aerial support for Presidential movements and national security events.

The job requires technical proficiency — aviation or maritime skills are foundational — combined with law enforcement judgment and the ability to work in dynamic, high-stakes situations with multiple agencies. The culture is closer to military aviation or Coast Guard service than to typical federal law enforcement, which attracts a specific kind of candidate.

Education:

• Bachelor's degree (any field) or combination of education and experience
• Aviation or maritime certifications often substitute for formal education requirements in pilot and marine roles

For Pilot positions:

• Commercial Pilot Certificate with instrument rating required
• 1,500 hours total flight time minimum (multi-engine time valued)
• Military pilot experience (USAF, Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard) is the most common background
• Second-Class FAA medical certificate

For Marine Interdiction Agent positions:

• Small vessel operator experience
• Military or Coast Guard maritime background valued
• USCG Operator of Uninspected Passenger Vessel (OUPV) license or equivalent

Federal hiring requirements:

• U.S. citizenship
• Background investigation (Top Secret eligibility required for some positions)
• Must be under 37 at appointment (law enforcement retirement rules; some exceptions for veterans)
• Pass physical fitness test, medical examination, drug screening
• Polygraph examination for many positions

Desirable background:

• Military service with honorable discharge (preference points and qualification credit)
• Prior federal law enforcement experience
• Experience with surveillance systems, night vision equipment, or sensor operation

CBP Air and Marine Operations has been a growth program within DHS for most of the past decade. Border security funding has expanded the AMO fleet and workforce, and the agency has consistently been hiring pilots and marine agents. As of 2026, AMO has approximately 1,800 federal agents and a stated goal of expanding capacity.

The pilot hiring environment is notable. Military aviation separations and commercial airline demand have created competition for qualified pilots across every sector. AMO competes by offering mission variety, federal benefits, law enforcement authority, and a retirement package significantly more generous than most civilian options. For military pilots who want to continue flying in a meaningful mission without the schedule demands of commercial aviation, AMO is a compelling option.

Unmanned systems are changing the nature of the work without shrinking the workforce. UAS operations require trained operators, analysts, and mission coordinators — positions that draw on aviation background even when the aircraft has no cockpit. AMO is investing in expanding its UAS capabilities, which creates new career tracks within the organization.

For candidates with aviation or maritime backgrounds, AMO offers a career path from operational agent through supervisory and leadership roles including station commander, group supervisor, and national program director. The combination of flight pay, availability pay, and locality adjustments makes the total compensation package competitive with regional airline first officers and substantially better than many law enforcement counterparts.

Dear Hiring Manager,

I am applying for the AMO Marine Interdiction Agent position at [Station]. I bring six years of active duty service in the U.S. Coast Guard, including three years operating 45-foot Response Boat-Medium vessels on law enforcement, drug interdiction, and search and rescue operations in [Region].

In my Coast Guard service I participated in 14 vessel boardings under maritime law and contributed to seizures totaling 2,400 pounds of cocaine and 800 pounds of marijuana on two significant operations in the Eastern Pacific. I understand the boarding procedures, documentation requirements, and chain-of-custody standards that maritime law enforcement requires.

What draws me specifically to AMO over returning to the Coast Guard is the expanded enforcement jurisdiction and coordination role. AMO operates in coastal, inland, and border environments simultaneously, and the integration with CBP, DEA, and Border Patrol creates enforcement operations with reach and complexity beyond what a single Coast Guard sector can run. I'm interested in that kind of coordinated enforcement work.

I hold a USCG Coxswain qualification and small boat operator experience in both calm and heavy sea states. I meet all physical and background requirements and expect an honorable discharge by [date], which should align with your onboarding timeline.

I appreciate your consideration and look forward to the opportunity to discuss this position.

[Your Name]