I’m sure that my colleagues would agree that there is a certain “mystique” to the Bodyguard and Executive Protection industry. It is a world that can be somewhat shrouded in secrecy, and unfortunately, impressions of this business can be formed based on what the public sees on television and in the movies. In the interest of getting to some truth about this business, I thought it would be interesting to share some real world information that might help those who are interested in this career to understand that what is portrayed in the media is not always the whole (or realistic) picture.
Just to be clear, there are several terms that are used and are somewhat interchangeable for “Executive Protection Specialist.” They include: CPO (Close Protection Operative), and also “Bodyguard.” Wikipedia describes a bodyguard or EPS as: a type of security guard or government agent who protects a person—usually a famous, wealthy, or politically important figure—from assault, kidnapping, assassination, loss of confidential information, or other threats.
Now to be truthful, rarely is an attempt made to assault, kidnap or assassinate a protectee. Most often, bodyguards serve to defend against over-zealous fans, or the Paparazzi, who have increasingly invaded the privacy and safety of celebrities in the interest of getting photos and stories for print and electronic media use.
There is also the less-than-glamorous side of EPS work, which many people don’t talk about, because it belies the “mystique” of the job. I share a few items with you below, so you have a better picture of what it means to work as a bodyguard:
You may be called upon to play chauffeur. You will be driving the client and his friends all over town, to and from the airport, and will probably be expected to maintain the car, which means taking it to the car wash, keeping the tank filled and the car in perfect running order.
You may be expected to protect property, which can mean looking after your client’s purchases from a high-end department store while they continue to shop.
Your protection may extend to the client’s children, which means you may have a child making demands on you, which you are required to meet. This protection may also extend to looking after the family’s dog…and picking up after it!
It is expected that you will be available around the clock. Duties may include: managing transportation and planning routes, escorting the celebrity and entourage to social events, and looking after the safety and well-being of anyone in the celebrity’s circle of friends. If your protectee’s friends party until 5:00 a.m. and then are too intoxicated and need a ride home, you will be expected to drive them home…and clean up the car, should they get sick.
You will be asked to perform tasks that will fall into the “personal assistant” category. This can mean picking up dry-cleaning, making phone calls, picking up lunch, and the like. It can mean getting up at 3:30 a.m. to meet your client and his gal-pal at the grocery store because they decide on a whim that they want to pick up some food, and didn’t think to bring any money (since they never have to think about it–their “people” take care of these things.) It will be you, bleary-eyed and half-asleep, who will be called upon to bring them money to pay for their purchases!
Newcomers, you now have an accurate picture of what it is to bodyguard. If you think this work is the way it was portrayed in “The Bodyguard,” starring Kevin Costner and Whitney Houston–guess again!
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I believe people have a huge misunderstanding about protection in general. Size is one that bothers me the most. It is 2012 and we need to wake up from this lie about big guys and protection. I am 5’7, 165lbs. I am sure most of you here are big guys that I am positive I can take down. Lol, do not laugh but I am speaking the truth. Yeah size intimidates but if intimidation doesn’t work and it balls down to skill and strategy, what are you going to do? I served 8 years as a Ranger/Sapper combat soldier. If you knew what that meant, you would understand why I said earlier about taking big guys down, skill and strategy. I toured Iraq/Afghanistan and the Philippines on missions where skill and strategy was needed to include protection of high target personnel (Diplomats, news reporters, Generals, etc.)I was the lead. I took care of every situation in a unique and confidential manner with skill and strategy, the only thing we needed to know about health was if all of us could run; other than that, mission being first was accomplished. I do undercover work in NYC and we have events where celebrities come by for shows. I interact with their bodyguards or protection. Its funny how I am here showing them maps of hostile areas, emergency exits, first aid kit/fire extinguisher locations, emergency routes, weeks in advance of recon and they look at me like…. huh? I would ask them if they had any question and the wouldn’t even begin to understand what just happened. So here you have a professional and some big guy who needed a job. There you go. If I was to let this actor know what just happened, I think half of you would be with out a job. From self defense, to strategic driving courses, weapons knowledge, crowd control, rappel training, emergency response certification, hostile situation training, courage, professionalism, and so much more, to just being a big guy is a huge difference. I might be a small guy but I am 100% sure that the person I am watching will be ok, even if life is the price.
It is all about team work, understanding that we as a team have a task and that is to secure, prevent, be ready and flexible for whatever may come. Being prepared starts with the right attitude. No complaints, no slacking and not being a jackass. Do what you got to do, what you are trained to do. That is not to look good, pretend you are the best and tiring your team members by expecting them to do everything. Having a set orders and preparing your team for whatever may come as things can change at the last moment, will only benefit you and your team to be successful. Do what you got to do, if you need to sit at a door all night, do it but have a plan, if you got to leave a man behind because there is not enough space in a vehicle please don’t do the trunk monkey business, get him out and get going he/she should make plans to be at the next venue. Life is not roses in this industry because if it was, these Celebrities would not need our service but always remember that anything could be a threat that could injure, scare or even kill your client. You are their safety, you want to be on top of everything. Knowing what goes on is your power, not knowing is a fools game. Always be prepared, be ready and be available. No excuses.
Could not of said it better! So true. I am currently working for a corporate executive and the tasks I am doing are exactly as you state. I have told others interested in the EP Field that they should look at the position as a servant role to your client. Anticipate what they need and provide.
If you feel it is below your dignity to carry luggage, hold purses, walk a dog, clean a car or pick up food or other items, then this will be a difficult business for you.
You can keep the edge, but most important is can you fit in and get along wearing many different hats.
I have enjoyed reading the post regarding the personal protection industry. Everyday is a new adventure or challenge. There are no second chances in this business to get it right.
Everyone stay safe out there.
Hucky,
I am new to your site but I am enjoying it very much. I own my own little BG buisness in Texas. I cannot agree more with your writings here. The only exception I have is when we are working a known threat. Then we only work as a security detail, but with that said, I believe you are the same. In fact I offer my services as being multi-functional. The goal for me and my team is to be employeed. That means we have adjusted at times to meet client standards. I usually use in-training guards to complete errands and the like.I have a BG class I conduct, based on a 1 on 1 format. My local clients allow trainees to work on thier details.Usually at no addtional cost because the trainee is paying for instruction time, and OJT time. Of course, these jobs are the more day to day jobs we have with no specific threat, just crowd control. Or most of the time, we are little more than a status symbol for a client. Keep up the good work, Hope to meet you guys someday.
Elijah Shaw,
I know the feeling sir, when I worked under others I begrudgingly did all those things and more…now that I run my own company, I make it very clear to the clients what we will and what we wont do…I simply tell them im not willing to compromise the details operational ability by allowing them to serve errands and perform non-security related tasks. We have missed out on more than one client because of it, but a man with an arm full of shopping bags is going to take far too long to reach his weapon if an immediate threat presents itself. Im willing to lose out on the business if it means protecting my people and my package in a more efficient manner.
We also staff by two’s. I refuse to put an Operator in the field alone, and this policy has lost use a few clients as well.
I guess in the end it’s what you are prepared to lose out on. We have a client base of 90% corporate…if I took everything that came across my desk, it would be 90% entertainment.
Acowan,
You my friend are in a very privliged position. In my 15 years in the industry i’ve carried bags, made coffee, picked up the dry cleaning and still continue to do so with certain clients if necessary. While an assistant is the best person for that, I find that with Close Protection work it’s often you and your client and it’s very possible you end up wearing many hats.
Elijah J. Shaw
CEO
Icon Services Corporation
– Providing Personal Security Services Internationally –
http://www.Industry-Icon.com
http://www.BodyguardBlog.com
An Insiders Blog to the Bodyguard Industry.
I dont carry bags or run errands, and wont allow my operators to do it either and ive lost more than one account because of this fact…though I discovered a middle ground…I, with the Client’s permission of course, add a 1 to the detail, usually one of our less experienced and/or “in training” personnel and he/she acts as the bag mule, door opener and general errand runner. Its worked out so well that we are thinking about bringing on individuals with executive assistant experience so that we can offer it as an add on service.
On my first major detail my title was “Executive Luggage Porterâ€
while i was undergoing close protection training. my instructor told me of an incident where he was taking his client to the airport so he could fly to tokyo japan for a business meeting. at home his client told him to pick up his bag and he told him ‘my job is to protect you not to carry your stuff’ he told us as CPO’S we are never to carry luggages for our clients. but i see another truth in this and i agree with you. you got to be ready to wear many hats!
I have worn so many hats I need a few more heads. I think facilitator is the right word. I prefer facilitator as oppossed to enabler. Unfortunately some celebrities end up hiring enablers and thus get into trouble with the law or embarassed by the paparazzi.
Huck,
Too many people think it’s just standing around looking tough and it’s NOT.
Amen Hucky. Call it what you will but one thing is for sure, it’s hard work. People seem to forget that you are up before the protectee and don’t go to bed until after the protectee. And never mind “I don’t carry bags.” If you want to work in this industry, you will. You are spot on!
Bruce
http://www.executive-protection-news.com