SMA, International Senior Enlisted Leaders Tour U.S.-Mexico Border
By Meghan Portillo - NCO Journal
April 14, 2016
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Sgt. Maj. of the Army Daniel Dailey and senior enlisted leaders from around the world toured the U.S-Mexico border on Wednesday as part of the International Training and Leader Development Symposium at Fort Bliss, Texas.
The soldiers, representing about 55 countries, visited the border crossing between Sunland Park, New Mexico, and Rancho Anapra, Mexico. Border Patrol agents gave the group a 30-minute presentation, then answered questions. Topics discussed included the basics of the job, the terrain Border Patrol agents face, the technology they use, their tracking abilities and the prosecution process for individuals caught crossing illegally.
The tour ended at the National Border Patrol museum in El Paso, Texas, where the soldiers learned about the early days of the Border Patrol. A helicopter and old patrol vehicles were found on one side of the museum, while the other displayed flying crafts, carts, motorcycles and hand-made boats utilized by undocumented immigrants. Soldiers also perused through weapons exhibits, displays showing the changes in the Border Patrol uniform and a room dedicated to agents who lost their lives in the line of duty.