Getting Started

[chiggins83187]

I searched the forum, but couldn't find exactly what I was looking for...
So either a( i didn't look hard enough or b( it's not here.

What I am wanting to know is what I can do now to get myself in a position as an appealing applicant in EP. If you read my intro thread, I'm still in college, and hoping to graduate in December '10 or May '11.

I work in private security right now, but our company is small, so we don't get EP type jobs very often. I've only worked one job where it was actually 'protecting' someone, but it only consisted of sitting outside her house to make sure a disgruntled ex-employee didn't follow through w/ threats to her life.

What kind of backgrounds did you all have before your first EP gig? I'm sure military and LE is always a plus. Are they "requirements"? If I don't go those routes, what else could I potentially use to makeup for that?

Also for reference, my dream job would be in DSS. But figured I'd need some experience with a rich person/family/company first.

Thanks for any advice.

Jordan

[Geo]

Hey Jordan,
Like most of the seasoned guys on here. They will tell you to get some training. There is a great school offered on this site. There are many other great and no b/s schools out there and everyone on here will be more than willing to help you on that. Yes does advanced training, military, law enforcement training help?. Of course it does. Is it a must in in this business?, no. But to make yourself stand out from the rest of the crowd you should at least attend a great training program. For me my main job is in law enforcement.. The ep stuff is a an off duty career. Besides all the on the job training i have received, I have also attended various other training schools. Because ep stuff especially in the civilian world is very different from anything you will ever do. The last thing a client wants is an over zealous bodyguard who will pose a liability issue for them so they end up on TMZ. Post your questions. Everyone on the site have a lot to offer in experience, training and knowledge. all the best Geo

[Lone Wolf]

I have to agree with LT on this one.. Skills are very important... Getting an education is important as well... The thing about this career is that you do have to make yourself stand heads above others you are competing with for the job..

I had a gig in Palm Beach were I worked for the family for over a year, it was a very abusive situation by the principle, him his wife and entire family treated every one of the EP staff like crap.. Man I was so glad to get out of that job..

So the main thing to realize is that you dont want to be high profile, and that generally speaking from most of my experience people will treat you like crap in the industry, and if its not the principle the agency is on you about things as well..

Not all jobs are like this but I have worked some very high profile people and had really good times as well as some very bad ones as well..

[Local Talent]

Wolf, you agree with me before I even post, brother! Awesome: we have officially reached the stage where we can read each other's mind! :D

Seriously, all good points made above, of course.

First of all, for those planning on working for The Man (DSS, USSS, etc.), you have to contact the given agency and see what the requirements are. They are usually about educational, and sometimes military backgrounds. Any outside professional experience such as private security may, or may not, be considered when they look at applicants, but the agency will train you their way unless it's a lateral transfer. So I wouldn't waste time like those guys who think that working armored transport prepares them for a LE career. Just apply and apply again if necessary (and as long as you have the required degrees).

Then as far as background requirements for EP work, I don't think there are any. It depends on how high you want to go, though. Because past a certain level, some certs and training courses become mandatory. Many corporate gigs mandate LE background, for example, or nationally-known EP school graduation.

Now the two typical routes are LE and military. These guys get nationally-recognized training, including some in protective work at times, and LEOs can carry throughout the country, which makes them highly desirable.
A number of people are simply civvies, usually coming from private security, who acquired EP-related training on their own or on the job and worked their way up the ladder (IME, and if they are quality individuals, they usually make the most well-rounded agents).
Finally, there's all kinds of ways to end up working EP, from bouncing to bounty hunting. You'll meet paramedics, PIs and professional athletes (especially martial artists) too.

One easy way to get started and gain some experience is to join an entry-level company. Some rookie agents I've met had little more than a guard card (CA) and ended up working high-profile celeb details that are notorious revolving doors. Just to show you that you never know.
Just don't forget that mistakes, in our line of work, can be very costly and publicized, so even if there's a way in for the greenhorns, acquiring proper training ASAP should be a priority for anyone wishing to last.

[usabodyguard]

Lone Wolf I think you are referring to GEO.... LT has not (yet) chimed in on this!

Domestic EP is a beast in itself... every client is different, and every situation you will encounter is different. With that being said, LEO - Military - EP Training all add to your repertior... with EP training being very important, regardless of your background.
Do your homework, talk to former students, evaluate all of the options when choosing an EP school. Regardless of the fact that I run an EP school, there are a handful of quality programs out there, I myself have attended many in the past... make sure you speak to someone on the phone, have a list of questions ahead of time, and understand if it seems too good to be true - i.e. guaranteed job placement, is a telltale sign of a BS program. No one can outright promise a job to anyone without due diligence.

One last note - I inform everyone who calls this simple but true fact -

To be successful in the EP industry you have to have Common Sense and a strong work ethic, without these, all of the training in the world wont help you.

[usabodyguard]

hey! you chimed in whilst I was slowing writing my response... damn you! hahaha... but you make good points!

[Lone Wolf]

Lone Wolf I think you are referring to GEO.... LT has not (yet) chimed in on this!

Domestic EP is a beast in itself... every client is different, and every situation you will encounter is different. With that being said, LEO - Military - EP Training all add to your repertior... with EP training being very important, regardless of your background.
Do your homework, talk to former students, evaluate all of the options when choosing an EP school. Regardless of the fact that I run an EP school, there are a handful of quality programs out there, I myself have attended many in the past... make sure you speak to someone on the phone, have a list of questions ahead of time, and understand if it seems too good to be true - i.e. guaranteed job placement, is a telltale sign of a BS program. No one can outright promise a job to anyone without due diligence.

One last note - I inform everyone who calls this simple but true fact -

To be successful in the EP industry you have to have Common Sense and a strong work ethic, without these, all of the training in the world wont help you.

No I wasnt refering to anyone or specific agency, I have seen this all to often from many different companies and individuals...

You are correct though in your statement about Common Sense and strong work ethic.. There isnt alot of either of those left out in the general market in todays society...

[Dhernandez2319]

You know what's really killing me, it's not that we all have been here and done that it's the fact that sometimes guys get the really great jobs and they don't have a clue what to do. I am a Graduate of E.S.I., this took a while to do but I did it. I have my credentual, and all that California has to ofer in the way of permits, and I'm an NRA instructor just like a few of you. And yet I find it hard to find a job because I don't have the Military or law enforcement training. That's the hard part. I need, in the county and city of Los Angeles , a California Conseal Weapons Permit. This is almost imposible to get. Yet there are guys protection elite A list stars with none of my qualifications.....Sucks to me I guess. Oh and some of the EP schools offer work only if you take their course, regardless of your quilifications. I won't name the schools but they are listed here. It's hard but I've been through worse.
For the new guys, Don't let anything or anyone tell you you can't do it. You have to ask yourself, "Did you chose this career or did the career chose you?" When you answer that you'll be doing fine. Well just remeber if it was easy everyone would be doing it.

[Clearcut]

Not to beat a dead horse but training is key. As I search for jobs most list, CPS Training, Military and/or LE experience and some education. The education is important because a client wants someone who is able to think through a situation and react at the same time versus someone who just reacts with brut force. The liability from the is great and one miss step could put them in harms way. The Military and LE training prepares the EPA for stressful situations and they train them how to think through and to react to a situation in seconds. Employers want to know that you won't fall apart on them if you have to use force or deadly force and have the LE or Military experience sets them at ease.

For all Those looking for an EP Newbie I have Military experience (21 Years) LE (16 years in the trenches---Oakland, CA), education (Masters) and a CCW. I am looking for that P/T or on-call gig.

[Geo]

i think Clearcut and others on the site make a great point. Liability is a huge factor with any company and high end clients. They don't want bad press or to wind up on the news. As far as military or le. yes it helps. But one of the guys I work with has neither and has been in the ep (high end ep) for over 30 years. He has never laid a hand on anyone in all that time. So sometimes being in the right place at the right time does ring true.

For all you non-le out there who thinks ccw is a must. You may want to think about becoming a reserve officer if your in Ca. Many smaller departments have great reserve programs. I have a few non-ep friends who are reserves. They have the status as well as the ccw stuff. Also have a few co-workers who are in ep full time that went this route. Every dept is different but usually the requirement is 2-3 days a month on patrol. If you have a special skill like computers stuff like that these depts love it. I don't list the depts that have reserve programs because i'm not sure where everyone is located. all the best geo

[Lone Wolf]

Military and LE are NOT requirements for this type of work.. HOWEVER it doesnt hurt.... EP Schools are of benefit to alot of people out there and yes alot of companies wont hire you unless you actually take their class. I think its like that all over the world... So dont give up because you dont have the military or LE background it just means that it will take a little more work to get to the top of the gravy train... So to speak...

[Local Talent]

A favorite quote of mine: "Always listen to the experts. They'll tell you what can't be done and why. Then do it." (Robert Heinlein)

Rule #1: there are no rules. ;)

What's emerging from this thread is that there are many ways to get into EP and no guarantees, as is the case in many other professions. The individual himself and his drive make all the difference.
Of course, the less things you have going for you (military, LE, CCW, EP training, physical size, etc.), the harder it gets.

[chiggins83187]

Thanks for all of the input. I knew this would be a good forum! I am hopefully graduating in December, so I need to figure out what I want to do when I get out. I've been thinking a lot about CBP lately. I was on their website tonight and saw that they even have Special Response Teams and tactical units, which require 2-3 years as a regular agent before applying. So, I'm thinking doing border patrol for 2-3 years (or longer possibly) and then probably apply simultaneously to DSS and to the CBP tactical teams. Anyway, I figure CBP would be a good background, and is probably an agency that would be less concerned about someone's experience when hiring.

Thanks again for all of your advice!

Chiggins

[Lone Wolf]

Thats what the forum is all about....

[Dhernandez2319]

Thanks guys, It just upsetting when you go through the training and nothing materializes. I've been at this for about 16 years and spending lots of money on training and other tools of the trade but all I've gotten are promises that never come....The story of the industry. Well I haven't given up, I've just had a set back that has really started to burn my butt. Having said that in Los Angeles it is next to impossible to get a CCW. I'd have to move to the surronding counties to do so. This is for the newbee's: In 16 years I've sweat, bleed and dragged my a$$ out from the bottom and I still do it everyday. In 20 years it just has made me reallize that you want something bad your going to have to do the same. This isn't easy, and filled with glamour, sometimes you get dirty and never step out into the spot light...But the rewards are pure and honorable the best feeling in the world. So don't give up on find work, if it gets to hard, work harder. Our work is never done.

[chiggins83187]

This isn't easy, and filled with glamour, sometimes you get dirty and never step out into the spot light...But the rewards are pure and honorable the best feeling in the world.

Whenever I have talked to someone in EP, especially when I went and talked to DSS, this is pretty much what they've told me. And I think this is what draws me to the business. I don't care about being on the front page of People or USA Today standing in front of someone important, I just want the "honor" and personal rewards of doing it, and knowing that the job matters.

[Dhernandez2319]

This is for evryone to watch out for these types of private message. This very important. I have recieved 2 private messages about Viruses on my computer. I know they are fishing for info or just to install a usless anti-viruse. One came from Aleesia614 and the other from jeromee604. Both have sent me private messages about my pc's vulnerability. They are also banned from your site. But I still get them. here and at my aol account. I have to spam you in order not to open these e-mails. What do you want me to do? Thanks DH