The personal website of Joseph Blecha, Retired Army Staff Sergeant and former US Border Patrol Agent.

Joseph's Army service began in Baghdad, where from November 2003 to May 2005 he served with the Washington State Army National Guard's 1-161st Mechanized Infantry Battalion, attached to 1/9 Cavalry, during Operation Iraqi Freedom II. His tasks included the coordination of: close air support, medical evacuation, intelligence, logistics, and the security of senior personnel. He went on to serve as an operations NCO, Truckmaster, and Squad Leader until retiring from the 1-186 Brigade Support Battalion in Berlin, Vermont, in 2021.

Joseph began his Patrol career on the Southern Border of the United States as a line agent in Nogales, Arizona. During this time, he worked tirelessly to combat narcotics trafficking, human smuggling, and the prevention of weapons of mass destruction entering the United States. In addition to the thousands of illegals apprehended and narcotics seized, some notable highlights include several large narcotics seizures of 2,000 pounds or more, providing security for visiting DARPA and DHS personnel, and a brief appearance on National Geographic Television's "Border Wars."

After 7 years, he transferred to the Northern Border's Newport, Vermont Station. His noteworthy cases included an interdiction that recovered $1.6 million in counterfeit Xanax, disarmament of a gunman in a hostage situation, and an Amber Alert that ended with a missing child brought home. From 2016 to 2018, he served on Newport's Targeted Enforcement Unit, focusing on the dismantling of human trafficking organizations and supporting local law enforcement departments on warrants and the de-escalation of armed threats.

Outside of work, he proudly calls Northern Idaho home. Joseph's favorite hobbies include 3D printing, shooting, reloading and AI development, as well as spending time as a hobbyist computer programmer, aspiring game developer, and okay(ish) outdoorsman.

When not being a total nerd, he loves spending time with his beautiful wife, Rachael, family, his best boy, Benny, and his beloved cat, Sophie.

AA from Clark College (2001). 2006 graduate of the CBP Border Patrol Academy in Artesia, New Mexico.

Military, civilian, Federal Law Enforcement Training Center, and Homeland Security certifications, including CompTIA A+, Weapons of Mass Effect (CBRN), Enhanced Vehicle Pursuit Course, Mobile Surveillance Systems (radar, thermal), Backscatter Mobile X-Ray Systems, the Army's Signal Support System Specialist (25U), Motor Transport Operator (88M), and Warrior Leadership Course (WLC).

Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary and Service Medals, Meritorious Unit Citation (Permanent Award), and the Armed Forces Reserve Medal with Mobilization Device, among others.