Hello to all

[Brian1944]

Hello,

I am new to this site and was referred here by a friend. I am looking for work in the Los Angeles area as I am in Orange County. I am a former Police Officer who is trying to get into the executive protection business. I have worked doing protection work in the military and while on the SWAT team. This is all new to me and so far I have seen how difficult it is to break into. Any suggestions from you guys/ladies would be very helpful. My wife who is also currently looking for part-time work and may be intrested in full time work. She wil be joining this week.

Thanks for anything you have.

Brian Anderson

[usabodyguard]

Brian, welcome to the site! We look forward to seeing you and your wife this weekend at the academy.
This site is getting bigger and in time will be a great resource for agents.
Look forward to your contribution here, as well as your wife!

Welcome again!

David

[Local Talent]

Hello and :welcome:, Brian1944!

Sorry to hear about your difficulties. I've seen a few LEOs struggle to get EP jobs, lately. It's hard for everybody, but things will eventually bounce back. Agencies having cut OT pay and what not have flooded the market with hungry cops. Plus there's all the guys coming back from the sandbox and trying to parlay their experience and training into bodyguarding gigs.

So pull up a chair and make yourself heard: with a little luck, someone here will end up liking what you have to say and offer you a spot.

[Dr Satan]

Sound like a Mr. and Mrs. Smith :p!

Welcome Brian.


Javier

[Lone Wolf]

:welcome: to the forum.. Enjoy some of the entertaining posts that LT does.. Funny sometimes when I read his stuff I feel like Ive been reading a novel.. Not really just messing with ya LT.. But the one big thing that I like about this site is the fact that there is a significant lack of attitude on this site..

[Local Talent]

"Novel"? Hey, now, I make up so little! :p
Sound like a Mr. and Mrs. Smith.
That made me laugh. I remember another member ("TTS") relating how much easier it was for him to take his wife along to do some advance work. :)

[Lone Wolf]

And again LT.. You are right on.. Mr. and Mrs. Smith it is.. Has to be so much fun.. I personally couldnt work for or hardly even with my wife.. A she doesnt much care for what I do.. Thinks its dangerous.. UMMMM.. OK so I guess it isnt as safe as selling hamburgers at Mickey D's or BK.. BUT hey it is what it is...

"Novel"? Hey, now, I make up so little! :p

That made me laugh. I remember another member ("TTS") relating how much easier it was for him to take his wife along to do some advance work. :)

Novels in that you go indepth into some subjects.. HAHA.. I mean... Bottom line LT is I also enjoy a lot of the material and writings that you provide to the forum.. Entertaining and very thought provoking sometimes.. And I often read some of your stuff and well it kinda even gives me a place to start to comment on things that Im not really sure how or what to say either...

[Local Talent]

No worries, Wolf, remember you're talking to a guy who claims to have chronic logorrhea... :D I'm just really glad that somebody is able to get something out of my rants.

As for the wife thing, you know what they say: it's usually wiser to keep family and business separate. Still, it must be nice to have a SO who understands what one does. That's how cops marry cops, I guess. And private security doesn't entail the same stress and stakes as LE, so why not? When Brian's wife joins, maybe they can tell us more about how they make it work. Although just because she's in the biz (LE and EP), it doesn't mean that they work together.

My only suggestion to Brian at this point is to send out as many resumes as possible. Lots of outfits are run by ex-cops (SIS, Andrews, Close Range, Starside, TDA, off the top of my head) and will treat and understand you better. You may be all over the map at first, working one-time gigs (events, escorts, photoshoots, and what not) for several, but if you're as squared away as you sound, that won't last: someone will eventually offer you a steady gig.
You see, lots of guys turn into prima donnas as soon as they score a good job - they are often too full of themselves to realize it, but that usually puts them one good guy's hire away from going back to job hunting. This means that while all doors may seem closed at first, don't lose hope because openings come up all the time for the right people.

Another bit of advice, if I may (and that goes for a lot of us): in this economy, one can't be too picky, especially when starting out. So don't be afraid to take a low-paying job (entry-level EP is about $15-16/hr :(). It will often lead to much better as you prove yourself and openings are created by self-sabotaging idiots. And if it doesn't, you at least got a paycheck for a while and a building block for your resume.
If a company can't come up with a good spot for a decent guy within a few months, it's time to move on and bet on another one.

[apamburn]

Hey brian, welcome. You should send your resume to SIS; they're looking for Personal Protection Specialists and the job listing can be found on yahoo hotjobs. I am currently employed by SIS as a Security Specialist and I have enjoyed my time with them. Definitely not your average security contractor, for sure.

Anyways, welcome and good luck :)

[usabodyguard]

I must say we had the pleasure of "Mr and Mrs Smith" in our training academy this past weekend and let me tell you, Brad and Angelina hold NOTHING compared to these two... both are in phenominal shape, very smart, and I see nothing but great things from these two, and for those of you who personally know me, you know Im not a bullshitter... these two are legit!
We have a drill, pretty much designed to exploit our students, and out of the last several academies - these two actually beat it! (damnit!!)

Great to have you guys out this weekend, we look forward to seeing you both soon!

Overall we had a great class this weekend, thanks to all who attended!

[Local Talent]

Holy smokes, Mr. & Mrs. Brian1944 should put a link to this thread on their resumes! Seriously, that's a hell of an endorsement. :thumbs:

[Brian1944]

apamburn....Thanks, I will look into it. LT.....thanks as well I will look into those as well. I agree that it may be alittle easier. usabodyguards....thanks alot again we had a great time. Great classes. To answer the wife and I working together....we already worked at the same department for along time together. We have been in situations together normal couples probably havent so it makes it alot easier. We worked well together at the classes this weekend, as far as working details together....I would. I know how she works, I know at work her officer safety is outstanding and that shes capable of handling any threats. I know its not that common but if given the chance I would work with her and would recommend her to other to work with as well. Thanks again to all you guys throwing out job ideas and suggestions and to usabodyguards.