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Bodyguard Careers is an informational site with the purpose of providing bodyguards with all the information and tools necessary to succeed in the executive protection industry.

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Staying Fight Focused – Enhancing your firearms training

Featured Articles, Mark Six James

By Mark “Six” James

Today, while at the range, I watched a young man in the lane next to me fire 7 shots in rapid succession at a target 8 yards away and missed with all 7 shots.  I asked him what were you focused on, he replied “I don’t know I was just shooting at the target.”  He was proof positive, “only hits count, you can’t miss fast enough to catch up!”

As firearms instructor, this is an all too familiar occurrence.  Many people go to the range and just fire, fire, fire with little to no focus on situational replication.  Ask yourself when you go to the range what are you practicing on?

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The Bodyguard’s Rules of Etiquette

Doc Rogers, Executive Protection Articles

By Doc Rogers

As bodyguards we attend ceremonies and social events this article provides basic guidance on protocol matters.  Bodyguards who know proper protocol can provide better protective coverage to their clients and feel more comfortable within the environment no matter the type of forum they are attending.

First rule of business, prior to the function during your advance phase you should make contact with the event’s protocol manger and inspect the venue. Ask the protocol manger any questions you are not sure of (attire, parking arrangements, formal seating plans, foreign dignitaries in attendance, other bodyguard personnel attending the function, etc.).

While bodyguarding your client at ceremonies and social events to be successful and blend into the surrounding you need a combination of set rules to include courtesy, rules of etiquette and common sense. Many high-level clients attend official luncheons or dinners, usually given in honor of a politician (senator, mayor, congressman, etc.).  Second rule of business make sure you bring you and your client’s official invitations, this is critical or you don’t get into the function. Normally your client should receive the invitations about three weeks prior to a gathering.

Third rule of business know what to wear. Most official invitations will include a written dress specification of either “informal” or “formal”. The definition of informal means casual dress; open collars and sport shirts for male bodyguards and casual dress, slacks, blouse or skirts for female bodyguards. The definition of formal attire for male bodyguards means black tie or tuxedo and female bodyguards usually should wear an evening or cocktail dress.

Upon entering the ceremony or social event you and your client will be given a name tag and a “YASA” (you are seated at) and will be seated at a table with pre-set place cards and a specific seats. Fourth rule of business sit in your designated seat. Another important rule; get acquainted with the table setting beforehand.

Your table may include the following silverware: a teaspoon, place knife, place fork, salad and dessert fork, a butter knife, a soup spoon, a cocktail or seafood fork, demitasse spoon, iced beverage spoon and steak knife (most bodyguards are only intimately familiar with the steak knife). There will also be serving dishes and various sized plates for different purposes.

If you don’t know which utensil or plate to use, carefully observe what the other guests doing. Fifth rule of business never start eating until each person at the table have been served and the hostess begins. While eating always use your best dining etiquette and do not:

•    Place your elbows on the table.
•    Squash or mix your food on the plate.
•    Soak your bread into gravy or sauces.
•    Place napkin on the table (place it on your chair).

During these ceremonies and social events alcohol (wine and champagne) is free flowing and there may be a number of toasts in honor of various dignitaries and special guests before, during and after the meal.  Bodyguards on duty never consume alcohol of course, while performing their official duties. If participating in toasts bodyguards should toast with wine and only touch the glass to their lips. However, generally it’s best not to get involved with toasting if possible.

Normally after the meal bodyguards quietly take a position on the sidelines within close proximity to the client’s table without drawing attention. By following these basic protocol guidelines you’ll make a good impression at ceremonies and social events while bodyguarding your client in a low-profile but first-rate manner. Keep safe and God speed.

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New and Improved Executive Protection Schools E-Book

Announcements, Bodyguard Training, Featured Articles

Over 20 of the Top Executive Protection Schools in the World

EP Schools e-book GraphicTo 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.

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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.

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Explain Leadership

Career Advice, Matthew Stiehm

By Matt Stiehm Ed.D

Introduction
Leadership is relatively easy term to define but hard skill to find.  Everyone makes claims that they are a good leader, an exceptional leader, however many fail to live up to the hype. A good leader does not need to wear their bravado on their sleeves, they walk the walk and talk the talk.

A good leader makes solid decisions, the right decisions, and those decisions might not seem right to you but they are right, a good leader must make the tough decisions.  Sometimes the leader makes unpopular decisions.

Leadership is defined as “a process by which a person influences others to accomplish an objective and directs the organization in way that makes it more cohesive” (www.nwlink.com).  But how does this affect you as an executive protection specialist?

Career
In your daily career as an executive protection specialist you have a variety of options to protect your client(s).  They trust your training and experience, and ultimately your leadership in finding solutions to any problems that they might encounter.

As your career goes on you might be assigned to lead a team or much larger group or protection specialists.  You are chosen for your ability to understand the job, protect the clients, and to get the other protection professionals to do what is right thing at the right time for the right reasons.

[Read more…] about Explain Leadership

The Poor Man’s Bodyguard

Doc Rogers, Featured Articles

By Doc Rogers

Since almost everyone’s budgets are strained and cutting back is now en vogue, I decided to write the “poor man’s bodyguard guide” for those wishing to get into the industry on a shoestring budget.

Everyone’s cautious about spending and with the economy being down; starting your bodyguard career in this type of environment will be difficult, but not impossible. As bodyguards we know that in tough finical times, people get desperate and the violent crime rate goes up worldwide (shootings, assaults, kidnappings, etc.) sad but true and good for business.

Entering the bodyguard trade doesn’t have to be expensive or tough. With some good basic bodyguard training, you can easily get around the common challenges within the industry. You will be able setup a bodyguard program calculated to decrease the risks against your client. The main goal after your bodyguard training should be building a client base to make a name for yourself and get a professional reputation in the industry.

While your basic bodyguard training should assist you in building notoriety and conveying a certain amount of expertise, as well as providing income from the industry in the long-run, there is a price. You need to scrutinize each bodyguard academy according to its costs in both time and money. Determine whether or not the bodyguard academy will be feasible in terms of time and money constraints for your given situation. Refer to Mr. Harlan “Hucky” Austin’s marvelous book Top Executive Protection Schools for a complete list of bodyguard academies.

[Read more…] about The Poor Man’s Bodyguard

Keeping Positive in the Executive Protection Industry

Doc Rogers, Executive Protection Articles

Two of the most important ingredients in your Executive Protection (EP) career (other than training) are mental preparation and attitude.  Be positive and sure of yourself, a positive mind will help you succeed in the EP industry.

This is why it is so important to reinforce positive, performance thinking during your Executive Protection career development.  Remain focused and positive; write a list of your EP goals in a journal everyday. This provides you with an overview of your goal structure.

We all slip up sometimes; break any bad habits you may have acquired and channel that energy into your EP goals; when you discipline yourself, you become in total control of your activities. Discipline combined with good habits gives you the groundwork for long term EP success. By linking discipline with your habits, you will have the components that very few people have in EP industry.

[Read more…] about Keeping Positive in the Executive Protection Industry

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