Private Bodyguard Training
Whether protecting the president of the United States or the president of a multinational corporation, bodyguards are a fact of life for many dignitaries and businesspeople around the globe. In today’s volatile world, the need for bodyguards has led to a massive training industry, with hundreds of businesses worldwide instructing private individuals on how to become a bodyguard. Training to become a bodyguard requires an intense, demanding commitment that can lead to a lucrative but potentially dangerous career.
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Background
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Training for private bodyguards is a relatively new phenomenon, with one of the oldest companies being the International Bodyguard Association, which was formed in 1957 by Major Lucien Victor Ott, a former commando with the French military. Since 2002, an International Bodyguard Championship has been held annually in Slovakia to test the skills of the world’s best four-person bodyguard teams. During this year’s World Cup soccer competition being held in South Africa, an estimated 5,000 bodyguards were utilized to ensure security, according to an article published by Radio Netherlands Worldwide.
Training
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Usually carried out by former bodyguards or military special forces operatives, training to become a bodyguard will cover basics such as evasive driving, surveillance, situational awareness, weapon control and use, as well as live fire training. You will be placed in real-world situations that will simulate the stress and potential danger that you could encounter as a bodyguard. Course syllabuses vary by company, but many offer distance learning packages for the theoretical side of the training program, followed by a residential training course that can last 14 days or more.
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Certification
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As there is no standardized certification for the bodyguard industry, it is recommended that you conduct thorough research of all potential training companies before committing to a course. It is important to check and verify the trainers' certifications and past training, as well as ensuring that the training courses provided are approved and regulated by your state’s department of education.
Employment
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Although they offer no guarantee of employment, some training companies either own or partner with other companies that provide employment to bodyguards through real-world deployment. These companies will often recruit directly from training courses if entry positions are available. Employment opportunities will vary, and depend on your previous experience and the level of training that you receive. While there are no figures available for what you can expect your salary to be, many training companies describe the pay as “lucrative.”
Dangers
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The image of the bodyguard “taking a bullet” for a client is a myth perpetrated by movies and the media, according to Tom Savage, a former British Special Forces member who now trains bodyguards. “Leave the Hollywood visions in Hollywood,” Savage recommends. “Odds are high that nothing will ever happen IF you do your job right. It can be boring, like sitting in a hotel room while your client sleeps next door. Having said that, it is very easy to become complacent, which is a great way to get both yourself and your client killed.”
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References
- Photo Credit fusil d'assaut image by indochine from Fotolia.com
