Female Bodyguards
Harlan (Hucky) Austin
More and more, female bodyguards are being sought after by women celebrities. Because executive protection has been a male-dominated field, there is a lack of female bodyguards from which women celebrities have to choose.
I attribute this shortage to the on-going perception that “size matters.
The simple fact is that a successful bodyguard should never have to use violence or draw a weapon. The belief in “brawn over brains” is a misconception. With that in mind, there’s no reason to doubt a woman can successfully manage the job.
There is also a “boys club” attitude towards the field of Executive Protection, simply because the pools from which a female bodyguard is selected has traditionally been from a male-dominated workforce; law enforcement, military personnel, martial arts and the like.
Because women have now been more integrated into these traditionally male careers, they too, are candidates worthy of consideration for careers in executive protection.
Female bodyguards are as well trained in threat assessment, self-defense, weapons and tactics as their male counterparts. In addition, women have some highly prized skills that may be considered inherent in females–the ability to listen carefully, utilize intuitive skills and successfully manage conflict negotiations.
Women celebrities (Lindsay Lohan, Beyonce Knowles, and JK Rowling, to name a few) often gravitate toward female bodyguards.
The preference is to have a protector who is attentive, alert, quick on their feet, and won’t draw attention in public–the way a 6’5, 350-pound man would. For some celebrities, even the need to have a Bodyguard on hand can feel disruptive to living a “normal” life. A female celebrity accompanied by a woman protector is a more natural fit and less obtrusive.
There may be fewer opportunities for female bodyguards, but because they are rare, these positions can be quite lucrative.
If you are a woman interested in learning more about training programs or employment opportunities as an Executive Protection Specialist, contact Harlan Austin at hucky@bodyguardcareers.com for more information.
Information on my website (self-defense seminars)is only a small sampling of my background. The comment I hear often is, “They don’t see you coming!” As a Registered Nurse, CPR Instructor, Martial Artist, Security Officer, and more, I have a diverse range of innate and acquired abilities that can enhance the strength of a team.
Regards,
Mary
I have always been interested in this field. As stated above its a mans world in this field. However, I have done some work in this field. I’ve worked with up and coming artists. Its a field that I’m really tryn to persue as a career. I’m just looking for this one big break and I’m full speed ahead. I live in NYC. 5’9 230. dreads… Very much so capable of handling myself and my client(s). email-redloxbx@yahoo.com
thanks again. blessings.
Looking for advice from anyone who can help. My daughter has left university and is looking for employment. She was educated at private school and she is very confident, attractive and sociable. Her great love is Taekwondo and she is a double black belt (2nd Dan instructor level). Can anyone offer advice where she may be able to train to become a female bodyguard (personal assistant) and what career opportunities may be available, and sort of income she could reasonably earn if successful?
Could you also advise the likely costs of further training and what this will involve.
She lives in NW England. Thank you in anticipation.
Hi all,
just wanted to thank you for information, always nice to hear what your colleagues got to say. Im loving my job as a female bodyguard and wish all the best to all other female CPO’s out there. if anyone got any job offers or questions regarding female close protection please feel free to email me at jasiskiene@yahoo.com
God bless x x x
I recognize many women and men who have posted on this article and I have worked with some and respect many. I personally find this field rewarding and fulfilling and have guided many women towards it also. There are many aspects to the job and feel that women are a great addition into the protective field.
Everyone has opinions but the final decision lies with the client….
Best of luck ladies and gentlemen!!
Theres plenty of opportunity out there for all!
Contact me anytime for support or work:
Diana Myer Chery dianalchery@gmail.com
Hi,
I am a 28 yr. old female who has just started college for criminal justice and have just recently thought about being a bodyguard but not really sure what all I need to do to get into the field. I graduate from college in Nov. 2012 and would really like to start getting into the bodyguard career so if anybody has any helpful ideas it would be greatly appreciated you can email me at fireball08_82@hotmail.com
I just came across this posting again on the internet – apparently a lot of people still don’t realized that women do this type of work. A professional female agent can be a godsend with a female client, or as part of a team. Most of us blend in really well, and don’t raise any suspicions.
After I return from Africa in April, I will be looking for a new detail, so please contact me if you’re looking for an experienced female agent.
Thanks. Honor Boone – honork@verizon.net
“The preference is to have a protector who is attentive, alert, quick on their feet, and won’t draw attention in public–the way a 6’5, 350 pound man would” – If the woman is 6’3 and 300 pounds, she would also draw attention. And if the male bodyguard is 5’8 and 180 pounds, he would also not draw any attention. Why does a male bodyguard have to have the massive physique while the female bodyguard is of such an average build? Even the male bodyguards are not the average male, but are drawn from a pool of a small percentage who are naturally massive and have the physique of top athletes or wrestlers or bodybuilders. If that is an absolutely non negotiable criterion for a male bodyguard, should it not be non negotiable for the female bodyguard as well? Or is it just that female wrestlers and bodybuilders do not want the bodyguard profession because it pays very less compared to what the women can earn from the webcam/website business in which males unfortunately have no earnings?
Hi
I am a female bodyguard, looking for any CPO work> I have worked around the World Cup 2010 as a CPO. Also a Operations Co-ordinator.
I can be contacted on my email
Kind regards
Debra Smart
I am very interested in being bodyguard. i am now on my churches security team ( i know it sounds crazy) but people act a fool in church.
Athena Academy Female Bodyguard training in Atlanta, GA and Television Casting call
The Female Bodyguard/Close Protection Specialist training will be held July 24-August 1, 2010 in Atlanta, GA.This course will be unique in a couple of ways. First, this will be the first female-only close protection course in the world that is authorized by the Israeli Ministry of Defense. Instructors from Israel, Greece, and the United States will be conducting the training.
Second, this course will be filmed for a reality television show based on female bodyguards and Athena Worldwide. The production company producing the series is Endemol USA, who does Extreme Home Makeover, Deal or No Deal, Fear Factor, and Wipeout tv shows to name a few. This should be taken into consideration as you determine whether you want to attend the course. Should the “pilot” be picked up, there is a good chance this will be on a major television network. If being on national tv is something you do not want, then you should wait for the next training. At the end of this training, we will be selecting the best candidate for an assignment with a celebrity, which will also be filmed.
Those that are interested in this training, please respond via email and I will forward the course information, application and television release/waiver. Filming will begin prior to the start date of the training, so let me know if you would be available for “casting interviews”. In addition, those that are confirmed for the training may be contacted by one of the shows producers to do a phone interview prior to filming.
We can only accept 18 students in this course, so please let me know early if you are interested.
Do female bodyguards have to act and look like male bodyguards?
Breaking the myth of a female bodyguard acting like a man.
Lately, it has come to my attention, the fact that some clients looking to hire female bodyguards are asking how many black belts in martial arts the bodyguard has and how huge and threatening does she look? Is it enough to consider ones martial arts skills or size or gruff appearance?
Well, first of all, we have to clarify that a female bodyguard is not only trained in martial arts. In fact, it is far more important for females in executive protection to learn the business as a whole. This includes protective intelligence, advance operations and security contingencies. Some bodyguard training courses start their training from 3 days (we will discuss another time what you should look before booking yourself in a training course) and goes until 10 days and in some cases even longer. However, any course, no matter the length of training days is never enough to learn all the appropriate skills to becoming a bodyguard (female bodyguard), much less an accomplished martial arts practitioner. Both male and female close protection agents need to hone their hand-to-hand combat skills that are needed to fend of an attacker. Also, it is important that whether your looking to hire a female bodyguard or you are already a female close protection agent that you establish an annual training plan.
Female bodyguards are hired for reasons that suit the clients particular needs. A female bodyguard should be just as poised and polished as her male counterpart as she fills the same roll. However, female bodyguards sometimes are projected as a woman with tattoos, leather vests and short hair with spikes. This just is not the case. Female bodyguards should maintain the look that best suits their clients needs and above all – always looking professional and fit the environment and the event.
A bodyguard is much more than a huge person who can punch and throw a threat down. If the clients wants someone to hold the enemy down then he could hired a wrestler. The most important is not how to react during the attack but how to prevent the attack. How many martial arts or wrestlers can guaranty you that they will get out an attack without any injuries? In a bodyguard team what is well known as a react on an attack is parry the attack and helped the clients to escape into a secure zone. They don’t stay and continue the fight with the attacker. During my career I have worked with and train small sizes female bodyguards who had the same exact training and professional exposure as their male colleagues. They had enough training in how to prevent the attack and even how to react during one without losing their femininity. So if you are someone who needs to hire a female bodyguard we would recommend you to look first the training she has gone through, do they fit you and your personality and environment. Are they if they are certified and authorized. We would say ‘’the mind comes first and the size second’’.
Those that are wanting to be female bodyguards need to understand that you may be who you want to be. But, its important to know that the more you can remain versatile the more work you will obtain. Those wanting to hire a female bodyguard have choices. Don’t hire because you are looking for beauty, but hire based upon their ability to protect you and the more they assimilate into your environment the less you become a target.
I watched this broadcast and I was so excited. I was born and raised in an all american, patriotic family out in the country. As both my father and grandfather served in the US Army as rangers I too spent time in the army as a PsyOps specialist at Ft. Bragg. I have been considering resigning just to live the “military culture” but I have a daughter now and that would make resigning very tough. I am 25 years old and looking to start a new career. I feel like this career would allow me to have my cake and eat it too! It seems like this industry would satisfy the rush and challenge that I crave for myself and allow me to come home to my little girl at the end of the day.
I am good with a weapon (As I am sure you all are), very level headed, quick thinking, thick-skinned, confident, reliable and always looking for a challenge. While I have all the characteristics I seem to lack the training. Can someone please advise on where I can find the BEST training and knowledge of this industry.
Sarah,
If you send an e-mail to us at; training@sextonsecurity.com, I will put you in touch with a female E.P. agent who has been doing this for many years and has her own security agency. She is also one of our instructors. We recently had a training class that was made up of 50% females and it was great having her to be able to address any particular concerns that they might have had. On our last big detail I could have used 6 female E.P. agents 24 hours a day as we had three female Principals. Not having any females available, we had to use all men.
This was a great post to read, thanks for sharing this with me 🙂
Hi,
I’m nineteen and I’ve wanted to be a bodygaurd for years. Now seems like the time to do it. I don’t really know how to get the training I need. I’ve searched the internet for days and half of what I find sounds like a hoax. I would like to know of any letigimate, acredited school where I would get the training I need. If anyone has any ideas please contact me at
sara_@live.com
I am genuinely interested in meeting with any female bodyguards for a short documentary I am producing. My intention is to shed some light on a career path that is generally viewed as exclusive to a man’s world, and what individual concerns/passions/obstacles/successes various women bodyguards have faced over the years. Looking for a wide range of types, the greater the variety the better.
Please feel free to contact me at jackmprice@gmail.com if you are interested in discussing this opportunity further. I am a recent film school graduate who sincerely wishes to treat this subject with as much empathy and objectivity as possible.
Hello,
I’m 21 years old and have always had in interest in Law Enforcement, the military, and just recently Executive Protection. My boyfriends in the army, Infantry for 4 1/2 years now. We both are wanting to go into the EP business once he’s out. If anyone can help me by giving me any helpful information on what i can do to start or to learn more on EP that will help me in this career, much would be appreciated. please feel free to email me, i am very serious about this career and would like to hear from a FEMALE bodyguard on helpful tips and what its like and what i can do to start my career in this field of work. I believe women are far more stronger then men, the men just don’t know it yet 😉
Cheers,
Kindest Regards,
Sarah Brouqua
I beg to differ!
There are loads of Female Close Protection Officers out there. Started a group on Facebook called Female Security Operatives and got a great response from Female Bodyguards accross the globe!
I’m creating a film project and am looking for attractive female bodyguards at all levels of experience. we are based in los angeles.
if interested – please e-mail a resume / CV and photos of yourself to americanbachelor (at) gmail (dot) com
thank you.
Hi
I would like all Female Bodyguard Training Instructors to email me with regards to the Qualifications they have obtained and where. If any one would like to find out more on how to become a Bodyguard/Instructor they welcome to email me.
Kind Regards
frieda.strydom.07@gmail.com
Hi Adele
You wrote about on the webside in Octover 2008 the 9th that you have opened a company in South Affrica for female Bodyguards. I would like to have more information regarding this.
Thanks.
My email: frieda.strydom.07@gmail.com
Hi
Im a Bodyguard INSTRUCTOR for more then 8 years in SA and also a CPO, and I keep on reading that female Bodyguars is very rear, but you wil not believe me after I left the South African Air Force it took me 3 years to find another job and still today a havent recieved any responce on my CV.
I know Im one of the most Qualified female Bodyguard Instructors, if not the only,but still havent recieved any career oppertunity.
That is strange for me.
So were do think does the problem lies.
Hello. I am looking for female bodyguards based in Hong Kong, or who have links to the area.
It’s for a feature I’m writing for the South China Morning Post.
If you can help, please email me at nadine.bateman@scmp.com
Hi There, I am an Ex Recovery Agent of 14 years. I had to deal with alot of situations in my life for taking someone posessions, and think this would be a great challenge to my carrer. I am a 38 yr old female with alot to offer. I would need to be trained in this type of work but don’t know where to start. If intersted please drop me a line in my email. Thx
Hi,
I have been doing security for 16 years part- time. I heard that they are looking for female’s in the industry for bodyguards. I am ready to do this fulltime. I am located in Atlanta, GA and I am very professional.
Hi
I have just opened a company in South Africa which specialises only in Female Bodyguards.
We have no other company here that specialises in this. I, myself have trained and worked with plenty Bodyguards in South Africa. We also have a shortage of Female Bodyguards here, and im hoping that having this Company we can all work together in making people more aware that Female Bodyguards are as successful in their work as Male Bodyguards.
I AM 41 YRS OLD AN HAVE BEEN IN THE PHYCIATRIC NURSE BIZ 1OW I COULD MAKE IT 17 YRS AND HAVE TAKEN MEN 6/5 DOWN AND I WAS ALSO AN ABUSE VICTIM SO I HAVE NO FEAR OF ANYONE OR ANYTHING, MOST OF MY KNOWLEDGE IS WORK AND GROWING UP ON STREETS AND HAVING TO DEFEND MY OWN 2 BROTHERS FROM PUNKS, ID LUV TO HELP LINDSEY LOHAN OR BRITTANEY SPEARS OUT WITH ALL THEY GO THRU IT MAKES ME CRAZY WHAT THESES PHOTOGS DO TO THEM, ID LUV TO HELP THEM OUT.
HI
I HAVE BEEN IN SECURITY NEARLY 5 YEARS IN THE UK,CLOSE PROTECTION,DOOR SUPERVISOR,EVENT SECURITY,WOMEN HAVE THE CAPABILITYS TO DEAL WITH ALOT MORE IN THE PROFESSION THEN PEOPLE THINK,I HAVE A GREAT TEAM WHO WORK FOR ME, AND CONTACTS ALL OVER THE UK WHO CALL ME TO WORK WITH THEM,AND I AM THE ONLY FEMALE IN THE TEAMS,I HAVE PROTECTED VIP SPORT AND MEDIA CELEBRITIES IN VENUES AND ON LOCATIONS, SO YES WOMEN DO HAVE A PART IN THE BODYGUARD PROFESSION REGARDS SUE
females, are greatly valued.. they have a capability to reach places further than male clients. such as if a client whom is a female and needs to go on a bathroom run males ethically cannot join females in public restrooms hence why female bodyguards are great and metilistic in this profession
WOULD LIKE MORE INFO ON BECOMING A FEMALE BODYGUARD
I think that women would be great bodyguards. Can you imagine how “The Matrix” movies would be like if they had some “female” agents? That would be so kick ass!!!
Indy (Ian)
I am also a female bodyguard, with 4 yrs military police experience, currently looking for work, any takers, then contact me via email
Female Executive Protection Agents
http://www.epwomen.com/
Greetings,
I am a female body guard and what I tend to find is the EP companies want me, but the Client wants the 6′ tall male. I am trained by Uncle Sam, but what the client gets is an effect, well trained and combat proven PSD Agent! If EP firms are interested in my skills, please contact me at karolyn.smith@us.army.mil and I will be happy to send a CV. Regards
Karolyn
I definitely have this problem within my own organization. Of my staff of twenty and dwendling crews I only have three women and they are not on a stand bye calling list they need preparation of a detail and adequate time to make the call. I am searching the net and the ops for more qualified women who are interested in this position. Most are coming from our well trained killing machine uncle sam. Keep us posted on this adventure im sure their is more to come with this story….
That is interesting I never really thought of a woman being a bodyguard. Never crossed my mind.
Thanks 4 the know and read!!!
Anita aka Nitabnpg