By Hucky Austin
A large number of people contact me daily about getting into the Executive Protection (Bodyguard) business. At the risk of bursting bubbles, I must tell you this: There are no short-cuts when you are protecting lives.
Think first about protecting yourself and your money when selecting a training program. This is your first assignment on this career path: Do the research and conduct due diligence in assessing schools and “employment opportunities.” Go beyond believing online hype and guarantees of employment. No program can promise you work upon completing coursework. If the school advertising or facilitators are telling you this–IT IS NOT TRUE!
There are countless unscrupulous and dishonest people out there who are taking advantage of people eager to get into this field. Do not be fooled.
First, understand that there are no shortcuts and that even with all the training in the world, without experience you will not land a $60K/year job straight out of the chute. It will not happen. Here are some points to consider:
If it sounds too good to be true–it’s a scam
Ask for contact info and speak with individuals who have completed the program, ask about both the positive and the negative aspects of the training
Understand that the most preliminary and very basic EPS training will consist of at least 1 week of course work–that’s just scratching the surface
Go to online industry forums and read what people have to say about
schools
Use professional resources/individuals to ask questions or for referrals
Training is ongoing and continuous–there are SO MANY aspects to
this career, as well as licensing, learning new technologies and procedures– you never really stop enhancing your skills and broadening your base of knowledge
Training programs can be a great first step in developing a network, make the most of your time in training, and develop friendships
Remember, be patient! In this “get rich/get famous quick” world, it seems young people especially want everything to happen quickly with virtually no effort. That is not realistic. Starting out in this field (as in any career) involves a certain amount of “paying dues.” You don’t move to the top–and the top-paying jobs–without putting in the time doing some less-than-glamorous tasks. Expect to work for less in the beginning, with the goal of garnering real-world experience.
I will be truthful with you, it will take a few years before you start to build a reputation (as well as a resume) worthy of the big-dollar assignments. This work is like any other career–get into it first because it is something you have a real passion for and are willing to work at–and the money will follow.
Lastly, never pay a fee to an employment agency. That is not a reputable business, it is someone taking your money and taking advantage of you. A placement firm usually works out a rate with the employer in advance. You do not pay a fee for a background check. If you are a candidate who is really being considered for the job, the company hiring you handles the background check.
To learn more about getting started in the EP business, consider attending the “Introduction to Executive Protection Seminar.” The first seminar will be held February 15th, in Bloomington, Minnesota.
Being Ex millitary/police personnel does not guarantee employment. You must have been in a real combat situtation where bullets are whizzing over your head or in a situation where you cant even think straight. Thats when u know whether you have what it takes to be a bodyguard.
Its no walk in the park. Given Special forces or Army mechanic the only difference is experience and training.
Once you learn from relaible trainers or the uniformed services with exposure to combat scenarios you have learn.
BRITAIN’s SAS & ISRAEL’s sayeret branches are considered the best in the world for their extensive experience.
But nothing in this industry is for sure, your training is the only thing that seperates you from the man on the street so getting the right training is paramount when embarking on this career path.
i Served in the Special operations Force(Singapore) a few years ago.
I’m seriously considering the EP field as a second career. I’m recently retired US Air Force after 21 years. I’m looking at the Executive Protection Institute, Robert Oatman’s EP course and Sexton Executive Security course as my intitial EP training. Please give me your brutally honest 2 cents worth on these organizations. These three companies keep popping up during my research. Thanks in advance for your comments.
Thanks for this post. i’m interested in getting into this business by taking a course that’s fairly extensive and expensive, assuming that the extra time and longer existence of said company will equip me better. I never would assume that this will guarantee me a position, and having this reminder helps. I wouldn’t WANT to be thrown into a high-level, high-dollar, high-risk position right away, anyway, because i’d be uncomfortable about my ability to do the job well if I didn’t have time and experience to work up to it. Seems like there’s some sort of logical progression here, just like any other kind of job one might do. You don’t start out as the CEO of a fortune 500 company, you work up to it.
Absolutely true. Without naming any names (like international Executives) there are many who promise training and employment upon completion of their programs. Most are \”Head hunters\” looking to snare their next victim so be careful and do you homework.
I know exactly what you mean, I’ve recently started a training business, I’ve been in the field a number of years. The opening line and the closing line of my power-point is that “your first job may not be what you have expect it to be”.
Trainers should 1. be experienced in the field, 2. must teach from first hand knowledge not just something out of a book or DVD they rented
I’ve been in battle I served with the Navy and Army, I was a fire fighter, and Deputy Sheriif. I bring all that to the table when I teach. I believe in ethical transparency not mystery. I will say that my intro course is 2 days (20 Hrs.) dealing mainly with close protection foot work and IED awareness and build from there.
Again starting a training business is much like getting that first gig, you start small and build as your reputation builds
Regards
M
Per usual, Hucky is right on the mark. I have been doing protective service, criminal investigations, and intelligence collection for the federal government for over 20 years, and must say that there is no guarantees when it comes to upward mobility or obtaining that “diamond” of an assignment. That magic does not exist in government service, and the premise probably has more validity in the private sector. As I near retirement, I am putting out feelers, checking in with agents who have left federal service or retired in an effort to determine what the private market has to offer. Although I know I am capable of putting a protective detail togehter, from doing the threat assessment, advance right thought to “wheels up”, I am an unknown quantity to the private security field. Yes, I have tons of training documentation and a wealth of experience, but I need privately connected contacts to run interference for me in order to secure a position. In fact, there is a distinct possibility that I could wind up working for a guy I once supervised! That would not bother me, and indeed I recognize that I would owe that ex-subordinate a great deal for getting me my first gig in the world of private protective security. Each of you make outstanding points; I can especially emphasize with Jessie who spoke of his time in the military, getting out and picking up protection work in Iraq, and appears to be on his way to a very successful career in the private sector. I know I tend to write a lot, but I would like to just pass this short story on to you to demonstrate that when you get an opportunity to assist a fellow member of your profession, you should view that as a meaninful act. When I was supervising an a federal law enforcement region that did protective and investigative assignments, my 21-year old administrative assistant came to me and showed me his newly issued State of Florida private investigator’s license. I told him to get as much training as he could and consider doing VIP protection, in addition to investigations. I then offered to send him to the evasive and counter terrorist driving school at Bill Scott Raceway, a course I had completed while an agent with the Department of State’s Diplomatic Security Service. He took me up on my offer and shortly after completing the course he told me he was selected by a major executive protection firm to work as a sub-contractor protecting the President of Haiti. He went on to tell me that he had met a fellow student at BSR who worked for this firm and had urged him to apply as a sub-contractor with his company. I lost an excellent administrator, but the private security field gained an outstanding individual, who I understand has gone on to work in Kosovo, Iraq, and throughout Latin America on a vast amount of protective details. Thanks for the time, and best of luck ot all of you. Take care Huck!!! Jim
I agree with all of the above, I left the military in 2003, did two tours in Iraq with security firms, returned to the U.S. thinking I had what it took to perform as a bodyguard. Come to find out I gain education with each detail I work, I am a sponge to the veterans when time allows but have quickly learned to always learn:) I learned extreme amounts from Deb Conrad above, we worked a detail in 2006 together, great professional, stay safe everyone….
nice post,i face the problem here in Nigeria.Everyone want to get the piece of the cake
Regarding Executive protection Careers.
Your article is well written and to the point…My experience has shown me education is very important. One needs to be a skilled and ethical professional in the areas of security, Intelligence, personal protection, escort duties, technology, discretion and diplomacy. Unobtrusive; blend graciously into the surrounding of the assignment and with the personalities absorbed. As your article states Executive Protection school are not always truthful as to the training a prospective student will receive, and most will not find you a job…I received an assignment a few years ago from a research group to check out every major EP school in the Western world, ( Europe, USA, Israel, Canada, Easter Europe ) many of these schools stress military type training, rather then civilian protection techniques. Some Schools such as ESI have a one or two good instructors.For example the UK schools like to hire former SAS people, The Germans Like to hire GSG9 people and so forth. If you want to make Executive Protection your career, Go to School and listen to the TRUE experts. You are never to old to learn.
Anyone who gets into this business must, it is a must to pay your dues. There is no getting around this factor. Most client’s want us to have some type of EP training (10 yreas) or more with proven verification. Just like Huck saids, you must learn to protect yourself first. My advise: document everything and keep your records and don’t turn around and uses those records against a client (this is call loyalty). Client’s are looking for experence agents with some type of loyalty. Those who can keep their mouth shut! This is another part of our responsibility! Some client’s know that if they don’t take care of you you may become lacking in your duties. This is not just a job, people’s lives are at stake, so know what you are getting yourself into before you decide to get into this profession.
Ted, concerning Britney, there was no loyalty concerning her BG. Client’s who put their trust in their EPS listens to them. When I was with B. Brown years ago (the 80’s) there was things he wanted to do and I stepped in too advise him of the consequence. Even today, I have to advise my client on things that can’t be done. He listens because there is trust and loyalty. Plus, I have over (36 years) of expereince in this business…I guess that helps. Get the proper training and listen to those expereince instructors, their helping to keep you alive and working.
Great advice as always!! The proper education and training which will lead to appropiate certifications and licenses – which in turn will lead to landing an EPS detail from which one can gain experience is definitely of extreme importance. It is our own responsibility to make sure that we are getting the right training for the money we are paying – There is no excuse for not doing your due diligence, and you must also pay your dues in this industry without any exceptions!! As Hucky says, there are so many aspects to this profession therefore on going education/training is a must! On one of the comments Deb said that this is not police work nor are you a security guard – I’d like to offer this – it’s true, it is not police work – but let’s not forget that an EPS/Bodyguard and a Security Guard are both in the same industry – which is the Protective Services Industry – Because as I am sure we all know, EPS work may include Estate and Business Protection, I realized that when most people think of an EPS/Bodyguard, they think of the guy with the black suit and sunglassess “guarding” the celebrity or executive which is fine of course! It is important to mention again, especially for those who are new or thinking about entering this field, that EPS/Bodyguard work may include Estate and Business protection as well as the Physical protection, Personal property protection, including the Principal’s reputation!! I don’t know about you guys but if a client comes to me and tells me that he is going to Europe on vacation and he needs someone to Protect his Estate and that he will pay me $7000 if I do it, I will do it inmediately!! This is what Hucky is talking about when he says that there are so many aspects to this profession(Estate,Business,Personal). Also, on what Ted says about advertising – I agree it should be advertise so that clients will know that properly trained EPS agents are available and that they can get their monies’s worth! on the other hand – I kind of like the mystique that sarounds this profession and the reason for this mystique is that it can not be done by your average Joe/Jane – it takes a very special individual to do it – think about it, who has the guts to put his/her life on the line to save another human being? A very special individual!!
I offer my comments in a constructive manner, thank you for allowing me to do so!!
Great article. A major part of the problem with people thinking that any one can do this job is because we don’t advertise in the media. Our profession seem to be part of a secretive society. This has lead to most clients having some one they know personally as their protection details. I’ve noticed that a large amount of clients don’t want to to pay top dollar for protection when thay can pay a friend a lot less. If our industry would promote itself more in all forms of media itt may help change the proception that any one can do this job. One question always comes to my mind is:, Why is Britney Spears driving her self around town constantly getting into trouble with the law? Where is her protection detail?
I agree 100%. I was a victum of such an unscrupulous and dishonest Website. I feel I have paid my dues but I still find that It’s harder to find work when you don’t have the neccessary skills. So Any one can be a BodyGuard but It takes talent, Skill, and Commitment to be an Executive Protector. So watch your 6 and remember your training. “Thyn Honor is dearest to me, than my life”
I cant tell you how many phone calls i get each day from people with little or no experience who’s first words out of thier mouth are… “Do you guarantee job placement after training??”
As the director of Bodyguard Training International (shameless plug) I am baffled by most of the calls from people who think this is just a cake walk profession and that anyone can do it… it actually offends me and many of the guys i work with. YOU MUST PAY YOUR DUES! Most people think you dont need training to get a job as a bodyguard… that MAY be true in certain circumstances, but it is TRAINING that will keep that shiney new job of yours from going to someone else… anyone can put their best foot forward for a few months, think of the dating scene, it isnt till about 3 months into a new relationship that the walls come down and the truth comes out… the same applies to being a bodyguard. It is your training that will keep your job in tact and more importantly, save your clients ass!
As with any noteworthy career, from truck drivers to doctors, there is always education and training… EP work is no different.
So once you have some training, as Hucky states, NETWORKING is the key to landing work, and work GETS work…
I could go on for hours, but those of you needed to hear this, have heard it… take this serious and this will take YOU serious.
Those who prepare… SURVIVE!
Your article is very good and accurate. A good education in this field is essential for doing it right. There are things that will fall into place once in the field, but some direction first is a must. This is not Police work, nor are you a Security Guard … finess is key and expected. Bumbling idiots are a dime a dozen and not what the client is paying for here. Team work is very important …. there are no one man hero’s in a team. This is a very good site. Thank you.
Hucky,
This is 100% true. You have to pay your dues before it comes to you.