US Army to Executive Protection

[Dykhofft]

Hello, my name is Travis Dykhoff and I currently in the process of getting honorably discharged out of the US Army after 8 years of service. During my US Army career in the Military Police Corps I was attached to the US European Command Protective Services Detachments and got a lot of training in the area of Executive Protection. I am currently searching for a Executive Protection job in the Maryland area while my application gets approved for a Government Job I have applied for. Glad to meet you all and hope all is well.

[Mata-Leão]

Welcome to the forum Travis! Please feel free to cruise the other topics and add your input.

Maryland...I think Robert Oatman & Associates is located in Baltimore. They seem to be a very distinguished company in the EP world. I am not sure though - you might have to be affiliated with their 2 day or 7 day program to qualify for employment.

I do know this: A buddy of mine who was former military and also worked for years with the DEA had attended their 2 day course. He responded to one of their online (R.L Oatman & Assoc.) job listings for an EP agent needed in Long Island New York and he was approved by them to interview for the position. It would seem you would be able to produce an impressive resume, just a thought.

Their 7 day program costs $3,375.00 - all inclusive.:eek:

[Dykhofft]

Do you have any idea where I can find their job listings? I checked their website and could not find anything about it. Any assistance would be greatly appreciated.

[Local Talent]

Hello and welcome to this forum, Travis!

I'm of course aware of Oatman's books and training (highly rated), but he's not local for me and I never met anyone working for him. I think you just stumbled into the first roadblock that stops people from trying out for EP: a lot of the better jobs aren't advertised, but filled via connections and word-of-mouth. I have no doubt that Mr. Oatman can get as many agents as he wants to man his operations, w/o having to place an ad.

High-level companies don't have the time to handle resumes and questions from newcomers, so their sites often don't mention any application process.
If you feel that you're qualified, you should email them, expressing your interest in their company and outlining your experience. They'll get back to you if interested. It can work, esp. if they just picked up a contract.

But bear in mind that no matter how much training you got from The Man, to anyone in the private sector you're an unknown quantity until you've been on a few details. Your creds can get you through the door, but don't guarantee at all that you're a good fit for civilian EP work, believe it or not.

So you have nothing to lose by contacting big agencies, but should be ready to have to cut your teeth on more mundane stuff (not talking about working grocery stores parking lots) until your govt job pans out.
And make sure you already have all necessary licensing to operate in the state of your choice - don't expect that an employer will take care of that for you.

Good luck and again, welcome!

[Keetryarima]

I imagine a lot of the course will deal with firearms even though Canadian Close Protection Agents not working as Peace Officers can not be armed

[Bentot56]

Oatman, ESI, EPI, and it seems all others require you go through their course before they will hire you unless you come from USSS or DSS or they know you. In this business as LT related to you have to know people, word of mouth is your biggest marketing tool. Unfortunately, you're constantly having to prove yourself in this business.

Welcome aboard, get as much training and contacts as you can. As was mentioned before training is a continuos evolution no matter how long you've been doing this job.

[Local Talent]

Oatman, ESI, EPI, and it seems all others require you go through their course before they will hire you unless you come from USSS or DSS or they know you.
Gavin DeBecker and Vance do the same thing, if I'm not mistaken.
Unfortunately, you're constantly having to prove yourself in this business.
I'm going through one of those phases myself. It does get old, esp. at my age.
If you stick to one AO, however, you do end up known enough after a few years of paying dues, and it becomes easier to stay busy. It's all about the quality of the network you created and the rep you established.
[...]training is a continuos evolution no matter how long you've been doing this job.
Cannot be overstated, IMO.