Doc Rogers

By Doc Rogers

Not working as regularly as you once did in the industry? You are an established professional one that clients can count on, so why are they taking a chance on new EP agents?

There are many reasons and obstacles for not working as regularly as you one have, some of the common reasons are:

• You are too expensive and they no longer have a need for a high-earning, successful agent (sad but sometimes true).

• A person in a position of power on the EP team suggested using lesser-known “local” talent on EP projects.

• An agent on the EP team with less experience may have felt a little insure working with seasoned veterans, so he suggested a new agent under the guise of “financial savings” for the team.
[Read more…] about Re-stimulate Your EP Career

Looking for the right Executive Protection School?  The e-book Top Executive Protection Schools,

has over 20 of the best schools in the world. Download Your Copy Today!

By Doc Rogers

Sure halls and walls duty is at the bottom of the EP food chain. There’s no glamour, excitement, no fame or recognition (you are in the wrong business it this is your desire). There are only the empty halls and blank walls looking at you.  However, it does provide golden opportunities for new bodyguards. Detail leaders are usually looking for new bodyguards to fill open halls and walls positions.

Let’s examine how to be a successful halls and walls guy:
Professionalism – Show the competence and skill expected of a professional. When the client or EP team members are in your presence stand up and look alert. If you want to be taken seriously in business, you have to dress the part; suit, tie and highly polished shoes. Be presentable in your walk and talk as well.

Discipline – Obey rules and code of behavior of a halls and walls agent. This means staying alert your entire shift and never leaving the client’s door unguarded.

[Read more…] about Halls and Walls Duty

Looking for the right Executive Protection School?  The e-book Top Executive Protection Schools, has over 20 of the best schools in the world. Download Your Copy Today!

By Doc Rogers

EP is a vastly rewarding industry; however you must develop some unique abilities in order to reach the pinnacle of success. “But I’m a top graduate of the best EP academy in the country; I don’t need to develop anymore abilities.” Yes, that’s what they all say, upon graduation all is right in the world and the world appears to be your oyster. Until the first international EP detail comes in.

On your first international EP assignment you will be most likely assigned to conduct advance work and receive the client and join the EP team upon arrival at the airport. With a freshly issued passport in hand you leave the nest and head off to some over crowed, grim, dirty and dangerous country.

It’s your job to formulate the advance package (work product) to facilitate secure and smooth movement of the client upon arrival from Point A to Point B and you have only two days to complete your work. Whoever said the job of a bodyguard was easy? Certainly not I.

The following is an eleven-point checklist which the new EP graduates would do well to keep in mind when conducting international advances:
[Read more…] about The Road Ahead

By Doc Rogers

EP is a fiercely competitive industry; it demands smart and tough people to carry out duties worldwide in a straightforward, businesslike manner. Most importantly those who hire EP professionals want someone they can trust and depended upon. People who will devote time and care to each EP project to ensure client safety.

If you are new to the industry you have one thing in your favor, new EP talent is the lifeblood of the business. When halls and walls agents get promoted to the close protection team new slots open up. Halls and walls are where many beginners in the EP trade start out; paying their dues before moving up the EP career ladder.

[Read more…] about The Nuts-and-Bolts of Finding Work

By Doc Rogers

Many individuals entering the executive protection industry have only one talent or area of expertise and think that this will be enough to sustain their careers over the long haul.  A performing pony at a circus that knows only one trick does not attract the crowds or keep the audience attention. Let this be a warning to others not to fall into this trap.  Do not place limitations on yourself by excelling in just one area of the EP trade.

By all means specialize in the area of the trade that interests you the most; advance work, protective surveillance, counter-surveillance, close-protection or security driving. But try not to become noteworthy for only a single achievement or skill in the industry. Being a one-trick pony will limit your earning potential and reduce the kind of EP assignments you get offered; because your EP skill is something that can only be used for one very specific application. Some suggestions on how to avoid the one-trick pony syndrome is to learn about:

Threat assessment methodology – Learning the full spectrum of potential threats against your clients.

[Read more…] about Don’t Be A One-Trick Pony

By Doc Rogers

EP Assessment in Asian Countries

Many Western companies and affluent individuals are venturing out to Asia in search of new business opportunities. As professional bodyguards traveling with clients going to Asia, we may be required to obtain the services of indigenous EP and security personnel. This could include additional bodyguards, hall and wall staff and /or security drivers.  It should be the responsibility of the advance team to setup interviews to ensure that the indigenous personnel are physically capable of performing their essential duties and speak good English. Below is an assortment of capabilities and what to expect from the general EP and security population within the countries listed.

CHINA – EP agents in Beijing and Shanghai employ professional tactics; they are usually very well trained, organized and disciplined.  Although EP is not armed, their equipment is in immaculate condition. As a whole EP personnel in Beijing and Shanghai are not susceptible to bribery and have high morale. The predominant language spoken by EP personnel is basically Mandarin in the north and Cantonese in the south, however only 50 percent of the personnel on local EP teams speak English.

INDIA – Generally EP agents in India employ tactics that are marginally effective, there are a few that handle themselves with professionalism and effectiveness but as a whole EP standards are often lower than internationally acceptable. As a rule the EP personnel are not armed and the equipment they do utilize suffers from being worn. EP tactics are centered on being high-profile and teams do not try to blend into the local populace. Personnel are not susceptible to bribery and have high morale. The predominant language spoken by EP personnel is Hindi and English and most personnel have good English capabilities in India.

INDONESIA – EP in Jakarta is made up of trained and equipped personnel; however capabilities still lag behind advance world levels. There is normally a lack of integrated SOPs and this impedes operational control and coordination on assignments. Frequently EP agents do not work together, in concert, as a team. Emphasis is placed on counter-offensive methods with unsound contingency planning. Some personnel are susceptible to bribery, but as a whole have high morale. Only work with trusted vetted EP and security driver contractors in Indonesia. The predominant language spoken by EP personnel is Bahasa Indonesian and English and most EP personnel have good English capabilities in Jakarta.

[Read more…] about EP Assessment in Asian Countries