Comments on: No Shortcuts

By: aP

aP — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 14:42:08 +0000

Thanks for this post. i’m interested in getting into this business by taking a course that’s fairly extensive and expensive, assuming that the extra time and longer existence of said company will equip me better. I never would assume that this will guarantee me a position, and having this reminder helps. I wouldn’t WANT to be thrown into a high-level, high-dollar, high-risk position right away, anyway, because i’d be uncomfortable about my ability to do the job well if I didn’t have time and experience to work up to it. Seems like there’s some sort of logical progression here, just like any other kind of job one might do. You don’t start out as the CEO of a fortune 500 company, you work up to it.

By: Rumble

Rumble — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 20:23:43 +0000

Absolutely true. Without naming any names (like international Executives) there are many who promise training and employment upon completion of their programs. Most are \”Head hunters\” looking to snare their next victim so be careful and do you homework.

By: Marshall

Marshall — Sat, 03 May 2008 03:38:53 +0000

I know exactly what you mean, I’ve recently started a training business, I’ve been in the field a number of years. The opening line and the closing line of my power-point is that “your first job may not be what you have expect it to be”.

Trainers should 1. be experienced in the field, 2. must teach from first hand knowledge not just something out of a book or DVD they rented

I’ve been in battle I served with the Navy and Army, I was a fire fighter, and Deputy Sheriif. I bring all that to the table when I teach. I believe in ethical transparency not mystery. I will say that my intro course is 2 days (20 Hrs.) dealing mainly with close protection foot work and IED awareness and build from there.

Again starting a training business is much like getting that first gig, you start small and build as your reputation builds

Regards

By: Jim DeVino

Jim DeVino — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 17:45:31 +0000

Per usual, Hucky is right on the mark. I have been doing protective service, criminal investigations, and intelligence collection for the federal government for over 20 years, and must say that there is no guarantees when it comes to upward mobility or obtaining that “diamond” of an assignment. That magic does not exist in government service, and the premise probably has more validity in the private sector. As I near retirement, I am putting out feelers, checking in with agents who have left federal service or retired in an effort to determine what the private market has to offer. Although I know I am capable of putting a protective detail togehter, from doing the threat assessment, advance right thought to “wheels up”, I am an unknown quantity to the private security field. Yes, I have tons of training documentation and a wealth of experience, but I need privately connected contacts to run interference for me in order to secure a position. In fact, there is a distinct possibility that I could wind up working for a guy I once supervised! That would not bother me, and indeed I recognize that I would owe that ex-subordinate a great deal for getting me my first gig in the world of private protective security. Each of you make outstanding points; I can especially emphasize with Jessie who spoke of his time in the military, getting out and picking up protection work in Iraq, and appears to be on his way to a very successful career in the private sector. I know I tend to write a lot, but I would like to just pass this short story on to you to demonstrate that when you get an opportunity to assist a fellow member of your profession, you should view that as a meaninful act. When I was supervising an a federal law enforcement region that did protective and investigative assignments, my 21-year old administrative assistant came to me and showed me his newly issued State of Florida private investigator’s license. I told him to get as much training as he could and consider doing VIP protection, in addition to investigations. I then offered to send him to the evasive and counter terrorist driving school at Bill Scott Raceway, a course I had completed while an agent with the Department of State’s Diplomatic Security Service. He took me up on my offer and shortly after completing the course he told me he was selected by a major executive protection firm to work as a sub-contractor protecting the President of Haiti. He went on to tell me that he had met a fellow student at BSR who worked for this firm and had urged him to apply as a sub-contractor with his company. I lost an excellent administrator, but the private security field gained an outstanding individual, who I understand has gone on to work in Kosovo, Iraq, and throughout Latin America on a vast amount of protective details. Thanks for the time, and best of luck ot all of you. Take care Huck!!! Jim

By: Jessie

Jessie — Tue, 12 Feb 2008 10:02:13 +0000

I agree with all of the above, I left the military in 2003, did two tours in Iraq with security firms, returned to the U.S. thinking I had what it took to perform as a bodyguard. Come to find out I gain education with each detail I work, I am a sponge to the veterans when time allows but have quickly learned to always learn:) I learned extreme amounts from Deb Conrad above, we worked a detail in 2006 together, great professional, stay safe everyone….

By: peter

peter — Thu, 31 Jan 2008 13:19:11 +0000

nice post,i face the problem here in Nigeria.Everyone want to get the piece of the cake

By: J. Schwartz

J. Schwartz — Thu, 31 Jan 2008 04:44:01 +0000

Regarding Executive protection Careers.

Your article is well written and to the point…My experience has shown me education is very important. One needs to be a skilled and ethical professional in the areas of security, Intelligence, personal protection, escort duties, technology, discretion and diplomacy. Unobtrusive; blend graciously into the surrounding of the assignment and with the personalities absorbed. As your article states Executive Protection school are not always truthful as to the training a prospective student will receive, and most will not find you a job…I received an assignment a few years ago from a research group to check out every major EP school in the Western world, ( Europe, USA, Israel, Canada, Easter Europe ) many of these schools stress military type training, rather then civilian protection techniques. Some Schools such as ESI have a one or two good instructors.For example the UK schools like to hire former SAS people, The Germans Like to hire GSG9 people and so forth. If you want to make Executive Protection your career, Go to School and listen to the TRUE experts. You are never to old to learn.

By: Charles E. Lee, II

Charles E. Lee, II — Wed, 30 Jan 2008 15:39:34 +0000

Anyone who gets into this business must, it is a must to pay your dues. There is no getting around this factor. Most client’s want us to have some type of EP training (10 yreas) or more with proven verification. Just like Huck saids, you must learn to protect yourself first. My advise: document everything and keep your records and don’t turn around and uses those records against a client (this is call loyalty). Client’s are looking for experence agents with some type of loyalty. Those who can keep their mouth shut! This is another part of our responsibility! Some client’s know that if they don’t take care of you you may become lacking in your duties. This is not just a job, people’s lives are at stake, so know what you are getting yourself into before you decide to get into this profession.
Ted, concerning Britney, there was no loyalty concerning her BG. Client’s who put their trust in their EPS listens to them. When I was with B. Brown years ago (the 80’s) there was things he wanted to do and I stepped in too advise him of the consequence. Even today, I have to advise my client on things that can’t be done. He listens because there is trust and loyalty. Plus, I have over (36 years) of expereince in this business…I guess that helps. Get the proper training and listen to those expereince instructors, their helping to keep you alive and working.

By: Carlos Amaya

Carlos Amaya — Fri, 25 Jan 2008 09:10:52 +0000

Great advice as always!! The proper education and training which will lead to appropiate certifications and licenses - which in turn will lead to landing an EPS detail from which one can gain experience is definitely of extreme importance. It is our own responsibility to make sure that we are getting the right training for the money we are paying - There is no excuse for not doing your due diligence, and you must also pay your dues in this industry without any exceptions!! As Hucky says, there are so many aspects to this profession therefore on going education/training is a must! On one of the comments Deb said that this is not police work nor are you a security guard - I’d like to offer this - it’s true, it is not police work - but let’s not forget that an EPS/Bodyguard and a Security Guard are both in the same industry - which is the Protective Services Industry - Because as I am sure we all know, EPS work may include Estate and Business Protection, I realized that when most people think of an EPS/Bodyguard, they think of the guy with the black suit and sunglassess “guarding” the celebrity or executive which is fine of course! It is important to mention again, especially for those who are new or thinking about entering this field, that EPS/Bodyguard work may include Estate and Business protection as well as the Physical protection, Personal property protection, including the Principal’s reputation!! I don’t know about you guys but if a client comes to me and tells me that he is going to Europe on vacation and he needs someone to Protect his Estate and that he will pay me $7000 if I do it, I will do it inmediately!! This is what Hucky is talking about when he says that there are so many aspects to this profession(Estate,Business,Personal). Also, on what Ted says about advertising - I agree it should be advertise so that clients will know that properly trained EPS agents are available and that they can get their monies’s worth! on the other hand - I kind of like the mystique that sarounds this profession and the reason for this mystique is that it can not be done by your average Joe/Jane - it takes a very special individual to do it - think about it, who has the guts to put his/her life on the line to save another human being? A very special individual!!
I offer my comments in a constructive manner, thank you for allowing me to do so!!

By: Ted Ashley

Ted Ashley — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 17:35:48 +0000

Great article. A major part of the problem with people thinking that any one can do this job is because we don’t advertise in the media. Our profession seem to be part of a secretive society. This has lead to most clients having some one they know personally as their protection details. I’ve noticed that a large amount of clients don’t want to to pay top dollar for protection when thay can pay a friend a lot less. If our industry would promote itself more in all forms of media itt may help change the proception that any one can do this job. One question always comes to my mind is:, Why is Britney Spears driving her self around town constantly getting into trouble with the law? Where is her protection detail?