In this week’s installment of the two-minute video tip, host Harlan (Hucky) Austin along with special guest Elijah Shaw talk about choosing the right Executive Protection School.

Without a doubt, one of the best things you can do to increase your chances of obtaining work as an Executive Protection Specialist (Bodyguard) is to obtain top-notch training.

That being said, it is certainly meaningful when I see Executive Protection course work from a reputable school on an individual’s resume. By reputable, I mean a program that is run by individuals who themselves have stellar credentials and years of experience in the business.

By Damien Richey

What should an Executive Protection course contain? This is an interesting question. Executive protection is one of the only industries in which its practitioners claim responsibility for their client’s safety and wellbeing, yet there are virtually no requirements to enter the field and state regulations vary greatly.

Virginia seems to have the most professional standards while some states have none. California, with all of its billionaires, only requires practitioners to be breathing. If one can make it through the rigorous requirements of the eight-hour Guard Card course, which has nothing to do with protection, one is considered employable in the industry.

Executive protection courses vary in length from 1 day exposures taught by EPI and other schools, to several weeks at places like ESI. Having taught at one of the schools in Hucky’s “Top Executive Protection Schools” and worked as a protection professional, I cannot imagine what a one day seminar would contain that would qualify one for the job.

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Over 20 of the Top Executive Protection Schools in the World

To be successful in most fields you have to have some type of formalized or specialized education under your belt in order to teach you both the basic and advanced skills needed to succeed in a specific job. Whether that job is an auto mechanic, a draftsmen or accountant, those entering into the field of Executive Protection are also required to have some type of formal and advanced training.

Training is a component of Executive Protection that has changed significantly over the past 25 years. There was a time when any large, physically-fit man with an intimidating presence was employed as a Bodyguard—or as is politically correct in 2011—Executive Protection Specialist. This simply is no longer the case. Today, men and women both are working in the field, and training is considered key to succeeding in the field, and physical strength, endurance and agility are only part of the EPS equation.

In many cases you will have an extremely hard time finding employment, either with a team or as an individual without a formalized education. It is also important to remember that as an Executive Protection Specialist you have to continue on your path for excellence. Just because you graduated from the ABC school of Executive Protection does not mean that your education is complete. It is imperative for you to constantly continue to learn; the old saying “knowledge is power” is true. The more bodyguard training you have the better off you will be and the more successful you will have in the EP industry.

In the interest of providing our visitors with the best information available to succeed in this business, Bodyguard Careers has prepared the Top Executive Protection School list. Brief descriptions of each bodyguard schools are included. Please be sure to visit them to learn firsthand how they can be of help to you. I look forward to sharing in your success. I know you will find as I have, that you are on a career path that is both interesting and profitable.

Sincerely

Harlan (Hucky) Austin

What People are Saying about Top Executive Protection Schools

Hucky,

I just wanted to show my appreciation for your book. I was recently the victim of a well-known scam organization out there that is preying on individuals like myself. My only regret is, I wish I had your book 4 months ago.

Ted, OK

Hucky,

Your e-book has been extremely insightful and helpful. It’s nice to get the thoughts of a true professional, and not someone that is trying to get me to pay thousands of dollars to go to their school.

Pat, CA

Hucky,

I applaud you on putting together a list of legitimate executive protection schools, and making them available in your e-book. This e-book is a must read for anyone seeking acceptable executive protection schools.

Carl, GA

About the Author

Harlan “Hucky” Austin

President of Bodyguards Careers Harlan Austin has acquired over 25 years of field experience as an Executive Protection Specialist, seven years of which he served as Director of Security Services for Paisley Park Productions.

Foremost, in his duties at Paisley Park was assuring the safety and welfare of the musical artist Prince, as well as celebrities with whom Prince collaborated or associated with Lenny Kravitz, Madonna, Carmen Elektra, Sheena Easton, Patti LaBelle and Kim Basinger to name a few.

Over the years, Mr. Austin has served as a Executive Protection Specialist to clients attending high-profile events including the American Music Awards, the Grammy Awards, the Academy Awards, the NBA All-Star Weekend, and various film premieres.

Mr. Austin’s Security career has led to worldwide travels, including security details in Europe, Mexico, North and South America, Asia, Scandinavia, and the Caribbean.

Feedback from Executive Protection School Owners

Icon Services Corporation

“Here’s the thing I like about Harlan Austin, he understands the business. However, unlike so many from the “old school” he doesn’t horde information, instead he shares it. Let’s face it, our industry has a reputation for being pretty tight-lipped and while OPSEC (Operational Security) is a great practice, if we close too many doors, how do people just starting out ever get in? When Harlan told me about my inclusion in the previously edition of his “Top Executive Protection Schools”, based off of the uniqueness of our Celebrity & VIP Protection Course, I was delighted. Not only because I was in it, but rather because I encounter so many people who are attempting to do this work with little or no training, primarily because they don’t know where to go to get it. My recommendation to those interested in our industry–buy the book. The $19.95 invested here may save you thousands elsewhere.”

Elijah J. Shaw, CEO

Dignitary Protection Group LLC

With bodyguard schools popping up all over, prospective students are faced with the daunting task of sorting through all the clutter. Luckily they have a great source in Hucky Austin’s “Top Executive Protection Schools” eBook. His book clears away all that clutter and highlights the best of the best. If you’re in the market for executive protection training, reading this book should be one of your first steps.

Doug Runyon, Managing Partner

Panther Protection Services

As a firearms instructor for the Georgia Board of Private Detectives and Security Agencies and Chief Firearms Instructor for Panther Protection Services, I am constantly asked by my firearms students, what can I do to continue to enhance my skills to help prepare me to become an Executive Protection Specialist. My answer is never stop learning and continue to diversify your training to not only help you build your baseline skills, but also to help you keep your skills contemporary. I applaud Harlan “Hucky” Austin and the entire staff at www.bodyguardcareers.com for not only putting together a great resource eBook “Top Executive Protection Schools”, to help both aspiring and seasoned EP agents to not only build their skills but for establishing the premier online EP resource/website to assist agents in keep their skills contemporary!

Mark “Six” James, Executive Director

Money Back Guarantee

That’s how confident we are that this is a resource that will help you choose the right Executive Protection School.

Download Your Copy Today

Top Executive Protection Schools is ready for your download right now for just $19.95 USD – to secure your copy simply click the ‘download it now’ button below and you’ll be taken to a page where you can make your payment via PayPal or Credit card and get immediate access for download.

By Douglas Belton

Several years ago I was on a layover at Midway Airport when I noticed a professionally dressed woman looking in my direction wearing an expression that I quickly recognized as one of familiarity.  You know the look that someone gives you right before the index finger begins to wag and that age old line rolls off the tongue, “Hey, don’t I know you from someplace?”

The interesting thing was that she wasn’t so much looking at me as she was looking at my black portfolio with the bright red embossed emblem which read, “SPI” for, Southern Police Institute.  That black portfolio and the Kentucky Colonel plaque that hangs in my office are the membership cards that tie me into an elite group of law enforcement professionals with whom I share a common experience and a common set of credentials.

In law enforcement circles there are only a few command schools that really matter, The FBI Academy, Northwestern Command School, and the Southern Police Institute.  If you have attended one of those three schools you have met the first several key requirements for any command level police chief job you might be pursuing.

Much talk has been made of two essential ingredients for success in the professional world these days.  The two new buzz words are “Branding” and “Networking.”  If you want to get the job or the contract its all about your brand and your network, few other things matter as much.  As it is in the world of law enforcement, there are certain executive protection schools that will set you apart from the competition and effectively “Brand” you as a serious contender for desirable work and that will expand your “Network” so that you are not alone in marketing yourself.

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Legendary Tony Scotti will be teaching two executive protection seminars in the Boston Massachusetts area on October 22nd and the 23rd.Day one will be focused on Security Driving; day two will concentrate on the skills needed to succeed in  the executive protection industry. Space is limited – register now to avoid disappointment. Click on links below for additional information.

Security Driver Seminar
This one day classroom program, developed and instructed by Tony Scotti, based on his 38 years of experience conducting training programs and vehicle operations in all types of environments.
http://www.securitydriver.com/training/advanced_security_driver_seminar.html

A Seminar on the “Business of Protection”
The most common commodity in this country is unrealized potential – Calvin Coolidge
You can spend more time on training that increase’s your potential, or you could spend your time on training that releases your potential. Unless you can get your potential to the market place, all it is -is potential. http://www.securitydriver.com/training/business_of_protection_seminar.html

Download our Executive Protection Schools E-book