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How to Become a Private Bodyguard: An 11-Point Guide

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Cartoon character of a Private bodyguard wearing an all-black suit and black sunglasses with a black background.
Private Bodyguard

Private Bodyguard

In the early 2000s, I was downtown, sharing a moment with a good friend, when an encounter brought my past into the present. An individual recognized me from my days as a bodyguard for the Artist Prince.

Approaching with curiosity and determination, he expressed his desire to enter the game of executive protection. He was keen on becoming a private bodyguard for a celebrity. I shared a quick elevator pitch on achieving that dream, which sparked even more interest in his eyes.

As he walked away, my friend turned to me, puzzled, and asked, “What are you doing?” I was confused at first, “What do you mean?” I responded. He elaborated, “Giving him information on how to become a bodyguard.

Maybe you should consider writing or putting together a blog to disseminate this information to a larger group of people instead of one or two at a time.” At that moment, I didn’t even know what a blog was. But that conversation planted a seed that eventually led me to figure it out and share my knowledge and experiences with those aspiring to become private bodyguards.

Entering the realm of executive protection and becoming a private bodyguard is a journey that requires more than just a desire to protect. Based on conversations with several executive protection company owners and my experiences, becoming a trusted private bodyguard involves a blend of formal training, real-world application, and an unwavering commitment to professionalism. Here’s an 11-point guide tailored to provide actionable steps for aspiring private bodyguards:

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JUST DON’T HAVE THE TIME

Doc Rogers, Featured Articles

By Doc Rogers

As bodyguards we have daily disciplines we must go through, both on and off duty.  Most of us kid ourselves that we’d get that extra training, read that manual, do some physical exercises or go to the shooting range . . . if only we had the time. However, to get things done to improve our careers and lives we must make the time, set priorities, discipline ourselves to get our daily disciplines done. Discipline is not about pushing ourselves to improve. It’s about wanting to get better at the job.

For example, many people in the industry say, “I want to be a great shooter, be able to score first rounds hits dead center, but I don’t have the time for all that practice and training. In fact, I don’t even own a weapon. Can you tell me the shortcut to being an expert marksman?”  Get to the range five times a week, practice until your trigger finger bleeds. Talk with as many firearms experts face-to-face and online as possible, read books on the subject and take notes.  Do this for a year and your shooting will improve dramatically.  If you are still learning the fundamentals of the trade, you’ve got a lot of training to do. And no, I don’t know any shortcuts. Sorry.

In our business, discipline gets the job done. The bodyguard who puts in more training and practice hours has more success than those who put in fewer hours. You have to want to improve and the only way to do is to work harder than everyone else. Here are some ways to find the time to get things done:

  • Outline what you want to achieve.
  • Know how badly you want to achieve it.
  • Know what gets in the way of your achievements and avoid them.
  • The real key to improving your career is to have goals, both short- and long-term. Set goals; daily, weekly, monthly and yearly.
  • Get excited to live the lifestyle you badly want by accomplishing your daily disciplines. Be self-motivated.

A professional bodyguard career is not built overnight; it’s very important to maintain total concentration on your daily disciplines.  You need to have consistency and patience. However, if you work hard, follow the above ethics and set your goals for the long haul, you will soon have an exceptional bodyguard career that’s well worth the extra effort. Good luck and God speed.

Doc Rogers is the author of Corporate Executive Protection – A Manual for Inspiring Corporate Bodyguards and president and CEO of International Corporate Executive Protection Ltd. Doc has earned a Ph.D. in Security Administration from Southwest University and he is SE Asia’s leading expert on executive protection and corporate security.

How to Bulletproof Your Bodyguard Career

Doc Rogers, Featured Articles

By Doc Rogers

Bulletproof defined; impervious to assault, damage, or failure; guaranteed – capable of resisting the force of a bullet.  How does one go about bulletproofing his or her bodyguard career?  As a bulletproof vest is made from many layers of woven or laminated fibers so should your bodyguard career.  Here are just a few examples on how to bulletproof your bodyguard career.

1.    Knowledge. Never think you know everything. As soon as you get complacent, you become vulnerable.  Be constantly trying to learn more from bodyguard trainers, from other bodyguards and from books. Everything you learn contributes to bulletproofing your bodyguard career.

2.    Be a Specialist. To bulletproof your career you must have some special knack. You should be able to conduct this knack better than anyone in your operational area.  When you are first starting out in the trade you’ll be a generalist, but to bulletproof your career for the long haul start building special capabilities. For example; advance man specialist, a particular geographical area  specialist, specialize in providing executive protection, specialize in providing celebrity/VIP protection, specialize in providing armed professional security drivers for wealthy and powerful elites, etc.

3.    Seize Opportunity. From the very start of your career plot a straight course to seize opportunity that comes your way as well as conduct painstaking research to make your own opportunity and land a lucrative bodyguard/executive protection contract.

4.    Plan Carefully.  When starting at the bottom of the trade you may feel like the lonely Maytag repairman. Being assigned to halls and walls duty, baggage security detail, or residential security.  Firstly, you must have a single-minded determination to pursue the job at hand and learn all there is to know. Secondly, you must, succeed and rise from these positions and get on the principal’s close-protection detail.  Use your time wisely.  Plot your course and start the planning that will drive you ahead.

5.    Keep in Shape.  Because we have the body that guard’s; we must keep it operating very efficiently like a well-oiled machine.  This means plenty of exercise and eating right.  A recent medical study suggests that exercise can lower your risk of Alzheimer’s in later years.  For a bulletproof body and mind plan for the haul with lots of physical activity. Think of your body as a highly lucrative marketing investment for your career.

Hope this article helps you to get a bulletproof career. Keep safe and God speed.

Doc Rogers is the author of Corporate Executive Protection – A Manual for Inspiring Corporate Bodyguards and president and CEO of International Corporate Executive Protection Ltd. Doc has earned a Ph.D. in Security Administration from Southwest University and he is SE Asia’s leading expert on executive protection and corporate security.

7 Secrets of Successful Bodyguards

Doc Rogers, Featured Articles

By Doc Rogers

1. Dream big – Have a clear vision of what you want to achieve with your bodyguard career. Upon waking visualize your goals and keep that vision in the back of your mind each day. You are meant to achieve big things in the industry.

2. Keep positive – When things don’t go your way in the trade you need to keep a positive mind to endure the rigors of the business. Never allow negativity to ruin your day.  Negative thinking will defeat you quicker than a sniper’s bullet.

3. Stay focused – On the job there is so much distractions, you need to dig deep and focus on the job at hand. Don’t let anyone or anything distract no matter what. Keep focused on the path of the bodyguard; ever vigilant. Channel your focus on the job at hand.

4. Keep passionate – Have an intense personal passion for the job. Make a difference in people’s lives and keep them safe and comfortable from threats and problems.  If you are passionate about the bodyguard trade, success will come easily.

5. Ongoing learning – Continue to participate in formal bodyguard training workshops and classes. Knowledge will give you the ability to achieve your goals and attain them more rapidly. To reach your full potential in the bodyguard world you must be learn constantly.

6. Buckle down – Prepare for hardwork ahead. This means sometimes putting in 80 hours per week, saying goodbye to your family and friends for months at a time, eating, drinking and breathing the bodyguard trade until you have achieved some success.

7. Keep disciplined – Successful bodyguards do what they should do, when they should do it, whether they like it or not.  Follow these 7 secrets and you too will become a success in the bodyguard trade. Good luck and God speed.

Doc Rogers is the author of Corporate Executive Protection – A Manual for Inspiring Corporate Bodyguards and president and CEO of International Corporate Executive Protection Ltd. Doc has earned a Ph.D. in Security Administration from Southwest University and he is SE Asia’s leading expert on executive protection and corporate security.

If It Was Easy, Everyone Would Be a Bodyguard

Doc Rogers, Featured Articles

By Doc Rogers

The bodyguard trade has a price, everyone must pay for admission. When you first start you must get specific executive protection training from a recognized school. The training does not come cheap, but look at it as an investment. Once you successfully complete your training there are additional fees that must be paid and honestly many bodyguard candidates aren’t willing to pay.

This includes long workdays (12-20 hours) intense agendas and stressful conditions, weeks and even months away from your family, living out of a suitcase and lots of unexciting hotel and airline food.  These are not complainants. The pay is decent; hard work deserves good pay and most of us knew what the job entailed before we got into the trade. However, I want to make it clear that this type of work isn’t for everybody. If it was an easy way of life, everyone would be a bodyguard.

If after reading the above, you are still interested in becoming a bodyguard, than you have the required determination and heart to succeed.  I’m not trying to discourage people from entering the trade, but remember there is a price to pay. You may be in for a struggle and lots of non-glamorous work. After your initial bodyguard training at the academy do not stop your learning process. Read everything you can on the subject.  There is no such thing as too much experience and knowledge.

When looking for work in the industry do not pass up volunteer jobs. This includes volunteering your time at local celebrity dinners or functions.  These volunteer jobs always tend to payoff in the future. It also looks good on your résumé.  But remember; go to give, not to take and serve greatly.

Next suggestion, move to city where the bodyguard trade is in demand. It is possible to find bodyguard work anywhere in the world.   But your best chances are in a city the needs bodyguards.  Do not move to any particular city on a whim. Be prepared and do your research first.  Start making daily, weekly, monthly and yearly goals for your bodyguard career.

When you first start, start out small. Get some quality business cards made, start meeting others bodyguards on Facebook and LinkedIn. Start attending bodyguard workshops in your area and mailing your résumé to Fortune 500 company executive protection units. Just make sure your résumé makes a good impression before sending them out. As you meet each goal, generate a new one until you land a bodyguard job and obtain a long-term career. With heart and determination you will make it. Keep safe and God speed.

17 Ways to Make it Big in the Bodyguard Business!

Doc Rogers, Featured Articles

By Doc Rogers

Here is a simple and short 3-part checklist to keep in mind if you want to make it “big” in the business:

Before all bodyguard assignments:

•    Be clean-cut and presentable.
•    Have a good comfort level.
•    Maintain professional posture, demeanor and gestures.
•    Visualize only positive things you want to happen, but plan for the worst.
•     Mentally rehearse and keep your objectives clearly in mind.

During all bodyguard assignments:

•    Think before you speak to the client.
•    Listen to the client with respect.
•    Make the client feel as if they are the only one who matters to you.
•    Stay firmly on the path of providing professional protection to your client.
•    Be a well-organized and hardworking.

After all bodyguard assignments:

•    Be willing to pay and price, go any distance, to achieve your bodyguard career goals.
•    Learn from your mistakes and don’t let unexpected challenges throw you off course.
•    Program yourself to think positively, devise your career strategies and take action.
•    Invest in your education and professional development.
•    Knowledge must be achieved through hardwork.
•    Stay humble and listen to those who have walked the path before you.
•    Keep at it and never quit; don’t lose faith – get a grip and keep instep.

These simple tips have served me well for over 20 years in the trade. If you stay firmly on the path, keep true to yourself, never tire, never rest and never give up, you will surely make it big in the bodyguard trade. All the best and God speed.


http://www.trafford.com/Bookstore/BookDetail.aspx?Book=182707
http://www.amazon.com/Corporate-Executive-Protection-Inspiring-Bodyguards/dp/1425135927
http://international-corporate-executive-protection.com/order.asp

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