Comments on: Celebrity Bodyguard

By: Brian G

Brian G — Sat, 23 Jul 2011 13:08:05 +0000

I am currently in the USMC but thinking about getting out to do EP. I am looking into additional training and whatnaught but i think i might be too small. im 5’11” 160 lbs. does anyone in the EP business know if this would effect having EP for my career?

By: STAN L. NOLLEY

STAN L. NOLLEY — Thu, 16 Jun 2011 05:07:15 +0000

ELIJAH ”WELL SPOKEN,IAM JUST ENTERING THE WORLD OF EXECUTIVE PROTECTION,I HAVE IAM INCORPERATING MY LAWENFORCEMENT AND MILITARY SKIILS WITH THE LEARNING AND TRAINING THAT I HAVE BEEN GAINING IN THE BUISNESS,I HAVE GAIN SCOLLS OF GREAT INFORMATION FROM YOU AND HUCKY AS WELL AS BENTIFITING FROM BODYGUARDS CAREER AND MANY OTHER PUBLISH ARTICLE PRETAINTING TO THE INDUSTRY, I HAVE MADE GREAT ADVANCEMENT IN THE PAST EIGHT MONTHS TO INCLUDE THE SKILLS THAT I BROUGHT TO THE TABLE WITH ME,I LOK FORWARD IN STLL ATTENDING TRAINING AT ICON SOME POINT IN THE NEAR FUTURE, THANK YOU YOU FOR ALL THAT YOU SHARE WITH OTHE THROUGH YOUR LINK YOU ANV HARLAN AUSTIN.

By: Laudelino Solano

Laudelino Solano — Wed, 12 Jan 2011 19:35:47 +0000

Very Well Said Elijah.
I can confirm the need for EP training no matter what your background is!
Many people have entered the executive protection business who are not properly trained in the finer aspects required of the position. There is more to the position than just being a presence.
If a security presence were all that was required, then the $9.00 an hour “uniform” guard with his whistle, nightstick, radio, and possibly a gun would be sufficient.
A police background is a good beginning because it is an excellent training ground to develop people skills and to learn that some things are never as they seem. Powers of observation, recognition, analysis, and comprehension and the ability to react to an evolving situation, so necessary to police work, are also common to executive protection professionals.
However, policing and working the street are not the same as working with the elite personalities of politics, entertainment, big business, and society.
While executive protection demands many of the skills learned in police work, such expertise with weapons and some combat skills and awareness, it also requires diplomacy, finesse, and patience, and even proper protocol and etiquette.
Takes years of experience to become fully proficient in the anuances of executive protection, and regardless of how long a person has been providing high-level protective services, there will always be an opportunity to learn something new!!

By: Joe Campbell

Joe Campbell — Wed, 15 Dec 2010 18:50:43 +0000

Great article and right on. I am one of those LEO / MIL guys now doing EP (5 years). I had much to learn in EP but my prior background made it easy for me to adapt to and learn the principles of EP. Part of my LEO world included protecting Judges which was nothing more than EP as I look back. I look forward to formal EP training as it will complete the circle of my skill set — 1/3 LEO, 1/3 MIL, 1/3 EP — which should make me a well balanced operator. Mr. Shaw, you give me the motivation to improve myself in the EP world by making me realize my prior background isn’t enough. Thanks to you and all the other professionals in here.

By: Doc Rogers

Doc Rogers — Tue, 07 Dec 2010 16:11:00 +0000

Dear Eliljah:

Very solid points. We think along the same lines of LEO and MIL personnel; thinking their past training make them eligible for protective details without specific training in personal protection. Very professional article. Thank you.

By: Bill Clason

Bill Clason — Thu, 17 Jun 2010 13:50:48 +0000

Mr.Shaw: Ive been in Law Enforcement all my life, and I got to tell you, your so correct when you say training..training ..training!. In my Department Officers had to attend Training….what about the guy that whats to be a Bodyguard,EPO?

By: Doc Rogers

Doc Rogers — Sun, 23 May 2010 08:05:31 +0000

Eliljah,
Very solid advice on an important subjuct that is often misunderstood iun the BG industry.

By: Hucky

Hucky — Sat, 15 May 2010 16:51:30 +0000

Rob, to answer the first part of your question.I think old is a relative concept. Too old for what? It’s all about the individual and the condition he’s in. I’m 47 and fat, thanks to poor choices I like to blame on my environment. Am I too old for high-risk ops? – NO. Am I too fat? – HELL YES.

On the other hand, a good friend of mine, is older than dirt itself. I suspect he’s older than Methuselah. I know he’s older and meaner than Mr. T. This guy is near 65, skinny, fit, runs everyday and has more personal stamina than most 20 year old service men (Marines not included). Is he too old? – NO.

I don’t think a fit guy can be too old for executive protection work as long as all his body parts are working and he’s maintained the edge over the years. Me … well I better step away from the refrigerator really soon.

And for the second part of your question, research and preparation aimed at identifying potential threats and contingency plans supersedes the need for big bouncer like bodyguards. Executive protection professionals receive training in skills such as defensive driving, emergency medical response and physical fitness. They know how to prepare for important events ahead of time and counter threats. And they act and dress like their protection subjects.

So yes, there’s definitely a place for you in the field of executive protection.

Hucky

By: Bob Thompson

Bob Thompson — Sat, 15 May 2010 14:04:39 +0000

Elijah
Right on target once again and I concur with all my fellow protection agents out there.I worked 14 years with Donald Trump and the entire Trump family and interviewed many potential candidates for work.I heard it all.I had retired supervisors who couldn’t deal with taking orders from me just because I was a cop and not a supervisor.The other was guys who said they were with dignitary protection and all they did was sit in a squad car a block from the Waldorf stoping people from crossing the street while George Bush stayed at the hotel and they would say I have exec protec experience.

By: Rob Cowman

Rob Cowman — Sat, 15 May 2010 01:02:33 +0000

I can see why those high-speed ex-military types & know it all cops could miss out on the true virtues of what it takes to be a professional bodyguard. Additionally, the eye appeal of a 325 lb ex collegiate football player can be alluring.

Question: Is there a place for a 47 year old ex Recon Marine Officer with planning skills, training skills & a penchant to develop plans based on unique mission criteria? Or am I just old? Too small 210 lbs.?