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US Army and Border Patrol recruit at rodeo event
🇱🇹 Lithuania /Elections & Politics

US Army and Border Patrol recruit at rodeo event

From Delfi · () Lithuanian

Translated from Lithuanian, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

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  • The U.S. Army and Border Patrol are using unique recruitment strategies, including at a Professional Bull Riders (PBR) event.
  • This initiative aims to boost recruitment numbers by appealing to individuals who value hard work and integrity, similar to rodeo cowboys.
  • The Border Patrol has seen a significant increase in applications, partly due to increased funding and a focus on hiring under the Trump administration.

The U.S. Army and Border Patrol are employing an unconventional strategy to attract new recruits by appearing at a Professional Bull Riders (PBR) event, blending Western grit with military appeal. This initiative, coinciding with America's 250th anniversary, seeks not only to draw fans to the rodeo but also to enlist individuals into military and law enforcement branches.

Space Force and the U.S. Border Patrol have set up recruitment stations at the event. PBR CEO Sean Gleason sees a natural synergy, stating, "Our cowboys believe in hard work, honesty, integrity, helping your neighbor, and not being selfish. That's exactly what it takes to serve in the military, the U.S. Border Patrol, or any first responder service."

Our cowboys believe in hard work, honesty, integrity, helping your neighbor, and not being selfish. That's exactly what it takes to serve in the military, the U.S. Border Patrol, or any first responder service.

— Sean GleasonPBR CEO explaining the connection between rodeo values and military service.

The Border Patrol, in particular, has garnered attention amid stricter immigration policies. Under the Trump administration, a law was signed to hire 3,000 new agents, and $70 billion was allocated for border security, with $26 billion specifically for the Border Patrol. This has led to a historic increase in personnel, surpassing 21,000 officers for the first time since its founding in 1924.

I have been interested in the military for a long time. I have asthma, so I cannot join the military. However, asthma is not a disqualifying factor for the border patrol.

— Cody PriceAn 18-year-old expressing his interest in joining the Border Patrol due to health restrictions.

Recruitment efforts were highly visible at the rodeo, with a Border Patrol SUV and a recruitment tent prominently displayed. The strategy appears effective, with many young attendees expressing interest. Cody Price, 18, hadn't considered the Border Patrol until seeing the recruiters. Similarly, 19-year-old Davin from Grand Junction, who couldn't join the military due to a heart condition, sees the Border Patrol as a viable alternative with slightly fewer health restrictions.

This increased interest is reflected in application numbers. From January to April 2025, the Border Patrol received approximately 35,000 applications, a 44% increase compared to the same period in 2024, a surge attributed by the Department of Homeland Security to the Trump administration's policies.

The restrictions are a little smaller in the Border Patrol.

— DavinA 19-year-old explaining his attraction to the Border Patrol due to health reasons.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Delfi in Lithuanian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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