Bodyguard Careers is pleased to introduce Latonya D. Dupas. A relative newcomer to the business, Dupas is doing everything right to move forward in her pursuit of a long-term, successful Executive Protection career. Her determination and focus is inspiring and serves as a fine example of the kind of self-motivation required to succeed in what is a challenging field. She shares with us how her military and security background has served as a foundation for her career pursuit and what it is to be a female in a male-dominated profession.

BGC: How did you get your start in Executive Protection?

LDD: I have friends who work in security and they would ask me if I ever thought about being in corporate security. I think it was because my demeanor is very matter-of-fact, and straight-forward, and my skill set lends itself to Executive Protection.

My background is working with at-risk youth as both a counselor and an educator, which requires the ability to be an effective communicator; often negotiating or diffusing potentially violent situations. I also have a military background. I’ve always been a self-starter and law enforcement didn’t feel like the right fit. I started to do some research online and wrote letters to key people in the EP business.

BGC: What was the nature of that correspondence?

LDD: I sent emails making specific inquiries as to the opportunities for women in the field. I developed and maintained dialogues, which led to online mentoring. As a result, I developed associations with individuals who have been extremely supportive and informative.

BGC: Where did you get your training?

LDD: My prior military experience of 8 years gave me some creditability. That training allowed me to have some understanding on the importance of security maneuvers. In addition, I attended Elijah Shaw’s Celebrity Training Course, and the BTI (Bodyguard Training Institute) Executive Protection course. I plan to attend Tony Scotti’s defensive driving training course in December to enhance my training.
I’d encourage everyone to take training courses; it teaches you most importantly about whether or not this is a field you truly want to spend time and money getting into! You also have the opportunity to get a sense of what the competition in the field looks like. I was the only female in my classes. Classes only serve as guidelines to what the EP business is all about. Every situation is different.

BGC: What tips might you have for new people trying to break into
the EP business?

LDD: Mr. Austin and the information on the Bodyguard Careers website taught me “do your due diligence.” Basically, do your research, train, read and work. Take the smallest jobs, because they lead to more work. Develop your network. An important thing to understand is that you are always soliciting, always looking for the work opportunities.

In the beginning you shouldn’t turn down any work opportunity. Do a gut check, and make sure you do not compromise your integrity or freedom for the principal or company. Learn your craft and maintain your skills. Lastly, become well versed in the legalities of other states or countries; make yourself an asset to a company, not a liability.

Newcomers need to invest personal time by volunteering and invest money in the development of skills. Make small sacrifices for larger returns.

BGC: How has being a female in this line of work impacted your career?

LDD: It has been very interesting, because I believe I have a new band of brothers, who have embraced me. It is hard to work in any male dominated field. It is important I maintain my professionalism. Lastly, I set specific guidelines for myself, and follow them.

BGC: What do you mean by “guidelines”?

LDD: My guidelines are: maintaining my integrity, Be prepared.
Never assume anything and expect everything. “Do No Harm” in other words do not make a situation bad or worse. Lastly, I remember my responsibility is to myself and the principal. If I don’t take care of myself, I can’t take care of the principal.

BGC: I suppose being a female with a military background has served you?

LDD: Yes. Of course, there are far fewer women than men in the military. I learned how to listen and how to be flexible. I learned that I have a specific skill set that is going to be somewhat different from my male counterparts. I learned there is no arguing when there’s a job to be done; someone is in charge of each operation and that person is taking a huge responsibility and needs to be supported by what I do best.

BGC: So ego has to take a back seat?

LDD: Yes, there is no room for ego on details. My job is to do what I do best, and through the course of experience and time my talents and skills will be seen and hopefully utilized. You learn that you have to prove yourself and that means doing whatever is asked of you.

BGC: Without naming names, what has been your most challenging detail to date?

LDD: There is an expectation that celebrities can be narcissistic, but not the “working man.” That perception is mistaken–I worked a detail for a pharmaceutical company–the common businessman can be more difficult at times than a celebrity client.

BGC: Any on-the-job mistake or valuable lesson you’ve gained that our readers can learn from?

LDD: Never assume, be prepared, and expect the unexpected, always. I understand that being over zealous could potentially create problems. I had one job where I was assigned to work the door for a nightclub. My job was to check credentials and Identification. The club owner was concerned about unauthorized videotaping, photos or interviewing of the performers at the club. Well, as luck would have it, the owner of the club decided to drop by the night I was working. I had never been briefed on who he was, so when this man came to the door and I asked for Identification, he got a little upset at first and said “I’m the owner, isn’t that enough?”

I had spotted him when he first arrived outside the premises, and had made eye contact with him and maintained it, so I had a sense of who he was and the way he carried himself and conducted himself told me he belonged there. I decided to not get overly caught-up in seeking his credentials and stayed calm and professional. I explained that I was just doing what was asked of me and he was totally cool because I treated him with respect and looked and listened to him. He thanked me for being diligent in my job.

I think learning how to work a room or crowd is the most difficult task. You have to be both very aware and yet not over-zealous in your work.

BGC: What is your “dream job” in this field?

LDD: I would love to work for a client with young children. It would put my skills of interacting with kids to great use; and not a lot of men are interested in that kind of detail. I would love to find a position with longevity.

I also think it would be a great experience to work a concert tour for a major entertainer. It would be interesting to discover how the skill set changes, and to experience a different perspective.

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John Sexton has over 20 years of experience in law enforcement and security, both in the United States and abroad. He’s written numerous articles on security-related topics for international publications, and Sexton Executive Security provides services and training for government agencies and Fortune 500 companies. John recently traveled to China, the Middle East and India and he’s planning executive security training programs in Beijing, Shanghai, Saudi Arabia and the U.A.E.

BGC: How did you get started in the Executive Protection Field?

JS: Actually I can still vividly recall the first E.P. detail I ever worked. It was in the early 80′s in Ireland and I was assigned to protect a judge who was sitting on the bench trying a Terrorist (Offenses Against the State Act) case. At that time our terrorists thought nothing of assassinating a judge in order to have a case halted. It was their way of getting an adjournment.

I was a uniformed Police Officer and the job needed to be done by a plain clothes officer. That morning when I reported for duty, the Station House Sergeant told me to go home and change into “civvies” as I would be protecting the judge. I went down to the Judge’s home where we had a temporary trailer parked for the duration of the trial. The officer I was relieving handed me an old Webley revolver and a lozenge can which contained a handful of bullets.  Thankfully the terrorists didn’t show up during my shift as I am quite sure that my weapons (probably dating back 60 years to our civil war) wouldn’t have even slowed them down as they were typically equipped with Armalite Rifles and Semtex when they were activated for a mission.

BGC: Who are your typical clients? Celebrities, executives, political figures?

JS: We have celebrity, executive and political clients at times. The majority of the time though, our clients are executives.

BGC: What factors should new people who are interested in getting into this field consider?

JS: I believe that new people should first of all ask themselves why they want to enter the executive protection field.  If it is to “get rich quick,” then it is for the wrong reason.  Newcomers need to investigate what it will take for them to pursue their goal. They need to be prepared to make the sacrifices associated with this career; investing in the initial training and then continuous, on-going training; working long hours; missing out on holidays, family occasions, etc…

BGC: What is the biggest misconception about this industry?

JS: There are quite a few misconceptions, both on the part of clients, and also by those interested in getting into the industry. One of the misconceptions clients have is that they need to be protected by an off-duty Police Officer. I very rarely assign off-duty Police Officers — on the rare occasions that I do, they must be properly trained — either by the Secret Service or a reputable E.P. training school.

Another misconception held by people looking to get into this profession is that their initial training investment will never be recouped and they need to find a cheap course believing it will be comparable to that of a professional training school. The simple fact is “You get what you pay for.”Lastly, many still believe that this is a “men only” profession and nothing could be further from the truth. My plans for 2009 include recruiting women to get more involved in training – both as students and instructors.  My business trips to the Middle East during this past year have shown me first-hand how successful female agents are in their assignments working with Middle Eastern families.

BGC: How has Executive Protection evolved over the past 25 years?

JS: I would be inclined to say that it has benefited from more professional training. At the same time, certain segments do not seem to have changed or progressed that much at all. By this I mean the entertainment industry in particular. Those who still hire a protector based on size alone or the fact that they both are from the same city or neighborhood, does little to further our professional cause.

BGC: Can you share both your favorite and least favorite aspects of working in Executive Protection?

JS: My favorite aspect of this work is being able to see the comfort and peace of mind that our services can bring to a troubled client. We were called in to protect a television personality from a stalker in the recent past. When we first began working with this celebrity, it became obvious how much terror the stalker had caused. The client’s life had become intolerable. After a few weeks working with us, our client’s whole demeanor changed and life became enjoyable again.

My least favorite aspect of the business is the knowledge that there are individuals who are so ethically challenged that they have no business serving in this honorable profession.

BGC: What was the worst mistake you ever made on a security detail? (Please be honest, the new people learn so much from the errors of the seasoned pros!)

JS: I would have to say that it was related to the issue above, regarding ethics. I have hired (and worked) with people on details based solely on their association with a certain training school and blindly believed that they could be trusted and relied upon when the direct opposite was the case. After getting burned a couple of times, I learned that you need to hire slow and fire fast.

BGC: What has been the most dangerous or challenging situation you’ve handled while protecting a client?

JS: The absolute most dangerous would have been when I was overseas working in a war zone in the former Yugoslavia. A gunman attacked and killed one of our people when they were exiting our compound unaccompanied. He then back-tracked and returned to the murder scene. It was a “secondary attack aimed at the first responders” type of scenario. I was bending over the gunshot victim, checking for signs of life, and when I looked up I saw a man walking towards us with an AK47. Everything felt like it was moving in slow motion after that, but thankfully I was able to give warning, and the group managed to dive for cover. The killer was apprehended by the local militia a short while later.

BGC: What accomplishments or achievements are you most proud of?

JS: That is a difficult one to answer. If my book was already released and on the book shelves, I would say that was my proudest achievement.

BGC: Tell us a little about your book!

JS: It’s called “How to make a Killing as a Bodyguard.”It’s practical advice on everything related to becoming a successful Personal Protection Specialist – from the beginning stages and the importance of training through how to get your first detail, networking and increasing your personal, professional equity. It contains a lot of real stories – not war stories but stories that highlight the pitfalls that new people need to avoid and how hard work and determination pays off in the long run.

It will be available early 2009 at Barnes and Noble, Amazon, etc., and I will be selling it from my website also. It is the first in a series of books about operational security and the business of security.

Right now, I would have to say I am very proud of the team of instructors that I have brought together for our E.P and advanced firearm training courses and the program that we have constructed. I truly believe that we, the various instructors and operators in the industry, have the ability to raise the bar so that the general public can learn and appreciate the dedication and professionalism required when quality people commit to this profession.

Sexton Executive Security ( www.sextonsecurity.com ) still has some seats available in there PPS course to be held in sunny San Diego from 12/7 – 12/13/08. There course is certified by the Dept. of Criminal Justice Services and successful graduates will be able to apply to become registered as Personal Protection Specialists.

To request more information or a registration form, please e-mail; training@sextonsecurity.com

For more than twenty five years British born Jacquieline Davis survived as one of the top operators in a male dominated profession – the secretive, often dangerous world of covert operations. After leaving the police force she worked as a bodyguard, where her training – which included combat training – and a willingness to risk everything for “the client”, led her into increasingly dangerous operations, so much so that she became recognised as “The World’s Top Female Bodyguard”.

Her book, The Circuit is a fascinating account of one woman’s amazing experiences involving the dangerous job of rescuing children and adults around the world to the more glittering world of guarding well-known celebrities such as Diana Ross, Liza Minnelli and J.K. Rowling. Available from amazon.com or www. jacquiedavis.com

BGC: How did you get started in the Executive Protection Field?

JD: Back in the 1970′s, police pay was very poor and everybody moonlighted to earn more money. Working as a bodyguard  was one of those jobs we were asked to do. Our Pay as a bodyguard was £30 per day for 12 hours.  It was a fortune to us as police take home pay was about £120 per month ($240 dollars at today’s rate).  I was then asked by an agency if I would like to train as a Bodyguard, I said yes and the rest is history.

BGC: Who are your typical clients? Celebrities? Executives?

JD: Most of my clients are Executives, I shy away from the pop bands and singers, they have minders, not Bodyguards.

BGC: What is a “minder?”

JD: A minder is like a doorman–all brawn and no brains and no training.

BGC: Has the demand for female bodyguards/CPOs increased, or have women been able to break “the glass ceiling” and so are finding success in this type of work?

JD: The work has always been open to women but very few applied to do the job, I don’t think many women knew it existed.  It will always be a man’s world and I have no problem with that, men work just as well on teams for me as females.

BGC: What advice to you have for new people (particularly women) who are interested in getting into this field?

JD: Get a basic sense of discipline and fitness and be prepared to learn new skills that may seem alien to you at the moment. Do not expect to do a CP course (close protection) and them automatically get a job. You may have to send out lots of CV’s (resumes) before someone calls you. Leave your feminist views at home. Be as good as you can be but accept that women are a minority in this industry,

BGC: What do you think are some of the biggest misconceptions about the bodyguard/EPS field?

JD: People think we lead a glamorous life and although we do travel in private jets and stay in five star hotels–after 12 to 16 hours of thinking on your feet–believe me, it is not glamorous.

BGC: While protecting a client, what has been the most dangerous or challenging situation you’ve had to handle?

JD: I had a client whose family had been killed and a hit had been put out on him and his surviving 4-year-old daughter. I was brought in to guard them. The people after him were foreign government agents so we had to move around the world often staying in hotels or safe houses for a couple of nights before moving on, not easy when you have a four year old asking “why?” all the time.

BGC: Are there any interesting or unusual differences you’ve noticed between EP work in the United Kingdom and in the United States? Are the expectations different? Are there more opportunities for women in Europe?

JD: I have to say–having recently opened an office in Los Angeles–I am shocked by the lack of training American bodyguards have. In the UK to work as a  Bodyguard you have to complete a 150-hour course then take an exam and be licensed by a government department. I shall now be running CP/EP courses in the USA to bring any Americans that want to work for me up to European standards. They will then also be eligible to apply for a British SIA license and work in Europe.

There is a lack of female bodyguards in the USA and we are addressing this issue. I will be conducting a lecture tour of the West coast to talk to female groups about security work and how they can get into it.  I did this on the East coast a few years ago and I now have a few female Bodyguards in that area. For more information, visit www.greymans.com. I am the director of Protective

Services, which means I deal with the clients, put EP teams together and often act as Team Leader. I am also a qualified Instructor in Executive Protection and Surveillance.

BGC: Can you share both your favorite and least favorite aspects of working in Executive Protection (we really want to help new people to fully grasp what this work is about!)

JD: May favorite aspect is the travel and meeting people who are usually at the top of their field, and making friends for life. After all, your life depends on your team mates’ actions. My least favorite aspect is the long hours. Working with an ungrateful or non-cooperative client, or a client who has employed you as an expert but then proceeds to tell you how to do your job, disregards your advice and then gets into either an accident or worse…just look at what happened to Princess Diana and Dodi Fayed, when Fayed senior ignored the advice of the bodyguards. Also, working within the constraints of a tight budget that stretches the team thin.

Prof. Leonard C. Holifield, CPS, is President and CEO of the International Academy of Executive Protection Agents, LLC. Known as the Harvard of Bodyguard Schools, he is an honor graduate of ESI – Executive Security International and former chief security officer and personal bodyguard to the former Chief Justice of the Alabama Supreme Court, Chief Justice Roy S. Moore, aka the Ten Commandments Judge. With over 20 years in the security business, Prof. Holifield is one of the most sought after instructors in the United States.

He is the author of SOLO - Security Operations for the Lone Officer (Outskirts Press) and Close Quarter Combat “A Soldiers Guide to Hand-to-Hand Combat” (Paladin Press). He is a frequent lecturer on executive protection, national hate groups and gangs, unarmed self defense and one-man solo security operations. He has been recognized by several national and international organizations; to include Marquis Who’s Who in America, Who’s Who in the World, Who’s Who Among Executives and Professionals, WOMA’s Who’s Who in the Martial Arts and Combative Masters of the 20^th Century (Lulu Press). As former Chief Combatives Instructor to the United States Army his work in the field of hand-to-hand combat has been featured in major military publications to include Army Trainer, Soldiers, KORUS and Military Police magazines. A former military police officer and highly decorated veteran of the Gulf War, he was credited with capturing the first Iraqi POW during Operation Desert Storm. He is the president and founder of the International Sikaron Karate Federation and holds 3^rd, 6^th, and 10^th degree black belts in Judo, Hapkido and Sikaron Karate respectively.

BGC: How did you get started in the Executive Protection Field?  What  was your very first assignment?

LH:In a nutshell, before I got into executive protection, I was a full time martial arts instructor with over 35 years in the martial arts. I met then, Judge Roy Moore who was interested in karate classes for his three sons, whom I trained for several years. Later Judge Moore ran for Chief Justice of the Alabama Supreme Court, he won, offered me the job to be his Chief Security Officer and the rest is history.

BGC: Who are your typical clients? Celebrities, executives, political figures?

LH: Executives and political figures.

BGC: What do you think are some of the biggest misconceptions about the bodyguard/EPS field?

LH: The biggest misconception is that people will often mistake the “average” bodyguard with the executive protection agent or certified protection specialist. There’s a fine line here, because the terms Bodyguard and Executive Protection Agent are often used in the same sentence. Don’t misunderstand me; we are all in the same protection business. However, there are vast differences between the two.

For example, in the world of Hip Hop you will often see an entourage accompanying the artist, some of these individuals are acting as bodyguards for that person. In reality they are close friends of the artist, maybe grew up in the same neighborhood, and have great street fighting skills but no formal EP training.

They are not to be confused with a trained executive protection agent, who is trained specifically to protect an individual from harm, often without resorting to physical violence at all.

BGC: What has been the most dangerous or challenging situation you’ve handled while protecting a client?

LH: The most dangerous and challenging situations I’ve had to deal with are protecting my client in crowds. Especially large outdoor crowds. The problem in that situation is the lack of access control points, metal detection and the wide open area that can place me and my client in a vulnerable situation.

BGC: You have an extensive martial arts background, as well as a military background. We have been getting a good number of resumes from soldiers returning from the Middle East and I would like for them to hear from you what they can do to increase their odds of working as an Executive Protection Specialist in the private sector.

LH: Actually, the odds are increased for individuals who want to get into executive protection because of their military training. Those with a military background regardless of his/her MOS (military occupational specialty) are viewed favorably by employers because of the leadership, discipline, attention to detail and the ability to take as well as give orders to get the job done.

A military career is highly respected and welcomed in executive protection. I was in active service in the United States Army from 1987 to 1997 and it has served me well in all of my endeavors. It is important to note that some jobs in the military such as military police, CID (Criminal Investigation Division), MI (Military Intelligence) and special forces may be more attractive to some employers.

No matter what you did in the military or what job you held, once a civilian, it is imperative to get specialized training in executive protection. After you graduate from EP school, update your resume and network, network, network. Networking is the key to working in this business. Don’t sit around waiting for your “Detail Ship” to come in–you will probably be waiting for a long time. You’ve got to put in the work and market what you have to offer to the to the public.

BGC: Can you share both your favorite and least favorite aspects of working in Executive Protection? (We really want to help new people to fully grasp just what this career is about!)

LH: My favorite thing about working in executive protection is the satisfaction I get from doing my job and doing it well. Having protected the former Chief Justice of the Alabama Supreme Court for over 7 years, as well as other high profile executives–without incident–there’s no better reward than that.

My least favorite thing about working EP are clients that are not willing to pay me or any EP agent what he/she is truly worth. This is a reality of the business. I think I speak for many agents when I tell you that there are those who value personal protection and are willing to pay for it, and those who expect full protection service but are not willing to pay what you are worth.

BGC: Your web site is really impressive. How much of an impact has using a web site as a marketing tool had on your  professional career?

My web site has been a great marketing tool primarily because of the millions of people out there using the Internet. I have a constant flow of traffic to my site on a daily basis. Other people link my web site to theirs, which increases exposure and drives more traffic to my web site. This has had a great impact on my professional career. Thousands of individuals visit my web site and learn that I’m an executive protection agent and international instructor. This exposure means more people know about my business (International Academy of Executive Protection Agents, LLC), which means more protection assignments and building an EP network of agents for future assignments.

BGC: What advice do you have for new people who are interested in getting into this field?

LH: There are several things you should do to prepare. First, research the various schools and training academies with executive protection courses. You want to make sure that you’re getting the best training possible for your money.  After all, it’s your life that will be on the line as well as the person you protect, so proper training is essential.

Secondly, you must be ready to sacrifice, dedicate and commit yourself to this profession. Executive protection is not for everyone. The upside is the lavish lifestyle side of the business: five star hotels, private jets, formal dinners, VIP treatment, etc, but along with that come the long hours of standing, sleep deprivation and being on call 24/7 in most cases.

Lastly, and most importantly, you must be ready to die for the person you will protect, because in this business you are as much of a target as your client. If you have doubts about your commitment to this field, then executive protection may not be the field for you.

BA: My background is in the military. I was stationed in Germany. There was a lot of terrorist activity being carried out by the Red Army Faction against U.S. military and executives overseas. I was selected to begin specialized training to protect these high-risk individuals, and worked my way up to Protective Security Detail Leader. I was the supervising Close Protection for two General officers at both their residences and offices at military Head Quarters.

BGC: How has Executive Protection evolved over the past 25 years?

BA: In my opinion, the biggest changes are due to two specific events:

The 9-11 attacks and the entry of the U.S. into the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan. Let me explain. Before 9/11, there was always an understanding that top U.S. executives in the private sector and government officials were at some risk. Kidnapping was the primary threat, and it was most risky for these individuals outside of the U.S. – particularly in Latin American countries. After 9/11, with the attacks on U.S. soil, we all realized, tragically, that Americans are vulnerable at home as well as outside the country’s borders. The need for protection against terrorists educated the general public as to the notion of executive protection.

The conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan created a transition from more “traditional” executive protection, to more “tactical” executive protection. So in the past 8 years or so, there has been an expectation that an EPS will have a strong military background and experience with weapons. However, that is changing. Blackwater, the largest provider of personal security details to U.S. diplomats in the Middle-East and high-conflict areas, is transitioning out of that business, as the need seems to have diminished significantly.

While tactical skills are important, the trend is now swinging back, and more traditional skills are needed-particularly to meet the needs of corporate executives, celebrities and professional athletes. By the way, I’d really like to give kudos to Harlan and Bodyguard Careers for educating the general public, and bringing attention to the subject of the dire need to protect these pro athletes, who I think have always been extremely vulnerable.

Once the U.S. pulls out of Iraq the “tactical” EP opportunities will be diminished and I think we can expect a proliferation of individuals trying to transition into more of the mainstream protective services. The pool of talent will be much larger, and I think there will be a greater acceptance and understanding of those “tactically-skilled” EPS. That being said, it is really important for those with military training and experience to understand that OTHER skills that are needed to land the contracts should not be overlooked. Clients and employers are going to be able to be extremely selective, and will be looking for the top resumes. I think we’re going to see a drop in earnings, too. It won’t be like it was in the period after 9/11 when the pay was incredibly high for this type of work.

BGC: What was the worst mistake you’ve ever made on a security detail? (Be honest, our readers learn a lot from the missteps of the professionals!)

BA: (Laughing) I know this will sound ridiculous-but it’s SO basic and so important, I want to share it. I’ll just come out and say it: One time I lost sight of my protectee. (Big sigh) I know, it sounds awful, but it was the single most important lesson I ever learned and I never forgot it.

My protectee was at a private event, it wasn’t an official event, so only a few people were working the detail. There was one other special agent on hand. Well, I was distracted for what I think was a few seconds, and when I looked over, my protectee was nowhere in sight. I can tell you that my heart was in my throat and my stomach dropped. This was a public space without the usual “bells and whistles” in terms of his protection. I was absolutely beside myself….it felt like an eternity before I saw him, but in fact, it was only maybe 30 seconds…the longest 30 seconds of my life!!

The protectee never knew, but the special agent did. He reminded me of the Cardinal Rule in this business: “Always know the whereabouts of the protectee.” That incident pointed up the seriousness of what we do, and reminded me to never take my eye off the ball, no matter what other distractions are taking place. (Laughs) I know, it seems so obvious, and I’m sharing this because it can be so easy to make that mistake!

BGC: What advice do you have for the new people who are trying to get into this business?

BA: Market yourself – it is as important, if not more so, than the skills you possess. Skills are ongoing, you should always be working on developing them. No matter how qualified you may be, without knowing how to package yourself, you’re not going to get anywhere. By “marketing” and “packaging” I mean you need a resume that is well put together, professional and that will capture someone’s attention. You need a great cover letter. You need to figure out ways to be seen, to get exposure. Your materials are the first impression you make. I have seen so many resumes, and they’re not at all good. I think ours is not the kind of field where (as opposed to say, sales or advertising) where candidates inherently understand or recognize the need to properly package themselves. They’ll tell you they can drive, shoot, and bench press X amount of pounds, but they don’t know how to present a complete professional package.

BGC: What are the biggest misconceptions about the industry?

BA: I think a lot of people are attracted to what they think is the “glamour” of this field. They have the idea that they’re going to be in a high-profile job, hanging with some rap-singer’s posse, and that all they have to be is BIG. The True pros approach this business with some degree of seriousness. They bother to invest money in those things they can, to be more marketable. The media and movies have added to the misconceptions. Here’s a story for you. I had posted a job alert for a contracted job. I received an email from a candidate who wrote “I’m interested in the position, but I’m too busy to send my resume. Here’s my telephone number. Call me.”

BGC: You’ve got to be kidding.

BA: (Laughing) I’m not…The thing is, there doesn’t seem to be information or conversations about how to get the work; the appropriate ways to land an interview.

BGC: That’s why we started Bodyguard Careers! So tell us about the WORST detail you’ve ever worked.

BA: (Long pause) Hmmm, honestly, I’ve never had a really bad detail. Now, there are some aspects of this career that are better than others…

BGC: Okay, what is the Best aspect of Executive Protection work?

BA: The sense that what you’re doing is necessary, important. It’s not about the profile, the attention or the money you derive. A lot of people can’t distinguish between themselves and their protectee…somehow by association they feel good. It’s never been about that for me. I think this is vitally important work-the threat is out there, whether it’s an athlete, government official, or corporate executive. I like the strong sense of purpose in this work.

BGC: And the Worst aspect?

BA: I never realized how physically demanding it can be. It is very hard work. It’s a serious business. It’s exhausting also because it is mentally demanding. You have to be “on game” ALL the time. Both your mind and body have to be ready to be put to use at the maximum potential. It’s like you have to be two steps ahead mentally, and one step ahead with your body! There is scant room for error.

BGC: Isn’t there’s a “third” level to this, besides the physical and the mental-aren’t your intuitive skills on constant alert also?

BA: Yes. You’re always dealing with the periphery, and anticipating. You are constantly assessing for potential threat. It’s “my eyes are seeing X, but what’s REALLY going on?”

BGC: I’m going to play a Word-Association game with you. Tell me the first thing that comes to your mind:

Advance Work?

Key to a successful EPS detail. The success of the advance is directly proportional to how well the mission will go.

Networking?

Really important. It is an ongoing effort, and most people don’t know how to do it. They’ll go to an event and be thinking the entire time, “what’s in it for me?” Well, I want to suggest that you go and change your attitude to “what can I contribute to this group?” Networking means you must GIVE as much as you TAKE. This means offering to volunteer for something, imparting knowledge, sharing a job lead, it really has to be a 2-way street to be effective. Sending a resume is a formal way of letting someone get to know you. Networking can be both formal and informal, and it is a great way to forge friendships. I can tell you that one of my most lucrative contracts was due to networking. I met a man at a networking function, we really hit it off and had a great conversation. He didn’t have anything to offer me in the way of work, but we became good friends. Later, down the road, he was in a position to make referrals for my services.

Dubai?

While professional opportunities do exist, it’s not the road paved to gold people may think it is. Dubai is much more stable than the rest of the Middle East. there is a high concentration of wealth which may lead to opportunities. I spent 3 years in the Middle East. Dubai is far more liberal, a very modern city, more so in some ways than the U.S. There is executive protection work because it is so progressive and wealthy, but it is still a volatile part of the world and I think down the road it may become more unstable. I would advise anyone who’s interested to work overseas, but for a limited amount of time. It could be a good experience. BUT, be sure that you really understand your employment package, as the terms are very different as regards labor/contract/business laws. For example, where does your check get deposited? Will taxes be paid by you, or your employer? Who exactly is hiring you-is it a U.S. or Dubai contract? What about Health insurance? When I worked a contract in Guatemala, I was paying taxes on it to the U.S. Well, the contractor wanted to take local Guatemalan labor taxes immediately out of my paychecks. I had to do some serious negotiating, because the rate I’d quoted him did not account for these taxes he intended to collect.

BGC: What accomplishments or achievements are you mot proud of?

BA: Being a dad! I’m blessed to have found a profession I’m passionate about–I get to work at something I love to do-but none of it compares to how I feel about my kids.

Elijah has received advanced bodyguard and executive protection training from prestigious associations such as Trojan Securities International (TSI), R.L Oatman and Associates (w/ASIS), and Elite Protective Services and currently acts as an guest instructor with TSI teaching a course on Celebrity Protection. 

BGC: It is interesting to note that you don’t have a military or law enforcement background. What drew you to the Executive Protection industry?

ES: I “stumbled” into this work. It was something I was doing to pay for college. I took a job working as a nightclub security guard (bouncer) to pay for college. I wasn’t the biggest guy in the group, but I had an innate ability to talk to people and manage situations. Because the owner liked me and I had the right attitude I worked my way up from the back door guy to the Head of Security.

BGC: What was the very first “celebrity” detail you worked?

ES: It just so happened that a celebrated sports figure owned the club, Well, after working my way up through the club, the owner would put me on personal details. He had alot of interaction with the public, so he didn’t want that “tough-guy security” approach. He needed someone to finesse sticky situations and I had good problem-solving skills. Once that assignment came to an end I was basically back at square one. I knew it was important to be well-rounded, so I worked every aspect of protection you can think of; uniformed security guard to undercover department store theft prevention – Anything to gain further training and experience in the security industry. 

BGC: What was the worst mistake you ever made on a security detail? (Behonest! Our readers learn from the missteps of the seasoned pros!)

ES: I remember working with this guy who I thought was really nice and had great credentials. His background was in law enforcement, and he was very personable. I had a celebrity detail come up that I couldn’t work, so I thought I’d give this guy the opportunity. When I called the client the next day to see how it was working out, she said that he was nice, but at the star-studded event they attended, he would make the client stop so he could have his picture taken with celebrities!! He was completely star-struck. I was on the plane that night to replace him. The thing that’s important to remember with these celebrity clients is that they don’t want to “notice” their bodyguards. They just want to go to an event and enjoy themselves and should almost forget you are there. There are a lot of guys out there who have an impressive resume, but their personality needs to fit with the client–and you have to earn their trust. I learned that the right person for a celebrity detail can’t be found just by looking at an impressive resume -They have to have the proper mindset to work with a figure in the public eye.

BGC: How has Bodyguard/Executive Protection work changed from “back in the day” when you first started?

ES: The industry has become far more professional, with a great deal of emphasis on training. It used to be rather “loose” in the way an employer would hire a bodyguard. There was a time when the only qualification for a bodyguard was being either a big bouncer from the club, off-duty cop or retired Navy SEAL. It is more “formal” now–including the terms. Executive Protection Specialists is slowly replacing the term “Bodyguard”. But the majority of the public still uses and knows the term “bodyguard” so it’s important for us to make sure we continue to disprove the misconceptions. Quality training is preparing people in an entirely different way, which I think it’s great for the newcomer. One important thing to remember is that a lot of times guys think previous military skills or law enforcement skills are ALL that’s needed to make it working with the private sector. Many times the great skills just don’t fully translate to actually working with executives or celebrities hence the need for specialized training.

BGC: Have you personally worked with or seen many women in the field?

ES: Unfortunately, no! I strongly urge women to get into this field. Executive Protection is something of a niche market-the majority of the industry is made up of white males; however clients come in both genders and are as diverse as the colors of the rainbow. A lot of clients want their bodyguards to “blend in” and that means there is a need for different types of bodyguards…a woman in this line of work is unexpected, so the ability to “blend in” is very high–and being female makes you unique in this business, so business savvy, well trained women could conceivably charge higher wages. Also, for certain types of details, especially those involving kids, women are often just a better “fit” than some big burly guy! I remember one time, I was working for a female celebrity client, who had a verifiable security concern but loved to shop, and one of her favorite stores was “Victoria’s Secret.” When she was in the dressing rooms, women would approach me and ask for my opinion on their lingerie choices! The sales staff would often think I was her spouse and ask if a particular item was of interest to both of us. *embarrassed.* That is an instance where it would have been better for her to have a female bodyguard. It probably would have drawn less attention.

BGC: What advice do you have for new people who are trying to break into the industry?

ES: First, focus on getting good training. This is a good time to be in this business, the public is aware and in-tune with what we do and the importance of protection. Research and receive training from a recognized school and hit the pavement hard looking for work. And most importantly, network, network, network. Once the overseas security contractors return–they’ll be throwing their resumes in the ring, too. Secondly, be willing to start at the bottom. I cannot tell you how many guys think they’re going to be landing the top client gigs and earning the top dollar right from the start. It doesn’t work that way. Be patient. Be well-rounded in your skill set.

BGC: What is a typical day like for you when you’re working a celebrity detail?

ES: Every day is different. I can say that you are up before the client, and asleep after the client every single day. For example, if the artist has a 6:00 a.m. radio interview, then I am up a few hours before getting myself ready, doing advance work, planning the logistics for the day’s schedule, organizing the rest of the security staff, getting the cars prepped, making sure the household staff has the artist awake and ready to go …and this is all BEFORE I’m even interacting directly with the client! Lunch is always when you can fit it in…as is getting to the restroom. There is always a “hurry up and wait’ aspect to what we do. We have to be on duty sometimes on very little sleep, or when not feeling well. We stand outside of a lot of doors when there’s nothing going on. There is a lot of “down” time, but we have to always be at the ready–we have to be on our A-Game if something happens that we need to handle.

BGC: What is the biggest misconception about this industry?

ES: The young people, the “MTV Generation,” expect to start at the top working with celebrity clients. I’ve also found that a lot of people get into this for the wrong reason, thinking it is a “stepping stone” for their personal career aspirations (musicians, actors, writers). A bodyguard’s agenda MUST be about protecting the client–any other agenda always shows–they can’t hide it…and so they either never get the job, or lose the job.

BGC: What was the worst detail you ever had to work?

ES: Truthfully, I’ve come to realize that every detail is a learning experience. I WANT people to experience lousy details so they will really appreciate the good ones! I do recall at one point I was working for a big celebrity. It had been a very hectic day, a 20-hour day. The client had been partying for the last 4 hours of it, and of course, fell into bed at the hotel we where we were staying. Well, I was exhausted beyond belief and so relieved the day was over…I figured I’d finally catch a few hours of sleep. Well, since I was the low-man on the detail (the newest, least experienced) I was assigned the first watch outside the celebrity’s hotel door. Mind you, it was early, early in the morning. The hotel was completely quiet, and I had to stand outside this door (no chair). But here’s the thing–I didn’t complain. I didn’t gripe. I didn’t fall asleep on my feet. When they came to replace me, I was where I should be, on my feet and awake. Exhausted–but awake. That’s called “paying dues.” And here’s the thing, that was my first time on that detail–but it was by no means my last. Because of my attitude and willingness to carry out the low-man duties, I got to work again–and next time, someone else was the low-man!

BGC: Why are bodyguards always portrayed wearing sunglasses?

ES: (Laughing) I always wear my sunglasses. For me it is a “branding” thing, especially when travelling with an entourage. It plays into the public’s perception of what a bodyguard is. Put me next to 5 other people and you know who the security is. It also means that service people will know who to speak with and won’t bother the celebrity or his/her friends. They know to talk to me about making arrangements to get the group around safely and who is wrangling the vehicles. Plus if you are a troublemaker, you might think twice and go to a “softer target”–The one without the guy in sunglasses nearby.