Mata-Lećo
05-07-2009, 08:18 AM
Hi, I will try to follow the suggested format the Administrator posted for New Member introductions. Since this site is relatively new, I will make this introduction rather long winded to give you guys something to read.
My name is Jakob Rogers. I am from Texas and live in Costa Rica where I am a Bodyguard for an American Executive that owns many businesses here in San Jose. A 'Bodyguard' is the title my client uses, but my job description would best suit the title: Private Facilitator
I would like to have the credentials to be able to say I was a certified Executive Protection Specialist, but that is not the case. I have met a couple of individuals that were 'run of the mill', 3 day certified Bodyguards and have been left worried for their client.
I also am a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu instructor and currently teach privates and group privates. I have a couple of members of the OIJ (like the Central American FBI) one of which is on the S.W.A.T here and have been able to network well with them.
I got into protection and security work after a fellow BJJ instructor had completed a Robert Oatman program. He suggested I buy Robert Oatman's book on the 'Art of Executive Protection' since the program practically revolved around the book and its content. Around that time, I was contacted by a private art studio in Dallas to do some protection work for a film festival much like the Sundance Film Festival, but it was called, Deep Ellum Film Festival. I was to escort and stay with some of the executives and producers while walking through some "shady" areas from Point A to Point B. Once inside the private art studio, I simply provided a safe atmosphere and kept close tabs on the entrance/exit.
I was excited because I was told by the owner of the Art studio that there was a slight chance that Robert Duvall and Lou Diamond Phillips were going to make an appearance in the studio. This of course, did NOT materialize.
After that experience, I decided that I would like to be affiliated with the Close Protection business. When I asked an acquaintance who worked in the Secret Service about getting a basic Bodyguarding certification he told me that if I was to spend ANY of my money on a certification, it should be directed towards a more serious program such as the Oatman & Associates or another EP firm. His suggestion was for me to apply with an active firm and have them put me through THEIR program so that I can start working immediately WITH THEM. He knew of many guys that went and obtained 3rd party certifications only to have a difficult time locating job opportunities on their own.
After I made the decision to move to Costa Rica 2 years ago, I had planned to stop by 2 North American owned EP firms in the San Jose (Capital) area. My plan was to apply and go from there. When I got down to Costa Rica BOTH of those firms were closed down. After checking out the country, I had decided that I in fact DID want to live here and sought out to find a house to rent by the beach...with no job.
An out of the ordinary circumstance occurred to get me in touch with my current client. It was a rush deal because he had a run-in with a Colombian Gang for the 3rd time within 2 weeks. After my client went to the OIJ and received no immediate help, he set up a 5 month contract with me. I was the second bodyguard he had in a span of a couple of years - I guess he wasn't impressed with the first one. After my contract was up, he re-negotiated my contract with a better salary and asked me to stay on permanently. I have been working now for close to 2 years with him and his family. I also spend a considerable amount of time in close protection with the children when they need to travel to certain parts of the city/red zones for differing events and activities.
I was wanting to become affiliated with an Executive Protection forum so as to network, listen to ideas of certain scenarios and situational problems you guys experience in your day to day duties. In just my two years of working here in Central American I have experienced a wide array of interesting obstacles.
It is very nice to meet all of you. Have a pleasant day,
Jakob
My name is Jakob Rogers. I am from Texas and live in Costa Rica where I am a Bodyguard for an American Executive that owns many businesses here in San Jose. A 'Bodyguard' is the title my client uses, but my job description would best suit the title: Private Facilitator
I would like to have the credentials to be able to say I was a certified Executive Protection Specialist, but that is not the case. I have met a couple of individuals that were 'run of the mill', 3 day certified Bodyguards and have been left worried for their client.
I also am a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu instructor and currently teach privates and group privates. I have a couple of members of the OIJ (like the Central American FBI) one of which is on the S.W.A.T here and have been able to network well with them.
I got into protection and security work after a fellow BJJ instructor had completed a Robert Oatman program. He suggested I buy Robert Oatman's book on the 'Art of Executive Protection' since the program practically revolved around the book and its content. Around that time, I was contacted by a private art studio in Dallas to do some protection work for a film festival much like the Sundance Film Festival, but it was called, Deep Ellum Film Festival. I was to escort and stay with some of the executives and producers while walking through some "shady" areas from Point A to Point B. Once inside the private art studio, I simply provided a safe atmosphere and kept close tabs on the entrance/exit.
I was excited because I was told by the owner of the Art studio that there was a slight chance that Robert Duvall and Lou Diamond Phillips were going to make an appearance in the studio. This of course, did NOT materialize.
After that experience, I decided that I would like to be affiliated with the Close Protection business. When I asked an acquaintance who worked in the Secret Service about getting a basic Bodyguarding certification he told me that if I was to spend ANY of my money on a certification, it should be directed towards a more serious program such as the Oatman & Associates or another EP firm. His suggestion was for me to apply with an active firm and have them put me through THEIR program so that I can start working immediately WITH THEM. He knew of many guys that went and obtained 3rd party certifications only to have a difficult time locating job opportunities on their own.
After I made the decision to move to Costa Rica 2 years ago, I had planned to stop by 2 North American owned EP firms in the San Jose (Capital) area. My plan was to apply and go from there. When I got down to Costa Rica BOTH of those firms were closed down. After checking out the country, I had decided that I in fact DID want to live here and sought out to find a house to rent by the beach...with no job.
An out of the ordinary circumstance occurred to get me in touch with my current client. It was a rush deal because he had a run-in with a Colombian Gang for the 3rd time within 2 weeks. After my client went to the OIJ and received no immediate help, he set up a 5 month contract with me. I was the second bodyguard he had in a span of a couple of years - I guess he wasn't impressed with the first one. After my contract was up, he re-negotiated my contract with a better salary and asked me to stay on permanently. I have been working now for close to 2 years with him and his family. I also spend a considerable amount of time in close protection with the children when they need to travel to certain parts of the city/red zones for differing events and activities.
I was wanting to become affiliated with an Executive Protection forum so as to network, listen to ideas of certain scenarios and situational problems you guys experience in your day to day duties. In just my two years of working here in Central American I have experienced a wide array of interesting obstacles.
It is very nice to meet all of you. Have a pleasant day,
Jakob