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Bodyguard Careers is an informational site with the purpose of providing bodyguards with all the information and tools necessary to succeed in the executive protection industry.

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Staying Fight Focused – Enhancing your firearms training

Featured Articles, Mark Six James

By Mark “Six” James

Today, while at the range, I watched a young man in the lane next to me fire 7 shots in rapid succession at a target 8 yards away and missed with all 7 shots.  I asked him what were you focused on, he replied “I don’t know I was just shooting at the target.”  He was proof positive, “only hits count, you can’t miss fast enough to catch up!”

As firearms instructor, this is an all too familiar occurrence.  Many people go to the range and just fire, fire, fire with little to no focus on situational replication.  Ask yourself when you go to the range what are you practicing on?

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New and Improved Executive Protection Schools E-Book

Announcements, Bodyguard Training, Featured Articles

Over 20 of the Top Executive Protection Schools in the World

EP Schools e-book GraphicTo be successful in most fields you have to have some type of formalized or specialized education under your belt in order to teach you both the basic and advanced skills needed to succeed in a specific job. Whether that job is an auto mechanic, a draftsmen or accountant, those entering into the field of Executive Protection are also required to have some type of formal and advanced training.

Training is a component of Executive Protection that has changed significantly over the past 25 years. There was a time when any large, physically-fit man with an intimidating presence was employed as a Bodyguard—or as is politically correct in 2011—Executive Protection Specialist. This simply is no longer the case. Today, men and women both are working in the field, and training is considered key to succeeding in the field, and physical strength, endurance and agility are only part of the EPS equation.

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In many cases you will have an extremely hard time finding employment, either with a team or as an individual without a formalized education. It is also important to remember that as an Executive Protection Specialist you have to continue on your path for excellence. Just because you graduated from the ABC school of Executive Protection does not mean that your education is complete. It is imperative for you to constantly continue to learn; the old saying “knowledge is power” is true. The more bodyguard training you have the better off you will be and the more successful you will have in the EP industry.

In the interest of providing our visitors with the best information available to succeed in this business, Bodyguard Careers has prepared the Top Executive Protection School list. Brief descriptions of each bodyguard schools are included. Please be sure to visit them to learn firsthand how they can be of help to you. I look forward to sharing in your success. I know you will find as I have, that you are on a career path that is both interesting and profitable.

Sincerely

Harlan (Hucky) Austin

What People are Saying about Top Executive Protection Schools

Hucky,

I just wanted to show my appreciation for your book. I was recently the victim of a well-known scam organization out there that is preying on individuals like myself. My only regret is, I wish I had your book 4 months ago.

Ted, OK

Hucky,

Your e-book has been extremely insightful and helpful. It’s nice to get the thoughts of a true professional, and not someone that is trying to get me to pay thousands of dollars to go to their school.

Pat, CA

Hucky,

I applaud you on putting together a list of legitimate executive protection schools, and making them available in your e-book. This e-book is a must read for anyone seeking acceptable executive protection schools.

Carl, GA

About the Author

Harlan “Hucky” Austin

President of Bodyguards Careers Harlan Austin has acquired over 25 years of field experience as an Executive Protection Specialist, seven years of which he served as Director of Security Services for Paisley Park Productions.

Foremost, in his duties at Paisley Park was assuring the safety and welfare of the musical artist Prince, as well as celebrities with whom Prince collaborated or associated with Lenny Kravitz, Madonna, Carmen Elektra, Sheena Easton, Patti LaBelle and Kim Basinger to name a few.

Over the years, Mr. Austin has served as a Executive Protection Specialist to clients attending high-profile events including the American Music Awards, the Grammy Awards, the Academy Awards, the NBA All-Star Weekend, and various film premieres.

Mr. Austin’s Security career has led to worldwide travels, including security details in Europe, Mexico, North and South America, Asia, Scandinavia, and the Caribbean.

Feedback from Executive Protection School Owners

Icon Services Corporation

“Here’s the thing I like about Harlan Austin, he understands the business. However, unlike so many from the “old school” he doesn’t horde information, instead he shares it. Let’s face it, our industry has a reputation for being pretty tight-lipped and while OPSEC (Operational Security) is a great practice, if we close too many doors, how do people just starting out ever get in? When Harlan told me about my inclusion in the previously edition of his “Top Executive Protection Schools”, based off of the uniqueness of our Celebrity & VIP Protection Course, I was delighted. Not only because I was in it, but rather because I encounter so many people who are attempting to do this work with little or no training, primarily because they don’t know where to go to get it. My recommendation to those interested in our industry–buy the book. The $19.95 invested here may save you thousands elsewhere.”

Elijah J. Shaw, CEO

Dignitary Protection Group LLC

With bodyguard schools popping up all over, prospective students are faced with the daunting task of sorting through all the clutter. Luckily they have a great source in Hucky Austin’s “Top Executive Protection Schools” eBook. His book clears away all that clutter and highlights the best of the best. If you’re in the market for executive protection training, reading this book should be one of your first steps.

Doug Runyon, Managing Partner

Panther Protection Services

As a firearms instructor for the Georgia Board of Private Detectives and Security Agencies and Chief Firearms Instructor for Panther Protection Services, I am constantly asked by my firearms students, what can I do to continue to enhance my skills to help prepare me to become an Executive Protection Specialist. My answer is never stop learning and continue to diversify your training to not only help you build your baseline skills, but also to help you keep your skills contemporary. I applaud Harlan “Hucky” Austin and the entire staff at www.bodyguardcareers.com for not only putting together a great resource eBook “Top Executive Protection Schools”, to help both aspiring and seasoned EP agents to not only build their skills but for establishing the premier online EP resource/website to assist agents in keep their skills contemporary!

Mark “Six” James, Executive Director

Money Back Guarantee

That’s how confident we are that this is a resource that will help you choose the right Executive Protection School.

Download Your Copy Today

Top Executive Protection Schools is ready for your download right now for just $19.95 USD – to secure your copy simply click the ‘download it now’ button below and you’ll be taken to a page where you can make your payment via PayPal or Credit card and get immediate access for download.

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The Poor Man’s Bodyguard

Doc Rogers, Featured Articles

By Doc Rogers

Since almost everyone’s budgets are strained and cutting back is now en vogue, I decided to write the “poor man’s bodyguard guide” for those wishing to get into the industry on a shoestring budget.

Everyone’s cautious about spending and with the economy being down; starting your bodyguard career in this type of environment will be difficult, but not impossible. As bodyguards we know that in tough finical times, people get desperate and the violent crime rate goes up worldwide (shootings, assaults, kidnappings, etc.) sad but true and good for business.

Entering the bodyguard trade doesn’t have to be expensive or tough. With some good basic bodyguard training, you can easily get around the common challenges within the industry. You will be able setup a bodyguard program calculated to decrease the risks against your client. The main goal after your bodyguard training should be building a client base to make a name for yourself and get a professional reputation in the industry.

While your basic bodyguard training should assist you in building notoriety and conveying a certain amount of expertise, as well as providing income from the industry in the long-run, there is a price. You need to scrutinize each bodyguard academy according to its costs in both time and money. Determine whether or not the bodyguard academy will be feasible in terms of time and money constraints for your given situation. Refer to Mr. Harlan “Hucky” Austin’s marvelous book Top Executive Protection Schools for a complete list of bodyguard academies.

[Read more…] about The Poor Man’s Bodyguard

Personal Security Concerns Rank High Among High Net Worth Individuals

Bruce Alexander, Featured Articles

By Bruce Alexander

According to a survey of high net worth individuals (over $500K) personal security is a primary concerns. In a survey conducted by Prince & Associates, concerns about being victimized by acts of violence grew as levels of wealth grew.

These survey results are hardly surprising since these high net worth individuals represent far more attractive targets for criminals than the less wealth. However the more wealthy have the ability to take the necessary precautions to avoid becoming victims of crimes. This makes them far less susceptible to becoming victims of petty crime since they can afford to live an insular lifestyle. Unfortunately it doesn’t stop there.

Unfortunately this also means that they will likely face a much more determined criminal who has planned, and prepared for a criminal attack since their access to the high net worth individual is going to be far less than the less wealthy.

For the Executive Protection specialist, an awareness of this concern should help to understand what’s important to the high net worth protectee and enable you to respond to those concerns. From another perspective, it also points to employment and business opportunities for those Executive Protection specialists who provide protective services to the high net worth community. But be forewarned.

These individuals did not get this way by throwing their money away. Just because they can afford more doesn’t mean they will spend more or spend recklessly. Indeed, my experience is that high net worth individuals expect a certain level of performance and tend to be less forgiving when you don’t provide it.

Conversely don’t expect to have many “do-overs,” since there is no shortage of service providers for the higher end of the income spectrum. As with anything, your reward will be proportional to the level of service you provide.

Close Quarter Combat Skills For Executive Protection

Bruce Alexander, Featured Articles

By Bruce Alexander

I’m constantly on the lookout for tactical concepts that have applicability to Executive Protection. A while back I discussed Richard Nance’s “Winning in The Kill Zone” as a worthwhile read for Executive Protection. I see lots of similarity and applicability in Kevin Davis’ article “The Combat Draw Stroke.” Like Richard Nance, Kevin Davis focuses on a close range tactical application which when analyzed, has a direct applicability to Executive Protection. I won’t try and rewrite the entire article for you since Mr. Davis does a superb job of getting the point across (therefore no need for me to muck it up with my two cents) but here’s where I see the Combat Draw Stroke as applicable for the Executive Protection community:

First, quick on target. With a close-in threat, and the very real possibility of multiple assailants, quick on target is a must for Executive Protection. Not that it’s any less important for anyone else, but the Executive Protection specialist usually does not have the ability to seek cover, or buy time or space by issuing commands during an assault on a principal (AOP). As I indicated in one of my earlier postings, the presence of a homicide bomber (assuming he/she has been detected) doesn’t allow much time or to assess multiple options before acting. Therefore, quick on target is a must for Executive Protection.

Second, response to spontaneous attacks. Let’s face it, in a crowd situation, your ability to adequately scan hands and demeanor is seriously stressed. Therefore the Executive Protection specialist must expect to confront a spontaneous attack. The standard Law Enforcement approach to escalation of force commensurate with the escalation of the threat, is usually not an option. Therefore the ability to draw in response to a spontaneous attack is paramount.

Third, draw and shoot with one hand. As I read this article I thought about the times during an Executive Protection mission that shooting with one hand might be a very real consideration during an AOP. I came to the conclusion, more often than not. One hand shooting takes on a real possibility when you start to consider the times we can be deprived of the ability to use two handed shooting given the nature of the Executive Protection assignment. One hand shooting is another one of those tactics that we must be ready to do.

Anyway, there are those who are far more skilled at this than I am but for me, this article was exceptionally enlightening.

Driving Considerations For Executive Protection

Bruce Alexander, Featured Articles

By Bruce Alexander

I thought this article by Steve Ashley was as much applicable to the Executive Protection community as it is to the patrol function in Law Enforcement. With the high profile accident of Governor Corzine and the spotlight on Executive Protection and Executive Protection specific driving skills, Mr. Ashley’s reminder that driving skills are perishable skills is equally true for the Executive Protection community.

I have also been thinking about those agencies and organizations with protective details that are not staffed full time with Executive Protection agents who have to transition from one mind set to another. There is another set of challenges there which should be addressed in terms of training and policy.

We have at least three considerations when it comes to Executive Protection specific driving. First, we have the motorcade portion which calls for certain skills. Second, we have the emergency driving aspect which is performed during an attack and Third, we have accident avoidance or safety considerations which is performed in the motorcade formation as well as in response to a threat/attack.

One lesson learned from the Corzine incident, is that the Executive Protection community must consider driving on the same par as firearms or protective tactics. It’s not only the high speed low-drag stuff that will get us into trouble. It’s also the mundane (or what is perceived as mundane) such as accident avoidance and motorcade discipline. We can’t afford to be complacent with the ordinary.

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