Bodyguards Need Physical and Mental Fortitude

Bodyguards are not Thugs

Bodyguards are often betrayed as knuckle-dragging thugs. This common misconception couldn’t be further from the truth. This article tells what is really needed to become a bodyguard. First, if all becoming a bodyguard is not for everyone. You must have great physical and mental fortitude to learn the trade and must be willing to sacrifice your time. After all, nothing worthwhile comes without a price. Don’t be fooled by mindless Hollywood fiction movies that portray the bodyguard profession in the worst possible way. Even the 1992 classic “The Bodyguard”, starring the late Whitney Houston and Kevin Costner shows unethical bodyguard behavior. The bodyguard becomes romantically involved with his client. Real pros, who want to have long careers, never cross the ethical boundaries of the trade.

Hollywood Bodyguard Stereotypes

Hollywood bodyguard stereotypes are often a cross between gangsters and idiots. I once worked for Hollywood actor that fired bodyguards for not shaving and for dressing inappropriately. However, in one of his movies, my client played an ex-cop-turned-bodyguard. He appeared in the movie unshaven, trench coat wearing and bad-mannered. Exactly the type of bodyguard in real-life he would fire on-the-spot. Hollywood’s depiction of our trade is twisted and does not provide good learning experiences for those interested in becoming bodyguards. A Bodyguard with a lack of mental capabilities or limitations would not make it in a real-life occupational role.

Bodyguards are Complex

Bodyguards in real-life have to be equally at home behind a book as they are behind a Glock. Bodyguards quietly practice and perfect their trade which includes countless hours of physical effort and mental study. These skills are necessary for success in the industry. Many bodyguards specialize in a particular area of proficiency. This includes advance work, point man, bodyguard-driver, detail leader, or medic. This gives them superior capabilities and significant work opportunities.

Bodyguards on more complex assignments absorb and retain large amounts of information. This includes airport knowledge, ground handler familiarity, and motorcade assembly, obtaining a network of contacts at hotels, venues, restaurants and participating in joint operational planning with support personnel. Lastly, a bodyguard must have deep pools of professional contacts they can call upon when required. This takes mental intelligence, not a trade for the weak minded.

Bodyguards must be Strategic

A Bodyguard must be strategic and operational planners. They have to be widely acknowledgeable in many different activities to provide a valuable contribution. Bodyguards must have an understanding of the operational environment, the threat level and the political sensitivity of the areas they work in. This type of understanding provides a large measure of support for the team during operational tasks and enhanced protection for the client.

Regardless of the type of assignment, a bodyguard is on; corporate, Hollywood, diplomatic, religious, sports or the music industry he or she must have the physical and mental fortitude and be capable of avoiding and addressing potential threats. To do this you need to train for physical and mental strength. You must mitigate any weaknesses. You are only as strong as your weakest link; maintain a strong mind in a strong body. This will improve your effectiveness as a bodyguard and greatly enhance your career. For more resources on becoming a bodyguard see links below.

Introduction to Celebrity Protection

Best Bodyguard School

This article was written by Doc Rogers

Bodyguards

Executive Protection Specialist Is A Crucial Business. Learn Why!

Working as an Executive Protection Specialist

Working as an Executive Protection Specialist will lead you to be placed in various locations and assignments as well as being exposed to various clients. Some clients will treat you with the utmost respect and dignity and will listen to your direction and insight, while others will talk down to you and treat you as an object they own and control. The unfortunate reality is that many clients fall into the later category. With this said, remember that regardless of this unfortunate treatment you have to rise above the situation and always act in a professional manner. If your feelings become hurt easily then this is not the job for you!

Recently, one of my associates contacted me and wanted to share with me a situation that he had recently dealt with while on the road. My associate had been hired to protect an entertainer that is an up and coming rap artist. After a recent show the rapper, his posse, and countless guests were partying in a small private space at a nightclub. While the party was in full force, the local fire marshal came to the club and met with my friend. The fire marshal explained to my friend that if anyone else came into the private space that he would start to issue citations and “shut the place down.”

Types of Executive Protection Clients

My friend advised the fire marshal that he would comply and not allow anyone else to enter the room. Keeping true to his word, my associate was diligent in his task and ensured that no additional guests entered the party. About 45 minutes after meeting with the fire marshal, my associate was summoned to go speak with the “rapper.” When he arrived, the “rapper” began using loud and obscene language which was then followed by the threat to fire my associate for not letting “his people” into the party.

The moral of this story (which goes hand in hand with this post on particular clients) is to always ensure that you are comfortable working for those you are protecting, be confident that this is “the right fit” for you when it comes to Executive Protection operations. Many individuals entering into this field believe that they have to take the first job that is offered to them; however, this is the wrong attitude to have. Working a protection detail, in many cases, is similar to marriage. In short, in a marriage both parties must learn to respect one another and must understand the others’ needs and concerns.

If one member of the relationship fails to follows these guidelines, that marriage is doomed to fail. The same holds true when working with a client. I have known numerous cases where an executive protection specialist has “pissed” off the client for what ever reason and was terminated from employment. The executive protection specialist then faces what is labeled “blackballed” by the client who will pass on partly true and false information about the executive protection specialist , thus causing him or her a hard time in finding employment within the industry.

Think about this for a minute…before you are going to be hired by that musical pop-star or owner of a fortune 500 company to provide EP services for them, these individuals, their record labels or private investigators are in many cases going to put you thru the ringers by conducting a background check, financial check, and then will speak to references that include former co-workers, family, and friends.

So my question to you is this, why would you not look into the background of these individuals prior to accepting employment with them? Be leery and always check on who and what the individual(s) you are going to protect are about. Practice your due diligence, find out what others can tell you about a specific client, and join some of the executive protection based forums offered out there. Remember in the end, the final choice is yours and yours alone, but an educated individual who takes the time to learn about the client he or she is working for will have a much better chance to increase their longevity within the EP game.

Remember: As an executive protection specialist you are not only protecting a client but you are also protecting yourself. As a mentor to those entering this field I applaud you to heed to what I have shared with you in this post. I want you to be successful in this career if this is the path that you wish to follow. As someone who has had the opportunity to travel these roads alone and in many cases has had to find things out the hard way I want you to know both the positive and the negative sides of this business and how cut throat clients can sometimes be.

This article was written by Nathan Seabrook

How to Become a Bodyguard

Doc Rogers, Featured Articles

How to become a bodyguard

By Doc Rogers

How to become a bodyguard, considering a career change from your present line of work. Maybe the bodyguard industry is the right fit for you? This article gives 10 powerful thoughts to help you become a bodyguard.

Executive Protection — How to become a bodyguard

Do you have the ability to help others:

As a bodyguard, you keep your clients out of harm’s way and give them the confidence they need to achieve their business and personal goals securely.

Continuously learning:

As a professional bodyguard you will be constantly obtaining special knowledge (expertise) from your formal training, on-the-job training and independent study (often at your own cost). You should never stop learning the trade.

Appreciation for different cultures:

As a bodyguard you will gain an understanding of the world we live and work in, this will help you to better protect your clients. As a bodyguard you will learn about the cultures and the traditions of the countries you will be operating in as well as the respect for it’s people.

Great salary:

Bodyguarding is a labor intensive profession, charge your clients accordingly. You will want to avoid having your fees to low or to high. Provide the best quality service at the best price, at a happy medium. As a bodyguard you won’t starve, but you won’t become a millionaire either.

Bodyguarding is a rewarding profession:

Bodyguards have the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of their clients. Bodyguards are not only rewarded with money, but also the feeling of fulfillment in keeping their clients safe.

Career security:

Even with a weak economy bodyguards are still needed worldwide. Bodyguards rarely take pay-cuts; our salaries stay stable even in these tough economic times.

Job mobility:

Bodyguards can move to any part of the world and conduct business. Bodyguarding is an excellent mobile occupation that allows you to live anywhere in the world and there’s a big world out there with lots of opportunities.

Prestige and respectability:

The respect accorded to trained bodyguards rivals that of law enforcement and the military. Bodyguarding is considered a noblest profession, according to folklore it’s the fifth oldest profession in the world.

Client versatility:

You have a choice of working with high powered business executives, politicians, superstar athletes, famous entertainers and celebrities, as well as everyday individuals who are under threat.

Life long friendships:

Bodyguards develop life long friendships with other professionals throughout the world. Some of these friends will become your second family while on the road. This is one of the greatest aspects of the job. So now you know what to do to become a bodyguard.

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. To learn how to make a full time living as a corporate bodyguard visit the websites below for more information.

Bodyguard 380 Review What You Know and What You Don’t Know

Bodyguard 380 Review

Bodyguard 380 By Mark “Six” James

Recently, I received an email from an individual seeking advice on purchasing a Bodyguard 380 pistol for his wife’s personal protection use. He knew nothing about firearms but wanted something that would be easy-to-carry, and slim enough to slip into her handbag. I remembered in 2012 I reached out to my friend Mark “Six” James and asked him if he would write a review of the Smith & Wesson Bodyguard 380. I didn’t know much about this particular pistol, so I thought it be best to have an expert weigh in on it. Below is his review.

A friend called me the other day and asked if I wouldn’t mind taking a moment to write a review of the Smith & Wesson Bodyguard 380. As a protection specialist and firearms instructor, I chuckled and said, “Harlan you know I don’t shoot starter pistols.” He then replied, “You have never seen a handgun you didn’t like to shoot.” I said, “You are right, give me a week and I will get back with you.”

My everyday carry weapon is typically a compact or full size .45 ACP or 9 mm subcompact when I want to travel light. I am not one to be sucked into the caliber wars as accuracy should always trump caliber size and in close quarter engagements, it is often your tactics more so than the caliber size or marksmanship which will keep you alive.

However, I am a proponent of a person carrying the largest caliber that they can shoot accurately. A well-trained operator will handle their business with any caliber you put in their hand, unfortunately, most people are not well trained and handgun encounters are rarely one shot stops.

I had seen the “Bodyguard 380” advertised but had not taken the time to really look into it, as I had not historically been a big fan of pocket guns.

A Place for “Pocket Guns” like the Bodyguard 380

Although, I am a firm believer the situation should always dictate the tactics and the tools. With that said there is a definite place for pocket guns.

Personally, I think pocket guns function best as secondary and tertiary tools. Most have poor sighting systems, undersized grips and are often underpowered. Probably the biggest challenge I see with them is how they are often sold. I see many people attempting to buy them as primary weapons for new shooters. Many people are of the misconception that because they are small in both stature and caliber they will be easier to shoot and have less felt recoil.

Effective recoil management starts first with a good grip. Since most people buy firearms and never get the proper professional training they often suffer from poor fundamentals be it improper grip or poor sight alignment. Thus rarely learning how to master the tool.

Bodyguard 380 a Small Gun that Acts Like a Big Gun

When I went to my local gun shop and range today to take a closer look at the Bodyguard 380, I was pleasantly surprised to see a large number of big gun features built into this small package.

The Bodyguard 380 has a polymer frame with a stainless steel barrel and slide. It is also equipped with a manual thumb safety, slide stop, external takedown lever and loaded chamber indicator.

It has useable raised stainless steel adjustable sights (dovetail cuts) and an integrated Insight laser sight on the vertical axis with ambidextrous laser controls (constant on, pulsating, off). The laser features a battery saver cut off, which automatically shuts off after 5 minutes.

It is a double action only, hammer fired semi-automatic handgun. While the double action may help reduce accidental discharges, from the new shooters I polled some were uncomfortable with the long trigger pull. The trigger pull appears to be around 8 – 9 pounds. However effectively managing a long double action trigger is something that a few more lessons can easily address. It also features a steel guide rod.

The magazine for the bodyguard 380 has an extended finger tab on the bottom to make the grip more ergonomically pleasing.

The bodyguard 380 performed well on the range. The sighting system was effective and the recoil was what I expected out of a sub 3 inch barrel on a polymer frame. The weapon will also fire with the magazine removed. The slide also locks back on an empty magazine.

Bodyguard 380 Not Good for Novices: Training Suggested

While I am not ready to make the bodyguard 380 my everyday carry weapon, I would move it to the front of the line for pocket pistols. The $399 suggested retail is a good value for the features built into the handgun and explains why dealers are having a hard time keeping them on the shelf.

The bodyguard 380 is more than fit for duty as an ultra concealment or secondary tool. In my opinion it is not a starter handgun and functions best in the hands of an experienced shooter.

The lightweight, small frame, and short sight radius are not features that lend themselves to new or untrained shooters. With the right operator or training the Bodyguard 380 can compliment your defensive capabilities.

In the hands of the untrained operator, it has the potential for a bad experience.

Bodyguard 380 Review

Model:         BODYGUARD® 380
Caliber:         .380 Auto
Capacity:         6+1 Rounds
Barrel Length:     2.75″ / 7.0 cm
Frame Size:         Compact
Action:         Double Action Only (Hammer Fired)
Front Sight:         Stainless Steel
Rear Sight:         Drift Adjustable
Grip:             Polymer
Overall Length:     5.25″ / 13.3 cm
Weight:         11.85 oz / 335.9 g
Frame Material:     Polymer
Material:         Stainless Steel w/Melonite® Finish
Finish: Matte     Black

Purpose: Personal Protection, Professional / Duty
Mark “Six” James is the Executive Director of Panther Protection Services a full service protection agency.

He is a firearms and combative instructor and internationally published author. To find out more about Panther Protection Services visit www.pantherprotectionservices.com or www.facebook.com/pantherprotectionservices

How to Become a Savvy Bodyguard

Doc Rogers, Featured Articles

As a bodyguard you will continue to reap the benefits of your career by working hard to achieve your career goals. However, don’t ever rest on your laurels. Here is a list of savvy bodyguard characteristics that you should develop.

Team Management: Regardless of the size of your bodyguard team, savvy bodyguards should keep their team members motivated and working effectively. To do this you must have the ability to inspire, influence and develop others on the team. If you are the detail leader you should hold goal-setting and evaluation sessions at the end of each shift to discuss specific issues and performance evaluations. These meetings should be geared towards improved performance, building morale, reiterating expectations and encouraging teamwork.

Attention to Detail: If it is worth doing, it’s worth doing thoroughly. Attention to detail is the mark of a savvy bodyguard.

Delegate Bodyguard: Tasks As a savvy bodyguard you should understand that delegation is important because gives you a capacity to handle greater responsibility, empower and motivate the bodyguards who work for you.

Positive Relationships: Savvy bodyguards should develop positive relationships in all areas of the assignment, sharing need-to-know information with others on the team and connecting-well with others for mission success.

First to Wake Up & Last to Sleep: As a savvy bodyguard you should be the first one up every morning and the last one to bed on assignment. This will keep you in the know and well-informed on specific situations, circumstances and events; you will gain more knowledge and increase your intelligence. Savvy bodyguards should be always increasing their insight for sound judgment and improved protection for the principal and the team.

Procedural Knowledge: The savvy bodyguard must have a high degree of procedural knowledge and bodyguard skills. Procedural knowledge and skills reflect the degree to which you are able to accomplish bodyguard tasks on assignment. Performance is achieved when knowing what to do is combined with knowing how to do it; this makes you a savvy bodyguard. The best savvy bodyguards have proven to be students of the profession. Keep learning and studying the game for operational excellence. 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.

Am I too old to be a bodyguard?

Career Advice

The question of the week: An individual recently asked me at 52 was he too old for Bodyguard work? Here was my response.

Too old is a relative concept. Too old for what? It’s all about the individual and the condition he’s in. One operator and a close friend put it this way. I’m 50 and fat thanks to the poor choices I like to blame on my environment. Am I too old for protection work? – NO. Am I too fat? -YES. I don’t think a fit guy can be too old for protection work as long as all his body parts are working and he’s maintained the edge over the years. Me … well, I better step away from the refrigerator really soon.

Research and preparation aimed at identifying potential threats and contingency plans supersede age. Overall, what’s expected is everything it takes to make the life of your client safer. Anticipating needs is a big one— being able to look at a situation and determine what can go wrong and make sure it doesn’t or knowing how to fix a problem once it occurs.

Have a great week

Hucky