Bodyguard Career Goals

The Professional Bodyguard Résumé: By Doc Rogers

1. Résumé Paper Your résumé should have a professional appearance, use high-quality white paper.

2. Font Size and Color The font color should be black; the font size should not be less than 10. You should only use Arial, Times New Roman or Tahoma font types. Keep your résumé to one page only.

3. Proofread Always proofread your résumé for typos and grammatical errors.

4. Education and Training Under education and training list in reverse chronological, name of school and bodyguard academy, time period (can be just years) and the degree or certification received. List any honors only if they are academic or bodyguard training in nature and put them under the relevant school or bodyguard/executive protection academies you have attended.

5. Experience Under experience list in reverse chronological order the name of your employer, time period (can be just years). For each job you held describe what you did in short sentences or bullet points. Include all leadership skills, such as bodyguard supervising or leading a bodyguard team as the detail leader.

6. Professional Certifications Under professional certification list all bodyguard relevant certifications and licenses.

7. Community Activities Under community activities list all bodyguard relevant community connections. Many bodyguard employers like to see this in a résumé. Such as volunteer bodyguard work non-profit associations or security work at public fundraisers, etc.

8. References Do not list your references on your résumé; use an attached sheet, which matches your résumé paper. Don’t staple your reference page to your résumé and never submit your references unless they specifically request by the bodyguard employer.

9. Additional Résumé Tips You need to update your résumé on a regular basis and tailor your résumé to the specific bodyguard employer.

10. Sample Résumé Name: John Q. Bodyguard, MS, CPS Address: 123 Any Street, Any Town, Any State, Any Country Email: Johnq@bodyguard.com

Education and Training School: Bodyguard University, Address: 456 Any Street, Any Town, Any State, Any Country Degree Received: Master Degree (MS) in Security Administration

School: Executive Security International Ltd, Address: 715 Horizon Drive, Suite 301, Grand Junction, Colorado 81506 USA Degree Received: Certified Protection Specialist (CPS) certification

Experience Employer: Multi-National Corporation, Address: 789 Any Street, Any Town, Any State, Any Country Duties: Served as an executive protection specialist for clients, prepared advance work for overseas client business trips, arranged and conducted security surveys at all scheduled venues, set up professionally trained security drivers and managed the motorcade on a daily basis, provided strategy and updates to clients regarding new environment security developments

Employer: Hollywood Corporation, Address: 789 Any Street, Any Town, Any State, Any Country Duties: Served as the chief executive protection specialist for a Hollywood movie actor and his family, arranged secure environments and secure ground transport during business and leisure travel, conducted advance work for at business aviation centers and airport for the clients private jet, setup secure hotel arrangements, professional security drivers, responsible hospitals and safe havens in 26 countries, providing personal protection and threat assessments in each location

Professional Certifications Certification: PADI Instructor Certification Specifics: Successfully completed the PADI scuba diving instructor’s certification course Certification: Armed private security guard/bodyguard (Date) Specifics: Successfully completed training required by the state for armed private security guards and bodyguards.

Community Activities Provided volunteer executive protection for the Catholic Charities festival (Date) Provided volunteer executive protection for the Breast Cancer Awareness fund-raising (Date)

Employment References Please refer to page two of my résumé.

Good luck with creating a professional bodyguard résumé and God Speed.

About Doc Rogers: He is the author of best seller Corporate Executive Protection – A Manual for Inspiring Corporate Bodyguards and the newly released eBook entitled How to Build Your Own Executive Protection Business.  Doc is president and CEO of International Corporate Executive Protection Ltd., has earned a Ph.D. in Security Administration from Southwest University, is a Certified Protection Specialist from Executive Security International, a decorated former veteran police officer and is SE Asia’s leading expert on executive protection and corporate security.

The Attitude Factor

In the bodyguard business your attitude matters a great deal.  On and off the job you should treat others like you want to be treated, unless prevailing situations dictate otherwise. Your attitude will determine your success as a professional bodyguard. Those with the wrong attitude trying to enter the bodyguard industry don’t generally achieve much professionally. The following is a list of the wrong type of attitudes to avoid:

Gangster Bodyguard

Type Also known as tough guy; these types of aspiring bodyguards often display inappropriate body language, are overly aggressive, often uses slang words or foul language among fellow bodyguard to impress or even intimidate. However, most veteran bodyguards realize that these types are often inexperienced in the field, have little actual bodyguard training, are poorly educated and don’t possess much in the way of marksmanship or self-defense skills.  Avoid this attitude type; act confident and business-like at all times.

Know It All Bodyguard Type

The bodyguard industry is filled with new bodyguards that have entered the trade from another professional who act like they know everything about bodyguarding and refuse to learn or accept advice. In reality each bodyguard assignment you go on you learn something new. However, the know it all types often criticize the operational techniques of other bodyguards in the field. They constantly express their opinion or make judgment upon a more experienced and trained bodyguard and pretend to know all the methods. However, in actuality they don’t know much and their opinion on bodyguard tradecraft is severely lacking. These types have the opinion that their bodyguard teammates are less intelligent than them. Don’t be one of these know it all types; when your bodyguard supervisor or teammate talk to you keep your ears open and mouth shut.

Conceited Bodyguard Type

The conceited type of bodyguard is one who is excessively proud of himself. He may appear vain, arrogant or snobbish to his own teammates. The puzzling thing is he is new to the industry and hasn’t accomplished anything yet to be proud about. This happens frequently when the rookie bodyguard purchases a new suit, new pair of shoes and a pair of designer shades. There is nothing wrong about looking good, clean and fresh and having female admirers look at you when you walk passed, but do not get big headed. Don’t be full of yourself; an attitude of pride or arrogance can cause wreckage to a bodyguard career before it even has a chance to start. Don’t let this happen to you. Don’t think about yourself, but instead be concerned about your principals and teammates safety and wellbeing. Thinking about yourself or centering everything around yourself will kill your career.

Old School Bodyguard Type

Although old school bodyguards are looked upon with high regard and respect, they need to move into the modern era, become updated when it comes to technology and stop saying “back in the day” so often. Technology has become a crucial part of the bodyguard’s daily life nowadays. Start studying and getting to know how to utilize the latest technology that bodyguards use on assignments. This includes: GPS navigation devices (used when performing route assessments), smartphones and other mobile devices, low-light video camera and digital cameras (used for advance work), and other technology (IED detection, bulletproof vests, surveillance technology, etc.). This will enable you to be equipped with the latest technology available and know how to use it; you’ll still be “old school” but not act like a fool.

There are many more attitude types in the industry that wasn’t covered in this short article; it would take an entire book to cover them all. Just keep your attitude as professional as humanely possible and you will go far in the bodyguard industry. Keep safe and God speed.

About Doc Rogers: He is the author of best seller Corporate Executive Protection – A Manual for Inspiring Corporate Bodyguards and the newly released eBook entitled How to Build Your Own Executive Protection Business.  Doc is president and CEO of International Corporate Executive Protection Ltd., has earned a Ph.D. in Security Administration from Southwest University, is a Certified Protection Specialist from Executive Security International, a decorated former veteran police officer and is SE Asia’s leading expert on executive protection and corporate security.

By Doc Rogers

To become a professional bodyguard it takes brains and street savvy, because there are lots of potential risks out there. Prior to each bodyguard assignment the following should be conducted of to minimize the potential risks.

Local Conditions: Once you have conducted a risk assessment of the local conditions (high, moderate, low risk) you should structure your bodyguard team with a balance of dedicated bodyguards and local bodyguards tailored to the requirements of each assignment and taking account of the local threats and potential risks.

Contingency Plans: On all bodyguard assignments and local conditions (high, moderate, or low risk)  contingency plans must be in place for principal evacuation from each venue to be visited, each location entered and while occupying a hotel overnight or for multiple nights. Safe havens must be setup; these are places where the principal will be protected from harm or danger (embassy, police station, security headquarters or compound, etc.).

Comprehensive Risk Assessment: A comprehensive risk assessment assessment process must be conducted. An assessment of the potential risk should be conducted in the early stages of planning bodyguard assignment planning. Factors include:

1) The history of threats and core causes (crime and/or terrorism).

2) The history and status of the police or security forces in controlling the risks.

3) Population demographics, in particular any ethnic threats.

4) Active regional crime or terrorist risks, particularly those that might pose a risk to the principal.

5) Available resources for the provision of security for the principal (security drivers, venue guards, etc.).

Specific Techniques to Reduce Risks: The following are specific techniques the bodyguard team should utilize to reduce risks towards the principal. Operational bodyguard deception should be employed to introduce doubt into the mind of those with potential to cause risk against the principal (crime, terrorism and/disruption risks). The following procedures should be included so actions cannot be predicted and attacks against the principal mounted:

1) Varying motorcade routes.

2) Varying foot movement routes.

3) Varying arrival and departure points.

4) Varying entry and exits points.

5) Change meeting venues.

Keep Unpredictable The above procedures will achieve an element of deception needed to reduce the potential risks towards the principal. The criminals, terrorists and those who seek to disrupt the principal’s visit to an operational area will look to predict the actions of the the bodyguard team in order attack or upset the principal. Bodyguard teams must not set patterns, to do so would increase the risk to the principal. The motorcade must not stop at the same location, arrivals and departures, routes and timings must be unpredictable and be varied. At all times the bodyguard must remain vigilant for potential risks and communicate observed risks to the team. Keep safe and God speed.

About Doc Rogers: He is the author of best seller Corporate Executive Protection – A Manual for Inspiring Corporate Bodyguards and the newly released eBook entitled How to Build Your Own Executive Protection Business.  Doc is president and CEO of International Corporate Executive Protection Ltd., has earned a Ph.D. in Security Administration from Southwest University, is a Certified Protection Specialist from Executive Security International, a decorated former veteran police officer and is SE Asia’s leading expert on executive protection and corporate security.

Bodyguard Training

By Doc Rogers

When working on a bodyguard team you will need concentration and confidence. Proper bodyguard performance is also linked to good basic initial bodyguard training (knowledge, skills, and activities), team cohesion, emotional stability, trust, responsibility and the need for bodyguard career achievement. These are the characteristics related to teamwork in a bodyguard setting and are associated with the success or failure.

Get Along Well: You need establish a relationship and relate well to your peers on a bodyguard team; otherwise protective performance coverage may suffer. Within a team environment you need to be of one mind, be on the same wavelength, get along well and become friends. Why? Bodyguarding is a team effort, teams survive and individuals die.

No Rebels:  is working towards a common goal, following standard operating procedures (SOPs) that saves and protect lives. There is no room for non-team-players, troublemakers, rebels, and individuals who are not found of SOPs.  Today’s bodyguard teams stress team values, structure and SOPs for them to be cohesive, effective and successful. Anti-team behavior has no place in the bodyguard industry. Anti-team behavior causes negative feelings, has a negative influence and impact on performance and could get the principal and the bodyguards killed.

Teamwork: Is the Only Way Working as a team provides the greatest protective coverage, the ability to get this done in an efficient manner and provides the greatest concentration for safety and security for the principal on a day to day basis. There is no room for loners who exhibits anti-team behavior on a bodyguard assignment, period. Good luck and God speed.

About Doc Rogers: He is the author of best seller Corporate Executive Protection – A Manual for Inspiring Corporate Bodyguards and the newly released eBook entitled How to Build Your Own Executive Protection Business.  Doc is president and CEO of International Corporate Executive Protection Ltd., has earned a Ph.D. in Security Administration from Southwest University, is a Certified Protection Specialist from Executive Security International, a decorated former veteran police officer and is SE Asia’s leading expert on executive protection and corporate security.

Bodyguard Techniques

By Doc Rogers

As a bodyguard you are judged on your performance, execution, assignment accomplishments and mission fulfillment. You need to stay clear on your performance priorities and work on the task that’s most for principal and team protective results. Here are some of the things you should start thinking about now. Your performance will be judged by how calm and organized you are as a bodyguard. If difficulties arise, don’t panic. Go through a series of step in your mind to deal with the problem and keep cool.

Consistently Sound Bodyguard Techniques: When on a bodyguard team you must consistently execute sound bodyguard techniques with one goal in mind the complete protection of the principal. You bodyguard techniques must be drilled into you so they’ll never fall apart.  Your ability as a bodyguard must and the consistent demonstration of sound techniques only comes from techniques ingrained through hard work and training. Those who do not demonstrate sound bodyguard techniques consistently on assignments lack proper training and preparation.

Training and Preparation: What happens on a bodyguard assignment is a product of the training and preparation. Go to a good bodyguard academy; get solid training under your belt, because you can’t bluff it. Then prior to each assignment you go on relentlessly drill on the bodyguard basics (arrivals, departures, opening car doors, entering elevators and worst case scenarios, etc.). By doing this over time you’ll be able to executed sound bodyguard techniques with perfection and will ultimately lead to a successful bodyguard career.

Professional Caliber Bodyguard Performance: Here are the skills and attributes of a professional caliber bodyguard. Now is the time to get the level of skill commensurate with a pro-bodyguard: 1) The bodyguard possesses the physical and mental skills and techniques that meet the standard requirements of the job, 2) The bodyguard will be able to contribute productively to the team, 3) The bodyguard exhibits professionalism, patience and poise, 4) The bodyguard will make a positive impact on the team with his current overall skill set, 5) The bodyguard stands tall under pressure and maintains a professional mentality at all times, 6) The bodyguard’s execution of protective techniques is at a level above most other bodyguards, 7) The bodyguard makes no mistakes under pressure, 8) The bodyguard provides protective coverage for the principal efficiently, 9) When performing advance work (reconnaissance) the bodyguard is extremely productive, 10) The bodyguard is an efficient technician in threat assessment and avoidance, 11) The bodyguard maintains a high level of knowledge and is continually improving his craft, 12) The bodyguard maximizes his current skill-sets and minimize his minor flaws, 13) The bodyguard can handle a fast-paced, workload assignment, 14) The bodyguard exhibits impressive skills during both low profile and high profile assignments on a consistent basis, and 15) The bodyguard is a valued contributor to the team. Good luck and God speed.

About Doc Rogers: He is the author of best seller Corporate Executive Protection – A Manual for Inspiring Corporate Bodyguards and the newly released eBook entitled How to Build Your Own Executive Protection Business.  Doc is president and CEO of International Corporate Executive Protection Ltd., has earned a Ph.D. in Security Administration from Southwest University, is a Certified Protection Specialist from Executive Security International, a decorated former veteran police officer and is SE Asia’s leading expert on executive protection and corporate security.