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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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Executive Protection Articles

What Is A Piece Of Paper Worth?

Executive Protection Articles, Matthew Stiehm

By Matt Stiehm Ed.D

In life what is a piece of paper worth?  Well a piece of paper is worth as much as it can provide for you at any given time.  For example a small piece of green paper, with a dead president on it can buy or provide a lot of things.  However this is nominal compared to other pieces of paper.

Another example of a good piece of paper to have is the “right” certifications from the “right” training companies or programs.  These documents (pieces of paper) demonstrate a certain level of technical and professional competencies.  With the “right” piece of paper you can take your career to larger plateaus.

But what about a formal degree: whether the degree is a two year, four year, masters or doctorate degree.  What is the return on investment from getting these degrees and most importantly how they can help in your career?

•    Two year degree- This is a general degree which in most cases will provide you with some basic skills.  The skills generally deal with “readin, ritin and rithmetic”.  These skills will provide a solid foundation for going forward in higher education.  There is nothing wrong with ending at this level.  As professional experience is sometimes more important than what letter grade you got in math.

•    Four year degree- This degree will provide more liberal education, or technical education (depending on degree granting institution).  The liberal education will provide and hone your skills of writing, researching and understanding human behaviors.  If the degrees come from the technical side, you will able to better understand the nuts and bolts of the industry.

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Improving Your Bodyguard Business

Doc Rogers, Executive Protection Articles

By Doc Rogers

The first step to improving your bodyguard business starts with reviewing your goals. All successful businesspeople have goals in place and work hard in achieving the goals set each day. Start evaluating your bodyguard business today; what do you want your bodyguard business to look like in one year, five years or more down the road?

If you are an up and coming bodyguard your goal may be to lead at team of tier one bodyguard personnel on overseas assignments or if you are a seasoned professional you may want to start managing teams of tier one bodyguards around the world and function as a channel of communication between your clients and your detail leaders in the field. Consider the goals you want to accomplish and know what it will take to get there.

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Must Have Qualities for a Bodyguard

Doc Rogers, Executive Protection Articles

By Doc Rogers

The following are some strict and serious “must have qualities” for all bodyguards; failure to have these values may result in some serious difficulties.

Job knowledge – Being a master of the bodyguard basics is a must in carrying out your protective duties.  Having a simple but effective plan in place to meet every foreseeable emergency on bodyguard details is vital.  If you are the Detail Leader it is your responsibility to ensure that all bodyguards, security drivers and physical security personnel under your command are able to perform routine and emergency duties competently and efficiently.

Situational awareness – Always watching for signs of suspicious behavior; people that do not fit into the surroundings. No one behavior is proof that someone is planning to carry out an attack against your client, however keep alert for people who are nervously glancing at your client, displaying signs of mental distress, constantly watch facial expressions, body language and most importantly for signs that a person might be carrying a weapon. Keep 360-degree surveillance around your client.

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Be Thankful for the Hardships

Doc Rogers, Executive Protection Articles

By Doc Rogers

The year 2010 was a slow year for some sectors of the bodyguard industry. However, be thankful for any hardships you may have experienced. These types of circumstances mold you into well-accomplished bodyguard, one who is relentless, never gives up and becomes victorious.  Gain knowledge from life’s hard lesson and keep moving forward.

Last year made us all get out of our comfort zones, find new physical, emotional, and mental strength to work through some economic difficulties. The difference between an extraordinary bodyguard and ordinary one is that little “extra” we gained from experiencing hardships and not letting obstacles get us down; we focused on how to overcome them.

It’s now 2011 and you need to step-it-up even more for your career growth. Start challenging yourself to be more aware of bodyguard career opportunities, because they are out there.  Get rid of any negativity, its time to start fresh, learn from last years difficulties, overcome this year’s new challenge and advance forward.

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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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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.

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