Laws of the Bodyguard Jungle

By Doc Rogers

Navigating through the bodyguard (BG) jungle can be difficult for those not familiar with it. This article explains the Laws of the BG Jungle and outlines procedures which have been used successfully for BG jungle navigation. With some training and practice, you should be able to use these techniques to move around successfully even in the thickest BG jungles.

LAW 1: Your Body is Your Business Understanding that you are the business; take control of who you are and protect “you the brand.” This includes taking care of your mental and physical health.  As BGs we tend to have very short peak earning periods. We must beat the odds for career longevity by taking care of “business.”  Think long term and keep healthy; it’s the survival of the fittest in the jungle.

LAW 2: You are the Target Be wary of the rip-off artists, hustlers and fake friends that hide in the shadows of the BG industry jungle growth, who are ready to take clients and assignments away from you. These types are greedy, show no remorse and should be avoided like the plague.

LAW 3: Invest in Your Team Your BG team can make or break you in the industry.  Hire BGs wiser and more experience than yourself.  Surround yourself with professionals, not amateurs or losers.  Amateurs and losers will pull you into the hidden quicksand that lurks in the BG jungle and you will sink to their level.

LAW 4: Invest Your BG Funds BGs have a narrow window of opportunity to earn enough to last a lifetime. Now is the time to start investing and keeping a retirement savings account. This ensures you won’t end up broke after your BG days are over.  Don’t have an “it won’t happen to me” attitude. Save regularly to guarantee it won’t happen.

LAW 5: Personal Safety and Survival BG survival is the name of the game, because dead bodyguards don’t get paid. Yet, you don’t see much written about it the industry. BGs like to maintain a certain macho image. Being concerned about personal safety and survival may be perceived as a weakness for some. However, BGs can find themselves in dangerous situations. For a long and successful BG career maintain a survival attitude, avoid going into risky areas, be prepared for situations where you must protect yourself, maintain your physical conditioning, use personal safety and survival tactics, stay on your toes and keep alert.

LAW 6: Education Your level of BG success is equal to your level of education. Throughout your career keep your education going and your mind sharp. Put a list of educational objectives together and set goals and make them happen. Methodically achieve each of your educational objectives with patience and fortitude.

LAW 7: Respect Respect for your teammates is imperative in the industry.  Showing respect for BGs with more experienced can greatly influence your career.  When you respect those that have knowledge derived from experience this knowledge tends to rub off on you and improvements are made. However, no matter the experience level of those you meet while on BG assignment and during your daily life don’t forget the golden rule; treat others as you wish to be treated.

LAW 8: Giving Back Those that feel they have given plenty to the BG business and they don’t owe anyone anything are sorely mistaken. Do not be ungrateful to the industry, be thankful.  If the BG business has been good to you, use your success to help others. Do what is right and help the entry level BGs learn the ropes and become a success too.  Show that you care about the industry that made you a success. Remember the sacrifices other BGs made to put you in the position to become successful when you were an up-and-comer.  As a successful BG you have a moral obligation to be unselfish. Giving back to the business should make you feel good. Keep safe, because it’s a jungle out there, and God Speed.