By Doc Rogers
Professional bodyguards today should kick up their training a notch so they can continue to remain competitive and to represent excellent value for their money.
Yes, it takes money, to make money in the bodyguard business but the training you receive is your foundation. Look at the big picture, you should spend now and reap the benefits later. Think of your training as a continual process, set up a continuing bodyguard education program for yourself.
These days when money is tight and hard to get there are practical things you should do to ready yourself: studying professional websites, such as bodyguardcareers.com, books and manuals written by professionals in the industry and taking home study courses pertinent and particular to the bodyguard occupation.
Clients are now demanding certain bodyguard training standards are met prior to awarding contracts. Bodyguards are expected to adhere to high standards. Don’t be afraid to take courses or go to seminars on business ethics and best practices. Because of the distrust created in this industry by a few turncoat bodyguards without professional allegiances or training, prospective clients are looking at bodyguards with an eye of suspicion.
This means you now have to earn your clients trust through the training you received and from your past track record of refraining from disclosing any confidential information. Like trust, training isn’t something you come by overnight. Train, train, and then train some more. Document your training time (defensive shooting, trauma medical, close quarter battle training, etc.) and get it Notary Public Certified each month. As the old saying goes: “the more training and sweat, the less blood.”
In the midst of a poor economy you need to keep your training reality based that is free of excesses. Train as you work, this mean prioritize and focus. Practice and train in tactics, techniques, and procedures you use on the job, following tasks to standard. This type of continual bodyguard training will give you greater success and credibility in the industry for years to come. 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
Thank you all for your kind comments and support. It is a privilege to write articles for bodyguardcareers.com and be surrounded by such esteemed professionals!
Training is a continual never ending process. I routinely spend 5 to 12K a year just to maintain my skill sets, medical certs, tactical proficiency etc. Add to that the cost of clothing, kit, travel etc …
Despite the level of training I do, I understand that it’s never enough. and there’s more I should be doing. The biggest obstacle to training is time and scheduling.
Roller,
Most clients anticipate you will have a certain amount of TRAINING, so I would encourage anyone serious about this business, to get All the training you can.
Matt: Check out pfctraining.com they have a program through UNLV and since it is through the university the V.A. should pay for that
@Matt I believe ESI out of Rifle, Colorado does something with the V.A. as well as some other funding sources. They are definitely worth checking into
Has anyone utilized a grant program or scholarship to cover the tuition of a good school?
hope what u saying is true.
Good Advice.. It’s all about investment. If there is little invested there will be little return.. As they say in Vegas, Im all in!!