Bodyguard Careers

Bodyguard Careers is an informational site with the purpose of providing bodyguards with all the information and tools necessary to succeed in the executive protection industry.

You are here: Home / Search for "executive protection"

Search Results for: executive protection

Code of Silence

Executive Protection Articles

“Guarding presidential candidates 24 hours a day, Secret Service agents know better than almost anyone what they are really like. Among Secret Service agents, no protectee evokes more disdain than ______________.”

So begins a recent story that was authored by an anonymous USSS agent. I will not be posting the complete story, which lambastes a particular candidate, because this runs counter to the “code of ethics” I believe are required to work as an Executive Protection Specialist or Bodyguard.

I find it appalling that at this echelon of personal protection, given the enormous salaries these individuals are earning, that an agent feels compelled to send out a printed missive venting frustrations or grievances against the character of the principal. To be truthful, the “warm and fuzzy” individuals who are in need of personal protection are few and far between. That’s a fact. These people have outrageous schedules, often an enormous amount of responsibility, and an unprecedented agenda that is first about business, and last about caring what their protectors think about them.

If this is a career path you wish to follow, be advised that it is more than likely that you won’t think the best of your employer. You may not like their lifestyle, their attitude, their manner with people or their politics.

But here’s the thing–if you work at Burger King, your job is to flip burgers and make nice to the customers, for a paltry minimum wage. If you are hired to work a protective detail, your job is to ensure no harm comes to your protectee. That’s it. The reason a Bodyguard or Agent earns so much is because the job is dangerous, certainly. But there is also a code of silence and respect that is inherent in this work. If you can’t manage to maintain discretion, go take that job at Burger King–because you’re making those of us who are professionals look bad.

Personally, I respected the USSS when they conducted themselves as quiet professionals. There’s a reason it’s called “The Secret Service.”

True Bodyguard Stories #5 In the Club

Personal Protection Jobs, True Bodyguard Stories

Back in the 1980s, most bodyguard “training” consisted of stints in the military. (ESI is the oldest intelligence-based protection services training program in the world, and was founded only 28 years ago.) I was one of the lucky few who fell into this line of work thanks to friendships and “right time, right place” circumstances.

I had to do most of my learning on-the-job. When I started out in this business, I was pretty much the baggage wrangler, and moved my way up through the ranks. Along my move up, I became involved in conducting advance detail duties. One of the most important things I learned is that executive protection work is based on a strong foundation of advance work. The advance team serves as the “eyes and ears” for the detail. Advance work means using a checklist to prepare for all types of scenarios.

At that time (before any formal training on advance work  was in place) it was really something that came out of developing common sense, using imagination to help visualize “worse-case-scenarios” and paying attention to intuition. I actually rather enjoyed doing advance work, because truthfully–it was time to myself when I wasn’t at the beck and call of the protectee I was protecting. It was breathing room, and a chance to look around whatever city we might be in! This is a true story about the importance of conducting thorough advance work. [Read more…] about True Bodyguard Stories #5 In the Club

A Superb CV: Your Ticket To The Top

Career Advice

Very recently, an extremely popular celebrity was seeking a new bodyguard.

Since this celebrity doesn’t have a lot of time (he’s very popular, remember?) his business manager is charged with the task of finding the appropriate talent for the position.

But business managers are busy people, quite often managing more than one demanding celebrity. And, since this is 2008 and the entire world moves at lightening speed, the manager doesn’t want to have to take the time to read over stacks of resumes in order to present the best candidates to the celebrity…as soon as possible.

See, the popular celebrity with the overworked business manager wants to see your brief and to-the-point CV, so you can be moved quickly to the top of the stack, scheduled for the interview and offered the job…as soon as possible. [Read more…] about A Superb CV: Your Ticket To The Top

No Shortcuts

Career Advice, Hucky Austin

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. [Read more…] about No Shortcuts

Bodyguard Salary Strategies For Beginners

What is the average Bodyguard Salary?

Many individuals who are new to this line of work frequently ask, “What is the average Bodyguard Salary?” Well, let me offer you some advice but, please note there are no hard and fast rules. This is based on my 20+ years of Executive Protection work.

Pocket full of Money
Bodyguard Salary

First of all, there are no set fees for bodyguard services. All fees are arranged by negotiating with the client. Obviously, the more skills you have, the more experience, the more training–the more you can earn. An experienced bodyguard may earn $100,000 per year plus bonuses, but these are often positions with distinct requirements and skill specifications, and the work may be located half-way around the world!

Geographical Area

Like many other trades, your geographical region can significantly have an impact a bodyguard salary. For example, a bodyguard working for a top agency in New York will typically make a lot more than a bodyguard in Minneapolis. Of course, your cost of living will also be much higher in New York. But normally, the highest-paying executive protection positions will be based in mega metropolitan areas where the famous and influential live, work and play: Los Angeles, New York City, Las Vegas, Washington DC, Miami and Atlanta.

also the rates associated with this type of work vary widely, depending upon many factors:

  • The Economy
  • Prior Experience, Skills & Training
  • Client Profile (Celebrity vs. Dignitary, National vs. International etc.)
  • Level of Risk/Danger
  • Political Climate
  • Amount of Travel Required
  • Locale & Circumstances of the Detail
  • Range of Duties for the Position

Bodyguards have varying levels and types of experience. For example: I know of a bodyguard earning six figures. The job locale is the Middle East–Saudi Arabia. This individual speaks fluent Arabic, and has a keen insight into the cultural and religious morals and societal rules of the region. This bodyguard served 8 years in the United States Marine Corps, and so an expert with weapons and highly skilled in martial arts. The ability to speak other languages meant this particular EPS served as an interpreter when the client traveled. Lastly, this bodyguard was a female. Those are extremely valuable skills, plus, the fact that there are so few females with this skill set all add up to a very high paycheck.

Former Secret Service agents acquire some of the finest training in the world–and garner the most extensive on-the-job experience. In the private sector, these individuals can demand the highest fees. Someone with extensive security experience, but virtually no close-personal protection experience will be earning significantly less, and the contracts are negotiated based on the factors mentioned above. Pay may range from $350 per day to $700 a day. Every contract is different. Many bodyguards earn in excess of $70,000 annually. Sometimes an inexperienced but well trained individual will be given a valuable opportunity to gain experience working in association with other bodyguards on an assignment such as a red carpet detail. Sometimes, newer bodyguards are called upon to provide an authoritative presence to act as a deterrent. The pay scale for a beginner is going to be lower, but remember, you are building a resume and contacts.

Right now, being a paramedic is extremely attractive to individuals seeking bodyguards, and this skill set means the potential is there to reap some high paying assignments, even with limited EPS experience. This demand means some companies are even willing to train paramedics in the PSD/EP skills needed to supplement their valuable medical training, which in turn will pay a higher bodyguard salary.

Remember, virtually any bodyguard employment in the private sector boils down to self-promotion. You can have the foremost training and experience, but you must also be ingenious at marketing your skills. Get to know other professionals to build a network. An associate of mine (who is currently working as a bodyguard to a high-profile performer) has superlative skills when it comes to creating an awareness of who he is and what he does. He has a presence on the world wide web and a network of friends on both the bodyguard and the client sides of the business. Develop contacts, keep your eyes and ears open to opportunities, and develop the confidence necessary to successfully market yourself. These are all key to opening the doors that may seem locked.

 

So let’s connect soon!

Warmest Regards

Founder of Bodyguard Careers

Harlan (Hucky) Austin

True Bodyguard Stories #3 The Mysterious Mr. Larson

True Bodyguard Stories

This is not a story about glamour and protecting international superstars. This is a true suits.jpgstory about a team of bodyguards trying to survive in a tough industry. All people and places have been changed due to discretion and client security. But the core of the story is the absolute truth.

In 2004 I had started a North European-based Bodyguard Agency with some of my friends. We all had great ambitions for the new firm, since the team was comprised of former army special services and law enforcement agents with executive protection training and bodyguard experience. My partner Steen had  trained the year before at ESI Academy in the US and we felt that we had what it takes to make it in the industry.

Four months passed, and we had only had a handful of clients, mostly short-term assignments. More “bouncer” work than “bodyguard work” Steen used to call it. We took assignments like protecting women from physically abusive husbands or boyfriends.

Landing those Executive Protection contracts was challenging, because in Europe, there are more trained bodyguards than actual jobs. But we were optimistic. Finally, in December of 2004 we got the call we where waiting for. A lawyer (let’s call him Mr. Larson) said that he was going to Rotterdam in Holland and needed Close Personal Protection for the trip. He told me that he had a meeting and a deal that he needed to close with one of his clients there. Mr. Larson said that if he liked working with us, he would consider hiring us as full-time drivers and bodyguards. Steen and I went to meet with Mr. Larson and he seemed like a nice person and we were glad to finally get some serious protection work. [Read more…] about True Bodyguard Stories #3 The Mysterious Mr. Larson

More Content