new member

[Jimmy2010]

Hello, my name is Jawad,I live in pittsburgh,pa I work as a truck driver, I came to USA 2 years ago and I am thinking to become A bodyguard in the nearest future. if you don't mind I would like to know about the duty of the bodyguard and if I got some questions I hope to find answers to them, until then be safe.

thanks

''' it does not matter if you were a criminal or a cop, what matters is, when you are facing a loaded gun what's the difference ''' Jawad

[Geo]

Hey jimmy,
Welcome. There are many people on here with a lot of experience. Post your stuff. I am sure you will get all your questions answered.

[Local Talent]

:welcome: to you, Jimmy2010! A lot of information geared towards newcomers to the profession has already been posted, so I strongly recommend that you peruse this forum extensively. You should get a decent grip on what we do and how we do it.
There are also other resources (sites, books, movies) that you can use to do some homework and come to a better understanding.

My question to you is: why? This may be the most important factor in determining whether you're suited for this job. What draws you to it? What makes you think that this could be a career for you?
Let us know a little more and, as Geo said, we'll gladly try to answer any questions you may have. :)

[Lone Wolf]

:welcome: to the forums... Please feel free to look around read ask questions and participate in any discussions you would like

[Jimmy2010]

Hi LT,

with my long backdround in the martial arts, i've always felt that protecting others would be something i would want to do.

Jawad originally from Morocco
17 years of experience in martial artS
2000-2006 security driver

[Local Talent]

That makes sense, Jimmy2010. Thanks for the bit of background. It's always easier to advise people when we know where they're coming from.

[Dr Satan]

From the movie Die Hard; "Welcome to the party, pal.":)

[Local Talent]

Note to Dr Satan: love the sig line, sir! :D
I'm a team player and know to TOFTT, that we're in "the service industry", and all that, but as I'm getting older I often ask myself, what good are you when you're gone (from the detail, life)? Some people give me strange looks when I say that #1 comes first, but it's true.

[Dr Satan]

LoL. Thanks, bro.:D

[Lone Wolf]

Note to Dr Satan: love the sig line, sir! :D
I'm a team player and know to TOFTT, that we're in "the service industry", and all that, but as I'm getting older I often ask myself, what good are you when you're gone (from the detail, life)? Some people give me strange looks when I say that #1 comes first, but it's true.


When your gone from the detail life you move into the training life...

[Jimmy2010]

1 I still have broken english when I speak to people( but they do understand me and I do understand them) would that be a problem in this Job?

2 could you get a bad days from your client while you are protecting Him/Her?

thanks

[Local Talent]

Yes and no, I think. You gotta realize that in this line of work, communication, sometimes over the phone or radio, can be vital.
We've all encountered security guards with strong accents (a lot of immigrants take this job), and that's an issue for them while interacting with the public or emergency personnel, not to mention their clients and co-workers... but at our level?
You'll find that when people shell out big $$$ for service, they expect the best, so most guys are pretty polished and every way. Accents are fine, but "broken English" can be a problem.
Our image is important because we cater to an elite for whom status is everything.

Now this being said... It depends on how bad your English is. As long as people understand you, it shouldn't be so problematic. And you'll realize that in metropolitan areas, most "experts", be they heart surgeons or butlers (;))are from another part of the world. The rich know this and can be tolerant of some communication limitations. But you better be on top of your game, then.
Most bodyguards I've known (and I met quite a few) are articulate people who could pass for business folks if needed.
Now if you're security driver for a traveling jeweller, for example language won't be so important.

Wolf, I wasn't clear, brother: I meant gone from the detail or from life (because you didn't take care of yourself enough). They say there is no "I" in Team, but without any I's left, there is no team.

[Jimmy2010]

Hello, my name is Jawad,I live in pittsburgh,pa I work as a truck driver, I came to USA 2 years ago and I am thinking to become A bodyguard in the nearest future. if you don't mind I would like to know about the duty of the bodyguard and if I got some questions I hope to find answers to them, until then be safe.

thanks



(it does not matter if you were a criminal or a cop, what matters is, when you are facing a loaded gun what's the difference) '' Jawad''

[Jimmy2010]

Hello, my name is Jawad,I live in pittsburgh,pa I work as a truck driver, I came to USA 2 years ago and I am thinking to become A bodyguard in the nearest future. if you don't mind I would like to know about the duty of the bodyguard and if I got some questions I hope to find answers to them, until then be safe.

thanks

''' it does not matter if you were a criminal or cop, what matters is, when you are facing a loaded gun what's the difference''' Jawad

[Dhernandez2319]

To the new guys, I say Welcome. I just goined myself and Have had a good time on the forum. LT Lone Wolf and Dr. Satan I feel good about this site. Thank you for building it and allowing me to join.

[Local Talent]

''' it does not matter if you were a criminal or cop, what matters is, when you are facing a loaded gun what's the difference'''
I'm not sure I understand, but if you mean that language skills are secondary to courage or fighting skills, you may be slightly mistaken.
In 20 years, I faced one gun (I assume loaded, since all guns are, right?), one metal pipe, and one knife, period. I did get into quite a few fights with combative suspects, however.
But you learn that verbal judo, command presence, and people skills carry the day in an overwhelming number of situations. So struggling to convey your message clearly due to a poor command of the language can cost you.

Private security at EP level is about winning fights by avoiding them in the first place, as Sun Tzu advised.
Combat skills therefore come into play only when all else failed.
Expect to have to communicate with people a lot more than engaging them physically.

[Jimmy2010]

you are right, i'm sure i'm gonna learn a lot from you Guys before attending any school.

I'm not sure I understand, but if you mean that language skills are secondary to courage or fighting skills, you may be slightly mistaken.
In 20 years, I faced one gun (I assume loaded, since all guns are, right?), one metal pipe, and one knife, period. I did get into quite a few fights with combative suspects, however.
But you learn that verbal judo, command presence, and people skills carry the day in an overwhelming number of situations. So struggling to convey your message clearly due to a poor command of the language can cost you.

Private security at EP level is about winning fights by avoiding them in the first place, as Sun Tzu advised.
Combat skills therefore come into play only when all else failed.
Expect to have to communicate with people a lot more than engaging them physically.

[Jimmy2010]

I will be attending Joe lasorsa bodyguarding school in florida in few months, what's your opinion of this school?

do these schools find a job for you after graduation or you are on your own?

[Local Talent]

I've heard of LaSorsa, but don't know anyone who went there. We have a few floridians here who might have feedback, however.
As far as job placement, this has already been discussed here, but I can't locate it right now. It's simply not the job of a training school to find jobs, even if some use this in their advertisement, so don't be too hopeful.
BUT, if you attend a class put together by an EP company (which is LaSorsa's case), THEN you stand a chance to parlay your training into a job.
Not that there's any guarantees, but it will be up to you to impress them so much that they'll want to use you on assignments.

Once you graduate, please give us your impressions on the course, OK?

[Lone Wolf]

Like LT I have been in this industry both security and EP work for what seems like forever. I have a very wide array of skills and unfortunately have been on the wrong end of a gun a couple of times two many.. Does it change what I do.. Absolutely not.. it just makes me strive to be better at what I do.. At this point and time in my life, Im thinking about slowing down.. the body says hell yeah.. The mind.. NOT ON YOUR LIFE.. So I guess I will keep going until I really get tired.. I love this kind of work.

My background former military corrections and so on.. Have been in the security industry for over 25 years with about 10 of those being a paramedic as well. I have extensive weapons training.. (what I thought was a great skill to achieve) well let me tell you this you cant really use those kinds of skills in this job.. The best weapon that you can have and utilize is free believe it or not...

That weapon is:

THE MIND... although you will more than likely carry various weapons for EP work, the most important thing is being able to communicate as well.. Knowing what your partner is going to do before he does it is an awesome skill.. I have only experienced that a few times throughout my career.. One being in the military.

[Local Talent]

Amen, Wolf. :cool:

Your last point on powers of perception can't be overstated, I think. We have to read people well, be they potential threats, clients, or teammates. Unfortunately, like most highly desirable traits for EP work, it's not something that can easily be taught in a class. It should be part of the person's makeup and constantly honed on (and off) the job.

Absence of ego is something else I personally highly value in people, and especially in our ultra-macho business. Some guys are very good and superbly qualified, but near-impossible to work with because of their personality.

All different ways of saying that there's more to a good EP agent than a solid resume and a few certs. A lot more.

[Lone Wolf]

As LT said Ego is a big killer in this business...

The clients that I have worked for in the past some high profile some nothing more than thinking that they were in danger...

Bottom line is that EGO will take you out of a position faster than almost anything else.

Every EP gig I work, my attitude is Im just a guy here to do a good job and protect my principle or any other person designated...

I dont go around telling people that I am in the EP business... Even my ex thinks that I am a security guard.. Nothing more... None of them really knew what I did other than I would frequently have to travel.. I explained it to them that it was the nature of the type of security work I did.. Nothing more than that.. They asked about uniforms, plain and simple they werent required...

My main objective of this was not just about quelling my EGO for what I did, but also to protect my family.