Comments on: What it Means to be Professional http://www.bodyguardcareers.com/2007/07/12/what-it-means-to-be-professional/ BODYGUARD CAREERS is an informational site with the purpose of providing bodyguards with all the information and tools necessary to succeed in the executive protection industry. Sat, 24 Jul 2010 05:10:03 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0 By: Doc Rogers http://www.bodyguardcareers.com/2007/07/12/what-it-means-to-be-professional/comment-page-1/#comment-159552 Doc Rogers Tue, 30 Mar 2010 20:19:26 +0000 http://www.bodyguardcareers.com/2007/07/12/what-it-means-to-be-professional/#comment-159552 Such a great article. Very motivating to hear that high-end EP agents such as yourself and the USSS are applying these professional tactics. Happy to know that the knuckle dragging day are finally over. Keep safe, Doc Such a great article. Very motivating to hear that high-end EP agents such as yourself and the USSS are applying these professional tactics. Happy to know that the knuckle dragging day are finally over. Keep safe, Doc

]]> By: Josey Marlin http://www.bodyguardcareers.com/2007/07/12/what-it-means-to-be-professional/comment-page-1/#comment-158242 Josey Marlin Tue, 09 Feb 2010 02:36:38 +0000 http://www.bodyguardcareers.com/2007/07/12/what-it-means-to-be-professional/#comment-158242 I am female, 23 years old, and wondering how to go about putting myself out in the body gurading world. I went to a credible bodygurading academy and am a black belt in two styles of martial arts (Karate and Jujitsu which I have been taking since I was seven). One problem I have to come to terms with is my height. I personally don't think it hinders me too much since I'm strong for my gender (I can bench 230 lbs)and it may cause some to underestimate me giving me the upper hand, but at 5'4", I'm left wondering who will be interested. Is this a legitimate concern? I am female, 23 years old, and wondering how to go about putting myself out in the body gurading world. I went to a credible bodygurading academy and am a black belt in two styles of martial arts (Karate and Jujitsu which I have been taking since I was seven). One problem I have to come to terms with is my height. I personally don’t think it hinders me too much since I’m strong for my gender (I can bench 230 lbs)and it may cause some to underestimate me giving me the upper hand, but at 5’4″, I’m left wondering who will be interested. Is this a legitimate concern?

]]> By: Karl Thornton http://www.bodyguardcareers.com/2007/07/12/what-it-means-to-be-professional/comment-page-1/#comment-152970 Karl Thornton Tue, 15 Sep 2009 02:15:09 +0000 http://www.bodyguardcareers.com/2007/07/12/what-it-means-to-be-professional/#comment-152970 The unfortunate part is, that the profession itself is portrayed as all muscle and punch. I am gainfully employed and successful within one of Australia’s elite bodyguard companies 538 Pty Ltd, I provide executive protection services to some of Australia’s top executives for some of Australia’s top companies, as well as other high profile individuals within the entertainment industry and corporate environment. Yes I have experience (over 25 years) across a broad range of martial arts and self defense disciplines including Karate, kickboxing, boxing, and close quarter combat. I am also qualified and licensed as a Bodyguard and in Conflict Resolution, Defensive Tactics, CIT (Cash In Transit), Baton & Handcuffs, Firearms, as well as well as being one of 538’s Head Trainers in Protocol & Etiquette, Advanced Protective Formations, and Advanced Bodyguard techniques. I am also 5"7' and 75Kg. Yes there is a place for everyone, and in some situations, and under certain circumstances height is important. I have worked doors at nightclubs where I found my height could be an issue (The intimidation factor). However in EP my height, size, and qualifications have allowed me to operate in a very rewarding environment. Executive Protection. Karl Thornton Executive Protection Specialist 538 Pty Ltd The unfortunate part is, that the profession itself is portrayed as all muscle and punch.

I am gainfully employed and successful within one of Australia’s elite bodyguard companies 538 Pty Ltd, I provide executive protection services to some of Australia’s top executives for some of Australia’s top companies, as well as other high profile individuals within the entertainment industry and corporate environment.

Yes I have experience (over 25 years) across a broad range of martial arts and self defense disciplines including Karate, kickboxing, boxing, and close quarter combat. I am also qualified and licensed as a Bodyguard and in Conflict Resolution, Defensive Tactics, CIT (Cash In Transit), Baton & Handcuffs, Firearms, as well as well as being one of 538’s Head Trainers in Protocol & Etiquette, Advanced Protective
Formations, and Advanced Bodyguard techniques.

I am also 5″7′ and 75Kg. Yes there is a place for everyone, and in some situations, and under certain circumstances height is important. I have worked doors at nightclubs where I found my height could be an issue (The intimidation factor). However in EP my height, size, and qualifications have allowed me to operate in a very rewarding environment. Executive Protection.

Karl Thornton
Executive Protection Specialist
538 Pty Ltd

]]> By: Leroy http://www.bodyguardcareers.com/2007/07/12/what-it-means-to-be-professional/comment-page-1/#comment-62605 Leroy Sat, 09 Feb 2008 01:45:55 +0000 http://www.bodyguardcareers.com/2007/07/12/what-it-means-to-be-professional/#comment-62605 Depends on the budget and planning. Taking on a solo job compared to a government based job with 20 bodies is completely different. I have utilised female EP staff to be with the Principal and as protocol made it difficult to get closer to him and not being a small was thankful for my college degree in business to be able to assume the role of a business adviser with 1 Principal who has never told anyone otherwise of my pseudo role. Dressing the part to blend in makes the difference and it could lead down to how your tie is done up to your choice of watch or shoes as to how well you blend in with the others. Some EP staff are ex military and their training dictates everything from how the dress, talk, use a bathroom and stand around to those who have adapted their experience to look appear to blend in more. A large male with more gold than Mr T is just a status symbol as a flash car is to a young wannabe and to be honest it is window dressing like the need to have 200 bodyguards when in reality only 10% would be required. Overkill to show the world - I am someone special. Depends on the budget and planning. Taking on a solo job compared to a government based job with 20 bodies is completely different. I have utilised female EP staff to be with the Principal and as protocol made it difficult to get closer to him and not being a small was thankful for my college degree in business to be able to assume the role of a business adviser with 1 Principal who has never told anyone otherwise of my pseudo role.

Dressing the part to blend in makes the difference and it could lead down to how your tie is done up to your choice of watch or shoes as to how well you blend in with the others. Some EP staff are ex military and their training dictates everything from how the dress, talk, use a bathroom and stand around to those who have adapted their experience to look appear to blend in more.

A large male with more gold than Mr T is just a status symbol as a flash car is to a young wannabe and to be honest it is window dressing like the need to have 200 bodyguards when in reality only 10% would be required. Overkill to show the world – I am someone special.

]]> By: peter http://www.bodyguardcareers.com/2007/07/12/what-it-means-to-be-professional/comment-page-1/#comment-21137 peter Thu, 02 Aug 2007 15:59:19 +0000 http://www.bodyguardcareers.com/2007/07/12/what-it-means-to-be-professional/#comment-21137 Thanks so much for the post Mark,you remain a pro. Thanks so much for the post Mark,you remain a pro.

]]> By: PJEP http://www.bodyguardcareers.com/2007/07/12/what-it-means-to-be-professional/comment-page-1/#comment-20648 PJEP Tue, 31 Jul 2007 15:50:04 +0000 http://www.bodyguardcareers.com/2007/07/12/what-it-means-to-be-professional/#comment-20648 Good Job and i totally agree. In fact i was somewhere with a client and they had so called bodyguards wearing jeans and t-shirts..no radio's... and they was telling us they had all the cetif and creditnals..well make a long story short PD came behind stage and was doing a sweep and checked my team and we had everything they needed on the other hand That clients security got arrested for not having ccw's... When will they learn! Good Job and i totally agree. In fact i was somewhere with a client and they had so called bodyguards wearing jeans and t-shirts..no radio’s… and they was telling us they had all the cetif and creditnals..well make a long story short PD came behind stage and was doing a sweep and checked my team and we had everything they needed on the other hand That clients security got arrested for not having ccw’s… When will they learn!

]]> By: justice http://www.bodyguardcareers.com/2007/07/12/what-it-means-to-be-professional/comment-page-1/#comment-20505 justice Tue, 31 Jul 2007 00:09:23 +0000 http://www.bodyguardcareers.com/2007/07/12/what-it-means-to-be-professional/#comment-20505 I am impressed after reading your article. Myself, i am an aspiring EPS who is actively looking into joining the elite world of executive protection. The propblem that i have seen so far is that most places want people that have served in the elite military jobs like the navy seals, army rangers etc. I am in the military but i do not belong to any of this job description and would like to become an Executive Protection Specialist. Any advice on how to go about this. I am impressed after reading your article. Myself, i am an aspiring EPS who is actively looking into joining the elite world of executive protection. The propblem that i have seen so far is that most places want people that have served in the elite military jobs like the navy seals, army rangers etc. I am in the military but i do not belong to any of this job description and would like to become an Executive Protection Specialist. Any advice on how to go about this.

]]> By: Hucky http://www.bodyguardcareers.com/2007/07/12/what-it-means-to-be-professional/comment-page-1/#comment-20258 Hucky Mon, 30 Jul 2007 00:35:54 +0000 http://www.bodyguardcareers.com/2007/07/12/what-it-means-to-be-professional/#comment-20258 While I agree that a security detail for the President is very different than that for other celebrities, I think you completely missed the point of the article--that to succeed long-term in this field requires more than physical size and strength. Certainly, size as an intimidation tactic is effective, but physical force or use of weapons is always the LAST resort. My point was the importance of having some intellect and good common sense in managing situations. Planning will help to prevent the need for using physical force. What I'm suggesting is that people who want into this field, develop skills IN ADDITION TO handling firearms and hand-to-hand combat. The ability to remain calm, focused, and to use verbal skills to diffuse escalating situations is important. The ability to foresee and predict potential problems is essential. I am talking about management, not muscles. Sadly, alot of guys who are just big (and often angry) think they should be a bodyguard. There's more to it than physical strength. By the way, my stats: Ht. 60 Wt. 260 While I agree that a security detail for the President is very different than that for other celebrities, I think you completely missed the point of the article–that to succeed long-term in this field requires more than physical size and strength. Certainly, size as an intimidation tactic is effective, but physical force or use of weapons is always the LAST resort. My point was the importance of having some intellect and good common sense in managing situations. Planning will help to prevent the need for using physical force. What I’m suggesting is that people who want into this field, develop skills IN ADDITION TO handling firearms and hand-to-hand combat. The ability to remain calm, focused, and to use verbal skills to diffuse escalating situations is important. The ability to foresee and predict potential problems is essential. I am talking about management, not muscles. Sadly, alot of guys who are just big (and often angry) think they should be a bodyguard. There’s more to it than physical strength.

By the way, my stats: Ht. 60 Wt. 260

]]> By: VicTX http://www.bodyguardcareers.com/2007/07/12/what-it-means-to-be-professional/comment-page-1/#comment-19769 VicTX Sat, 28 Jul 2007 02:19:28 +0000 http://www.bodyguardcareers.com/2007/07/12/what-it-means-to-be-professional/#comment-19769 First of all, I find the illustration offensive. The implication that size is unimportant in all cases is 100% off base. The President's security needs are VERY different than other high-profile, celebrity principals. Most EPS will never fire their weapon, but will have to use physical force on occasion. Most clients don't have hundred-man teams. If you have a 3 man detail and are required to take on attackers in a night club, size is VERY important. Also, psychology 101 will tell you that intimidation will prevent many "opportunity" attacks. There is more to EP than planing to avoid confrontation. If planing was everything, EP training would not include hand-to-hand combat and weapons training. Perhaps the author should come-to-terms with his small stature before writing his next article. First of all, I find the illustration offensive. The implication that size is unimportant in all cases is 100% off base. The President’s security needs are VERY different than other high-profile, celebrity principals. Most EPS will never fire their weapon, but will have to use physical force on occasion. Most clients don’t have hundred-man teams. If you have a 3 man detail and are required to take on attackers in a night club, size is VERY important. Also, psychology 101 will tell you that intimidation will prevent many “opportunity” attacks.

There is more to EP than planing to avoid confrontation. If planing was everything, EP training would not include hand-to-hand combat and weapons training. Perhaps the author should come-to-terms with his small stature before writing his next article.

]]> By: Sammuel http://www.bodyguardcareers.com/2007/07/12/what-it-means-to-be-professional/comment-page-1/#comment-19652 Sammuel Fri, 27 Jul 2007 16:55:39 +0000 http://www.bodyguardcareers.com/2007/07/12/what-it-means-to-be-professional/#comment-19652 Hucky: Been busy working my current detail and wanted to say thanks and good luck with future projects. This was a great read and it is all about us as professionals, to train the client in the true meaning of Executive Protection. It is great to see that you are getting comments from true pros in our line of work. Hope we will talk and meet soon in the future. Sammuel Hucky:

Been busy working my current detail and wanted to say thanks and good luck with future projects. This was a great read and it is all about us as professionals, to train the client in the true meaning of Executive Protection. It is great to see that you are getting comments from true pros in our line of work. Hope we will talk and meet soon in the future.

Sammuel

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