Going on your first overseas bodyguard assignment, everyone asks themselves “How well will I do?” The following will assist advance team and protective team members to gain an edge when going on a foreign assignment for the first time.
The serious bodyguard studies his or her area of operation (AO) like other people read fiction novels or Hollywood gossip magazines. Obviously, the internet is the most immediate method of finding out about your overseas bodyguard AO. Don’t take the easy road and read only the glossy travel sections, tourist news or politically sanitized data about the country.
Dig deeper to create a general profile of the country for yourself. Find out about the crime, the red-light districts, the slums, political and police corruption, the traffic death rates and specific natural disasters that may occur. This is your initial education about the area. It provides a warning, gives you the preliminary on the ground guidelines to follow and should be heeded.
Start studying the road maps from your entry airport to the client’s hotel before you leave, once in country purchase an up to date map, but for now study the one’s available to you. Look for details of safe havens (embassy, hospitals, police stations, nearby alternate hotels, etc.).
Get your passport and visa squared away as soon as possible as well as your hotel booking and secure transportation. Pack as light as possible you should take only the basic necessities, be ready to live a life out of a suitcase for weeks at a time.
Serious bodyguards on their first out of the country assignments need to achieve extreme levels of performance. If you are the advance man or woman arrive at your foreign destination in an early and orderly manner. Meet up with your security driver at the airport and establish your lodgment.
Your days should be well organized, advance work planned and objectives clearly set. You are building a track record for yourself and your track record is your testifying data of performance and will secure you more assignments in the future. So be well organized and hardworking.
While performing your normal bodyguard advance duties like you would conduct back home (analyzing routes, assessing venues, hotels, safe havens, medical facilities, airports, etc.), make sure you remain low key, and conduct your advance work under a cloak of anonymity. Drawing attention to yourself working while in a foreign locale is considered a serious violation and should be avoided in this line of work.
When out and about conducting your advance work get a solid feel and a better flavor of the city. Randomly run the routes and visit the venues at various times get a feel for the city, its layout, traffic patterns and its rhythm. Making sure you avoid all potential occupational hazards.
When actually performing your bodyguard duties, dress and act like a respectable businessman or businesswoman carry yourself as a professional. Be well disciplined and professional in every sense of the word. Real overseas bodyguard assignments bore no resemblance to what the Hollywood version looks like. Keep your profile as low as possible and maintain your vigilance in the event that something unexpected happens. 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. To learn how to make a full time living as a corporate bodyguard visit the websites below for more information.
http://www.trafford.com/Bookstore/BookDetail.aspx?Book=182707
http://www.amazon.com/Corporate-Executive-Protection-Inspiring-Bodyguards/dp/1425135927
Hello to everyone! I’m about to embark on my first overseas job (Honduras) and I was wondering if one of you had any advice for me.
Thanks and God speed!
Dear Professional Members: Great feedback and a highly learning experience for me and I’m sure of others as well. Keep the comments and suggestions coming. Keep safe and God seed, Doc
Good article. I have worked extensively throughout Europe and have used the below link for rout planning. Eastern and northern Europe was easier to drive around in, but when you get into Italy and Southern Europe the roads get dicey. I would also suggest getting an AAA International Driver’s License, if you absolutely have to drive; otherwise Rick’s suggestion is very wise. http://www.viamichelin.com
3 points:
1. Be familiar with host nation laws, as they may restrict how you employ protection techniques. Some nations have laws against civilians being in possession of any type of weapons, even knives and body armor. Some nations even restrict the use of security personal, that’s why I suggest you call yourself a Security Advisor to your protectee not a Bodyguard. During a mission in Asia about 15 years ago we were briefed by a senior person, if involved in a traffic accident, to run from the scene as the police would arrest us first and ask questions later. I have since learned how to better avoid running from the law, but the lesson is still with me. Be careful how you operate as any misinterpretation by the host nation of your activities could be seen as a threat.
2. Be aware of the items you leave behind in your hotel room, laptops, cell phones, or paperwork. Depending on whom your protectee is you could be an attractive target for a Foreign Intelligence Security Service (FISS). Practice appropriate operational security and take your computers or important papers with you so that they cannot be exploited by anyone.
3. Check the Overseas Security Advisory Council website from the U.S. Department of State, http://www.osac.gov/. The site has real good information on hotspots in and around your area of operation. If you register for an account (its free to anyone) you can also report security incidents and critical issues.
Again, great article and responses, I can’t emphasize enough to notify host nation law enforcement if possible when operating in a country which you do not hold a passport. We are visitors in their land and do not have the same rights or privileges. Last note and I will get off my soap box, but a few words to the Americans reading this: don’t wear all your 5.11 gear overseas. It makes you stand out and everyone knows who you are, especially if you have your American flag patches flying; unless operationally necessary leave it at home for range days.
Doc and Rick, very solid contributions. Reliable information is what makes prevention possible. It pays to work closely with fellow security professionals as well as executive assistants, hotel staff and event organizers. Ask them to help you assess risks at settings that are unfamiliar to you. And don’t hesitate to share info when they call you.
One of the best pieces of advice I ever received for both overseas and stateside assignments:
No matter where you go and what you do, always, always grab a business card. Sooner or later you WILL end up traveling back to the city/country and will need to use the hotel, restaurant, service again or you can call the one you used for a recommendation in another city. You will shine, believe me. It also helps in networking and business area knowledge.
I can’t second enough what Hucky has passed on: “It pays (in spades!) to work closely”…with the people who do the work as well as the ones who order it done.
With computer software/mapping programs (google earth)and a gps, map recons and advance work are made simpler but you must do the routes! Primary, alternate, tertiary and emergency and learn more as you go. if you have time, If you have time yourself lost and find your way back.
Good advice by Doc, Hucky and a Rick.
Good luck.
Doc and Rick, very solid contributions. Reliable information is what makes prevention possible. It pays to work closely with fellow security professionals as well as executive assistants, hotel staff and event organizers. Ask them to help you assess risks at settings that are unfamiliar to you. And don’t hesitate to share info when they call you.
Great advice! A couple of other things we’ve found helpful is to register with your embassy; that way, if something adverse happens they already have a starting-point to support your mission.
Another thing is, when budget permits, hire a local driver/interpreter from a reliable source. This will really speed things along if there are language or cultural barriers. If you are used to spending a day on advance for every day of the mission domestically, you may need twice that when working overseas.