In the company of Professionals

[Ghost Dog]

Hello to all of this forum. I'm honored to be amongst you. My name is Troy (Ghost Dog) 38 6'3" 210 pnds. with 4 yrs. military and 4 years of personal bodyguard service to a very good family in Japan. I'm back now and finding out about the certs and classes I must take to become apart of the field here in the U.S. I live in Southern California and glad to view all of your threads to become informed and aware of what it takes. Hope to meet you all someday as fellow professionals and friends in the field. Your insight is appreciated!!:D

[usabodyguard]

Troy, welcome to the forums. I would like to talk to you about Japan as I am going there in a week for the first time. You are a good sized guy, did they react to your size when you were out in public? I am 6'8" 295 lbs I am curious to know what to expect, thanks! BTW I am going to Tokyo and the to Sendai, I will be there for a week - mostly a pleasure trip with a Japanese TV show I am going to be featured on.
Once again, welcome to the site.

[Dr Satan]

Freaking repo man! A friend of mine wanted me to be a repo/security for him :D. Welcome, man!

[Geo]

welcome ghost dog. i'm also in Ca.

[Falcon]

Welcome Ghost! I've been to Japan 3 times and I loved it. Very different culture there though, that's for sure.

[Local Talent]

And another hearty :welcome: to you, Ghost Dog!
You can refer to this old thread for CA requirements: http://www.socalbodyguards.com/forum/showthread.php?t=85.
Specifically for CA (and the following, to the exception of #3, being valid only in CA):
Required:
1. Guard Card
Advised:
2. Exposed Firearms permit
3. 1st Aid/CPR/AED certs
4. Pepper Spray cert
Highly desirable:
5. CCW permit

Other states have their own requirements. To my knowledge, there is no national cert recognized throughout the US (except for LEOs - see HR218).

[Ghost Dog]

Your height and weight will bring alot of attention but have fun with it! Imean really ham it up over there you never know who may be watching!! However in sendai area you should be okay since their are lots of foreigners in Tokyo, Sendai, Yokohama areas. Now the bad news, watch your head because if you enter any restaurants, malls, or trains. I had trouble sometimes and also practice sitting on a pillow on the floor with no back support. Also thanks Dr. Satan, I had to get my adrenaline rush somewhere..!!

[Clearcut]

Welcome G-Dog,

Spent 3 years in Japam myself with da military...loved it. Of, course the yen was better then than now. Welcome aboard.

[Ghost Dog]

Thanks Clear, but I miss the Sushi and those damn noodle shops!!

[Lone Wolf]

:welcome: GhostDog.. Welcome to the forum.. I have not had the opportunity to travel to Japan but I can tell you it is a place that I would like to go some day..

[SonnyPI]

This is going to date me but it is related to Japan.

All GREAT advice Ghost Dog!

I started my martial arts training in the early 60's. Mostly Japanese karate and ju-jitsu styles. In "63 I added Judo to my repertoire. Subsequently the school/ Sensei was invited to provide a Judo demonstration at the Japanese Pavilion at the 1964-65 New York Worlds Fair. I was fortunate to be included in that demonstration likely due to my mature subdued Brooklyn 'tude.

After the fair was over my parents were so very cool and permitted me to travel to Japan where I continued my Judo training for about 6 months. Although only 15, 5'7 and 125 pounds, but with an ego as big as your 6'8" USABODYGUARD I was immediately brought down to earth and focus.

Since then over the years for a number of reasons I have returned to Japan and other Asian countries.

Still prefer my sushi barbecued, lol or not at all!

More to come on Japan as my brain housing group recollects.
Cordially, Sonny