Goon-for-Hire or Professional Bodyguard By Doc Rogers
Goon-for-Hire (appearance) The tooth pick protruding from his mouth, the leather jacket and adidas tennis shoes, the sunglasses worn at night or the brash swagger shows he does not fit the clients’ environment. He has not mastered the art of BG camouflage and how to blend in. His appearance is degrading the protection he provides.
Professional-Bodyguard-for-Hire (appearance) Although even after years on the job he still feels uncomfortable wearing a suit and tie, nevertheless he wears it confidently and elegantly making sure he blends into the clients’ environment and does not outshine his client. He is practicing the art of BG camouflage at its best.
Goon-for-Hire (attitude) His attitude is that of a grimacing and intimidating individual. This type of attitude worked for him on the streets when working for lower level clients, however at this stage it’s a detriment. You can’t be unapproachable; you need fit in with the client group mentality, not only from career longevity prospective but from an intelligence prospective. If you appear unapproachable you’ll be out-of-the-loop.
Professional-Bodyguard-for-Hire (attitude) Even though he has an unusual air of self-assurance and a certain bearing he treats the job as a business. This means maintaining a professional businesslike attitude and is approachable by the client and the clients’ associates. He is kept in-the-loop on all relevant matters concerning his client and can provide better protection than the most sneering bodyguard.
Goon-for-Hire (operational tactics) He resorts to his old ways by relying on fear and intimidation as his main operational tactics for keeping the client safe. His bodyguard methods include manhandling non-threating individuals who appear in his path while working the client. Non-obtrusive blocks or pre-planned foots movements are not in his arsenal of procedures. Despite the fact the news media may mention his pushing and shoving strategies; “brawn” remains the preferred technique.
Professional-Bodyguard-for-Hire (operational tactics) Yes, there are times when he would love to shove a camera down a certain cameraman’s throat; instead he elects to utilize his hands and body in a non-threatening manner to guide the client smoothly past aggressive paparazzi’s and well-wishers to the waiting vehicle. He took the time to conduct his advance work and didn’t just wing-it. There was no manhandling in his operational tactics and therefore no negative press coverage.
Goon-for-Hire (non-operational hours) On his off duty hours he prefers to be a couch potato, working on his excess bulk by drinking beer and eating junk food. Exercise may involve a walk to the local neighborhood liquor store for cigarettes, beer and some frolic with the girlfriend.
Professional-Bodyguard-for-Hire (non-operational hours) Off duty he places a high priority on working on his endurance, strength and flexibility. This includes high intensity cardio workouts and strength training. He knows that the job entails the need for speed, muscle stamina, cardio-vascular fitness and strength. He maintains a good nutrition program and drinks beer in moderation.
Goon-for-Hire (wages) Because he portray himself as a thug who shows a certain lack of professional maturity the wages he earns are bottom of the barrel. He complicates potential wage advancement even more by not participating in professional bodyguard training courses so he could learn to revise his operational tactics.
Professional-Bodyguard-for-Hire (wages) His focus and efforts are in a positive direction, he exerts his utmost efforts on professionalism and career advancement. All his bodyguard tasks for the clients involve methodical planning and good operational techniques. Therefore his wages are at the top of the food chain. Being a professional deserves good pay.
If you or someone you know, knows a Goon-for-Hire give him these clear cut steps to take immediately, because his future as a bodyguard depends on it. Keep safe and God speed.
Doc Rogers is the author of Corporate Executive Protection – A Manual for Inspiring Corporate Bodyguards and president and CEO of International Corporate Executive Protection Ltd. Doc has earned a Ph.D. in Security Administration from Southwest University and he is SE Asia’s leading expert on executive protection and corporate security.
doc rogers
Hi Mel. Hope you are doing well. I had to laugh when you said “seeing what passes for bodyguard protection” isn’t that the truth (LOL). Thank you for supporting Bodyguard Careers. Keep safe out there, Doc
doc rogers
Hi Diana: Great comments and well said. Soon I will be doing an article about the Female EP agent, the more professional and deadlier of the species. Keep safe and keep commenting on Bodyguard Careers, we all learn from the remarks of the pro’s out there. Thank you. God Speed, Doc
mel cardonell
your article was on point. too often i find myself at a loss for words when seeing what passes for bodyguard protection. first i believe that this is the result of clients not understanding exactly what their needs are. i find it sad that potential clients repeatedly make bad choices,such as you described in your article1 muscle bound,lack of people skills and overly aggressive,etc.
finally it seems so obvious,but is so often overlooked. when going to your pre hire interview,dont just be interviewed, do some interviewing yourself. it is critical to see if you and client are compatible. if you fail to do this,you are setting yourself and client up for a rocky relationship at best and a dangerous enviroment at worst.
thank you
please continue to educate those who wish to enter this profession.
mel cardonell
great job
Diana Chery
What an enjoyable read… lol.
I have been in this industry for several years now I come across less goons and many more of the professional types, male and female. I support and recommend many women that I have worked with and come to know personally.
Lately I have seen many famous celebrities with a few goons and again they are who gets the most media attention… its not those pros who do this on a daily basis, low profile and safely with continued pride and quality work. I appreciate each of those who perform their jobs in such a manner and for the Goons… I appreciate the giggle I get out of watching them perform! (just cannot stand the negative connotation and jokes that comes with the goons who do such damage to the industry for the remainder of us)
Thank you again-
doc rogers
Hi Cedric: Glad you liked the article! All The Best,
Doc
Cedric
LOL … So real!
doc rogers
Hi Rasheik: Hope you are doing well. Excellent point; the principal can’t be in better shape then the EP agent (LOL). All the Best, Doc
Rasheik Simmons
Your right i see alot of guys oh and women in the field like this and if something goes down there out of breath and the principal could be the one dragging the EP to safety. You have to be in shape with a clear head at all times.
Doc Rogers
Hi Joe: Excellent points you’ve made, very well! All the Best, Doc
Joe Campbell
Is there a connection between this guy getting the work and the client trying to save money by going for the lowest bidder? We keep seeing examples of this guy getting the jobs more so on the celebrity side as opposed to the executive side.
Is there a dynamic where some clients wish to project this guy as a visual deterant while cutting costs because they (the client) are not really aware of what they are getting or not getting by hiring this guy? They get what they pay for, for sure. How do we as an industry explain to the new comer in the field who just completed an EP school who can’t find work while at the same time he sees this defensive tackle protecting “A” list celebrities by being selected from the buddy guard network?
The pro is never seen or heard about in the media but the new BG just getting into this type of work is only seeing the Goon for hire as the example. The Goon takes the easy road but gets the work. SMDH…..Just throwing it out there in a rhetorical form.