Bodyguard Job Description

Series Summary

A bodyguard refers to any type of security guard or government agent who protects a person, usually someone famous, wealthy or politically important. Famous individuals, from presidents, celebrities and important CEOs, often require protection from assault, kidnapping, assassination or threats. In order to protect people, bodyguards are often trained in unarmed combat, tactical driving, first aid and firearm tactics. They generally work long shifts in order to provide 24-hour protection and will work in a range of locations in order to keep their client protected. Interested in becoming a bodyguard? Bodyguard careers can follow a number paths, from private agency bodyguards to Secret Service. In this free video series, a former Secret Service agent explains basic bodyguard career information. Learn to become a bodyguard and about typical bodyguard salaries. Get tips on the pros and cons of being a bodyguard and information on a bodyguard's typical day in the field. Becoming a bodyguard certainly isn't for everyone but it can be an interesting and exciting career choice for the right person.

Video Transcript

"A bodyguard is an executive protection agent, in today's terms. An executive protection agent is a person that protects another individual, the site, the estate, location, assets, personal property, and is assigned to do so as a member of a, usually as a member of a team. Well, essentially the aspects of executive protection work involve a multitude of phases or core operations. Number one, we have what we call a "threat assessment" which needs to be conducted initially, prior to the inception of any operation. Secondly, and third, they can be simultaneously conducted or individually, we have the "security advance" and we also have the implementation of an executive protection detail. This is part of an overall operation in the initial discussion with a client and essentially the act of getting on the same page, what we call "conceptual agreement" with a client. Typical day in the field is fielding questions, telephone calls that come in from individuals inquiring about the nature of executive protection work. They're looking for answers as to how they can solve their problems, how they can deal with their individual problems whether they be threats, individual risks and vulnerabilities pertaining to their business, to their estate. Essentially it's a myriad of topics that you're going to be addressing. I also field questions regarding career work in the field. There's a major difference between executive protection, personal security work and basic security work. When you look at the work of security, individuals working at a standard security post, whether it be at a bank, a supermarket, or a construction site, or an industrial site, where this is different is that the executive protection agent has to implement some expertise. The executive protection agent is more than just a personal security person, or just more than a security guard that is assigned to a task. The executive protection agent needs to become, what we call in the field, the "Executive Protection Consultant". He has to become the security expert."