Been looking into the bodyguard business.

[Warped Mindless]

Its something I've always wanted to do so fuck it, thats what I'm going to do. Life is short, to short to be doing something we don't enjoy. I realize its not like the movies (good, don't want to get into epic battles every fucking day :P) but I still have a major interest in it.

I have above average shooting skills, and am skilled in Krav Maga. To be honest, I need to brush back up on that though. I found a bodyguard training center that I've herd great things about. They teach you everything. I believe I'm going to shell out some money for that.

Anyone have any experience as a body guard? Advice, comments? Fire away.

[Random_Looney]

I had some professional bodyguards invited to my Krav class. You will probably need licensing, at least "armed security" depending on the state, possibly a PI license, and everything you need to know should be taught to you at class/apprenticeship.

[muff_daddy]

Your better off being a bodyguard on the dl, dispite the danger of arrest its very profitable. what side of the law are you on would you feel like working for a known criminal?

If not, you could still probably find a good nightclub in your area that wouldn't mind having a "backup bouncer," you get paid to beat drunk people up and break up fights. most of the time they will even bail you out if you take it to far.

There's pretty much only one requirement, look good in black. Being a big dude helps, I'm 5'11'' 250 semi muscular build (beer belly now). I used to get in a lot of fights being a bouncer at shows. it was mostly one sided you hit one bouncer expect six to jump your ass and bounce your head off the floor a couple times before they throw you next to the dumpster or call the cops.

Body guard school costs too much in my opinion and if you are armed you are 100% responsible for anything you use it on. Oh and you get to jump in front of bullets for some loser who cant defend himself.

[b00m]

I believe if you look into it, you can get a Protective Agent License. Which from what I read is basically a Body Guard. Unfortunately you have to work for someone else for 3 years before you can go out on your own.


I always thought a bail recovery agent would be a fun profession.

Only problem with not being licensed as a bodyguard is, that you have more heat from the government. And if you get caught with a felony then you cannot legally conceal and carry.

And unlicensed firearms are big trouble.

Just something to think about.

-b00m

[Random_Looney]

Your better off being a bodyguard on the dl, dispite the danger of arrest its very profitable. what side of the law are you on would you feel like working for a known criminal?
Keep the illegal stuff in Bad Ideas, please.


There's pretty much only one requirement, look good in black.
Um, no. That has nothing to do with being a bodyguard.

Body guard school costs too much in my opinion and if you are armed you are 100% responsible for anything you use it on. Oh and you get to jump in front of bullets for some loser who cant defend himself.

You're always responsible for what you use a weapon on.

Also, bodyguards don't need to jump in front of bullets. That's more of the Secret Service/Executive Protection. Bodyguards are more like personal security, and may not require self sacrifice.

[Random_Looney]

And unlicensed firearms are big trouble.


No, they're not. There's no national licensing/registration of firearms. Illegally providing armed security whilst improperly licensed is always a local (state/municipal) offense.

[b00m]

O, my bad Looney, I guess I have been misinformed. Thanks for the correction.

[muff_daddy]

Keep the illegal stuff in Bad Ideas, please.



Um, no. That has nothing to do with being a bodyguard.



You're always responsible for what you use a weapon on.

Also, bodyguards don't need to jump in front of bullets. That's more of the Secret Service/Executive Protection. Bodyguards are more like personal security, and may not require self sacrifice.

1) Okay understandable, but you can be legitimately employed by a criminal enterprise. For say a front, If say criminal a owns a nightclub or a restaurant you can get a job as a bouncer, or body guard.

2) I was talking about being a bouncer not a bodyguard.

3) Just stressing the point.

4) Well if you have a gun and he doesn't your more then likely to stand in front of him to return fire, he is paying you. That's just common courtesy.

[Random_Looney]

1) Okay understandable, but you can be legitimately employed by a criminal enterprise.
Not practically, if you're aware of the criminal nature of your employer. Check the RICO Act.

2) I was talking about being a bouncer not a bodyguard.Noted, but that's not exactly on topic


4) Well if you have a gun and he doesn't your more then likely to stand in front of him to return fire, he is paying you. That's just common courtesy.

Common courtesy has little to do with actual business. When's the last time a corporation has extended towards you common courtesy? It's not logical to assume someone else is going to risk their life to save another individual, even if it's in the job description (which it quite often isn't).

[muff_daddy]

Legitimately working for the front is not illegal as long as you don't say you know about the activity, personally the less i know the better.

I can feel that.

Maybe I'm the last loyal person left, if I am told to protect someone I put their life over mine, especially if they have fat bank rolls. Worst comes to worst I'm dead and hell I've been trying to do that for the last 3 years.

[Random_Looney]

Legitimately working for the front is not illegal as long as you don't say you know about the activity, personally the less i know the better.
As long as you can convince a jury you didn't know ; -).

Maybe I'm the last loyal person left, if I am told to protect someone I put their life over mine, especially if they have fat bank rolls. Worst comes to worst I'm dead and hell I've been trying to do that for the last 3 years.

I haven't met many loyal people. Definitely don't count on others. Even when I've had to depend on someone else for my personal safety, I've been let down before.

[b00m]

You definitely have a point about loyalty and people in todays world. Most people that your going to pay to protect you are going to bail on you if their life gets threatened.

Everything is based on money these days, and if your dead that fat pay check you have been getting doesn't matter anymore.

I have had a few experiences where my "loyal" friends didn't seem to loyal after they get a gun in there face.

Loyalty is rare these days

[muff_daddy]

Its sad that you were let down RL but we all are. Some instances may have been more drastic then others, but I have had a pretty good luck picking the assholes out of my life. Right now the only problems I have is with chicks, a few bad girlfriends and you can lose faith in love and humanity. You just have to debate your value over a situation, I have done a lot of things I regret but more so things I could have done but chose to neglect.

I trust very few people, but I do have a strong almost stupid sense of loyalty. There are people right now who I would kill for no questions asked, I would take myself out to save them in any situation.

If I were your bodyguard and you treated me like a bodyguard and payed me, I would defend you till my last breath as long as I get paid. If not you might get sprayed, you dig? Loyalty is a two way street when its professional.

[Struwwelpeter]

Its sad that you were let down RL but we all are. Some instances may have been more drastic then others, but I have had a pretty good luck picking the assholes out of my life. Right now the only problems I have is with chicks, a few bad girlfriends and you can lose faith in love and humanity. You just have to debate your value over a situation, I have done a lot of things I regret but more so things I could have done but chose to neglect.

I trust very few people, but I do have a strong almost stupid sense of loyalty. There are people right now who I would kill for no questions asked, I would take myself out to save them in any situation.

If I were your bodyguard and you treated me like a bodyguard and payed me, I would defend you till my last breath as long as I get paid. If not you might get sprayed, you dig? Loyalty is a two way street when its professional.

All of the highlighted sentences in this post are examples of extreme closet homoeroticism.

[muff_daddy]

All of the highlighted sentences in this post are examples of extreme closet homoeroticism.

You saying that is an example of extreme closet homoeroticism.:fap:

[muff_daddy]

I really don't understand how your commentary has anything to do with being a bodyguard?

[Struwwelpeter]

Why are you talking to yourself dude? Fucking schizoid freak.

[The English Gentleman]

All of the highlighted sentences in this post are examples of extreme closet homoeroticism.

I lol'd hard and fast.

[Lurker_Man]

1. Anyone who used the word bouncer in this thread doesn't know shit.
2. To become a "bodyguard" (known as a CPO over here), you have to have some military experiance, if you don't you won't get highrisk jobs.
And you have to have a respectable training provider. Expect to shell out around $4000.
Oh, and networking is a must, you won't get anywhere without networking.

[Freelance Tax Collector]

Ask yourself this.

Am I a tool? Check.

With military service? Check.

With a drinking problem? Check.

And marital troubles? Check.

And probably a gambling problem? Check.

Not terribly bright but enough testosterone to make up for it? Check.

In casual conversation do I allude to a shadowy black ops past? Check.

Weigh 275 bench 800 pounds but can't run 100 yards? Check.

Have a "dick target" goatee? Check.

Carry a sidearm no smaller than .44 magnum, unless it's full auto? Check.

Tivo every episode of Cops, Dog the bounty hunter, or Dallas SWAT? Check.

Try to make yourself a target, even though you preach to maintain a low profile? Check.

If you answered yes:

<6: Hire a bodyguard you weakling.
6-9: Watch a few more Kevin Costner films, then come back.
10-12: Start heading south, that's where business is good for pros like you.

Holy shitblobs....

[Random_Looney]

1. Anyone who used the word bouncer in this thread doesn't know shit.
2. To become a "bodyguard" (known as a CPO over here), you have to have some military experiance, if you don't you won't get highrisk jobs.

No you don't. Maybe over there, but you do not need military experience at all. LE or military training is a plus, but in no way necessary.

[Animal Farm Pig]

Just curious-- is it typically necessary to be a big guy for that kind of work? Would someone who is 5'8" and 150 lbs just get laughed at?

I suppose it would depend on type of work and the employer. Anyone have some perspective on this?

[Random_Looney]

It depends on job history and employer. If someone wants a big guy to intimidate or muscle someone if they get out of line, it matters.

If someone is more concerned about assassination attempts, there is at least a place for smaller people if they are qualified. Are we talking overt or covert security?

[Animal Farm Pig]

I'm really asking mainly asking out of curiosity. It would be cool to know about different career opportunities on the shadier side (south of the border) should all else fail.

It would seem to me that big guys would be wanted as bouncers or for situations where someone needs to be intimidated, but it doesn't seem practical to the employer to have a 6'6" goon following him into a classy restaurant or a business meeting. Likewise, there must be things that require someone to be "low key"-- for example secure couriering or gathering information.

My only real experience with this is from traveling around a bit in Nigeria with my father. Security in that situation was local guys with AK's in escort cars while driving, and local guys guarding different installations. I didn't have much confidence in their ability to shoot and actually hit something, but I've seen them do a good enough job at bribing police, smacking prostitutes, and beating unarmed people with rubber clubs.

[Lurker_Man]

No you don't. Maybe over there, but you do not need military experience at all. LE or military training is a plus, but in no way necessary.
Over here? Lisencing is a condition over here in the UK, but CPOs work the same all over the world, its all about who you know.
I said you need militart experience for highrisk jobs. Without it you will be on lowrisk jobs (asset protection, guarding a celeb at a nightclub, chauffer)




Just curious-- is it typically necessary to be a big guy for that kind of work? Would someone who is 5'8" and 150 lbs just get laughed at?

I suppose it would depend on type of work and the employer. Anyone have some perspective on this?

I'm 5'10 and just over 13 stone, and i work on the doors over in the UK. Size isn't everything as long as you can do your job. Suprisingly, CPOs don't have to be as big as long as they are fit and have some good PI or combat training.



To become a CPO, you would be best off working in the security industry for a few years if you have no military background.

[Venom]

What's good in terms of vests for stopping bullets or knives?

[Lurker_Man]

What's good in terms of vests for stopping bullets or knives?

They normally have different grades.
Kevlar degrades over time, and even more depending on the conditions of it being stored/worn.

[Venom]

That's all fine and dandy but what's best in terms of having a realistic chances of stopping a few good thrusts of a knife for example.Any ideas?

[Lurker_Man]

That's all fine and dandy but what's best in terms of having a realistic chances of stopping a few good thrusts of a knife for example.Any ideas?

One which has gone through different tests and has the right certifications.
Its impossible to answer your question as there are many different answers.
And i don't have much experiance with vests, i have only ever had 1 my self. I'm replacing it soon though.

[KillSwitch_J]

Its something I've always wanted to do so fuck it, thats what I'm going to do. Life is short, to short to be doing something we don't enjoy. I realize its not like the movies (good, don't want to get into epic battles every fucking day :P) but I still have a major interest in it.

I have above average shooting skills, and am skilled in Krav Maga. To be honest, I need to brush back up on that though. I found a bodyguard training center that I've herd great things about. They teach you everything. I believe I'm going to shell out some money for that.

Anyone have any experience as a body guard? Advice, comments? Fire away.

If she was a member here Then the person you could have talked to would have been Nemisis from over at totse.

She was supposedly in the bodygaurding business for a while, then (at least according to her) she left the buisness after she got pregnant. I haven't heard from her in quite a while though.

She did however tell me that she and jackketch used to chat about security work back when #bint was still up and running in the irc. Maybe you should talk to him about it.

[Lurker_Man]

If she was a member here Then the person you could have talked to would have been Nemisis from over at totse.

She was supposedly in the bodygaurding business for a while, then (at least according to her) she left the buisness after she got pregnant. I haven't heard from her in quite a while though.

She did however tell me that she and jackketch used to chat about security work back when #bint was still up and running in the irc. Maybe you should talk to him about it.

What type of security work does jackketch do?

[Rykoshet]

That's all fine and dandy but what's best in terms of having a realistic chances of stopping a few good thrusts of a knife for example.Any ideas?

Dragon Skin is top of the line in this price range.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dragon_Skin_body_armor

[KillSwitch_J]

What type of security work does jackketch do?

Maybe you should ask him that.

[Random_Looney]

Over here? Lisencing is a condition over here in the UK, but CPOs work the same all over the world, its all about who you know.
I said you need militart experience for highrisk jobs. Without it you will be on lowrisk jobs (asset protection, guarding a celeb at a nightclub, chauffer)
.

And you're wrong. In the UK, you guys sometimes have the SAS providing executive protection, to my knowledge, but that is not the case in the US.

The Secret Service has some executive protection details, and they are not military.

Blackwater et al provides plenty of high risk protection, I'd say. None of them require military experience, though it is often a plus. Their hiring cycles fluctuate between hiring anyone and getting them the training they need privately, or hiring people with decent military training already depending on demand and needs.

Besides, plenty of military training sucks. It just depends.

[Lurker_Man]

Dragon Skin is top of the line in this price range.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dragon_Skin_body_armor

Fortis!

[Lurker_Man]

And you're wrong. In the UK, you guys sometimes have the SAS providing executive protection, to my knowledge, but that is not the case in the US.

The Secret Service has some executive protection details, and they are not military.

SAS don't provide much if at all any executive protection, maybe to the royal family and the PM but thats it.

The secret service is government run, which means they will have some basic military training. Do you honestly think they have no military background/training, and they will be aloud to look after the prez.

[Random_Looney]

They normally have different grades.
Kevlar degrades over time, and even more depending on the conditions of it being stored/worn.

Kevlar typically only appreciably degrades from UV light and while under the influence of humid conditions. It's far more stable than dyneema HDPE or Aramid, Talwon, etc.

If anyone here wants affordable knife protection, they have vests for that which are not NIJ threat level rated, although many vests that are NIJ threat level rated due tend to stop knife attacks.

[Random_Looney]

SAS don't provide much if at all any executive protection, maybe to the royal family and the PM but thats it.

The secret service is government run, which means they will have some basic military training. Do you honestly think they have no military background/training, and they will be aloud to look after the prez.

Wrong.

Yes, because they go to FLETC, etc. FLEO=/= military, nor do they necessarily get military training. Just because Quantico has some USMC equipment does not that the training is identical. Close protection has nothing necessarily to do with military.

[Lurker_Man]

Kevlar typically only appreciably degrades from UV light and while under the influence of humid conditions. It's far more stable than dyneema HDPE or Aramid, Talwon, etc.

If anyone here wants affordable knife protection, they have vests for that which are not NIJ threat level rated, although many vests that are NIJ threat level rated due tend to stop knife attacks.
Its nice to someone who knows something :)

If you are going to buy a vest, dont get an ex military or ex police. There ex for a reason.

[Random_Looney]

Its nice to someone who knows something :)

If you are going to buy a vest, dont get an ex military or ex police. There ex for a reason.

Thanks. Even old vests rate pretty well, but I agree; don't try them!

Anyway, I realize it looked like I disagreed with you on the SAS, and I don't. I meant .mil=/=FLEO, and I didn't mean to have anyone believe I conflated FLETC with Quantico. Different places. Besides, my Blackwater, Triple Canopy, DynCorp, etc. point stands. Their hiring cycle is cyclical.

[Lurker_Man]

Thanks. Even old vests rate pretty well, but I agree; don't try them!

Anyway, I realize it looked like I disagreed with you on the SAS, and I don't. I meant .mil=/=FLEO, and I didn't mean to have anyone believe I conflated FLETC with Quantico. Different places. Besides, my Blackwater, Triple Canopy, DynCorp, etc. point stands. Their hiring cycle is cyclical.

I don't understand much about the US military/security/ect.

But i still find it hard to believe that the secret service with get too look after the prez without miliatary experiance. Is that training close to military by anychance?


Oh, and how do you know so much about this anyway?

[jackketch]

What type of security work does jackketch do?

Did.

High end security work, used to work with a lot of former special forces guys...that kind of security.

And yes Nemi was Bodyguard of some note.

[Lurker_Man]

Did.

High end security work, used to work with a lot of former special forces guys...that kind of security.

And yes Nemi was Bodyguard of some note.

How come you got out of it?

[jackketch]

How come you got out of it?

Because the wife became so ill and I couldn't handle the stress of it.

[Lurker_Man]

Because the wife became so ill and I couldn't handle the stress of it.
Any interesting storys from your days as a bodyguard? Was you pre or post SIA.

[jackketch]

Any interesting storys from your days as a bodyguard? Was you pre or post SIA.

Non SIA (Germany).

Stories? Well I'm one of the few blokes who've slept on the Sultan Of Brunei's daughter's bed...

That would be the same Sultan Of Brunei who called the police because someone nicked a ball point pen out of his plane. Seems sooo petty for a pen that was only worth a measly $90,000.

[Random_Looney]

I don't understand much about the US military/security/ect.

But i still find it hard to believe that the secret service with get too look after the prez without miliatary experiance. Is that training close to military by anychance?


Oh, and how do you know so much about this anyway?

They do.

What kind of military training? Basic, marksmanship, airborne school...?

I mean, you probably won't be using landnav or anything on VIP detail. Sure, knowing how to handle oneself is great, as is the ability to trust someone (such as someone who's served their country and hopefully has security clearance), but the military is not synonymous with executive protection. The private industry can produce better martial artists, better marksmen, better drivers, etc.

Just because someone wasn't a Delta SEAL with a license to kill doesn't mean they don't get high risk protection detail assignments. Look at PMC's. You have a lot of rangers and marines in there, but that's recent. Check out the older guys and you'll see restrictions change with the times. They are hired as security for the Dept of State in combat zones.

[jackketch]

Just because someone wasn't a Delta SEAL with a license to kill doesn't mean they don't get high risk protection detail assignments..

This. I was often on jobs where i was one of the only, if not the only, guy who wasn't ex special forces. But then again that was probably because I was the only one who was still reasonably 'sane'

(never work with former Legionaries, they are all certifiable.Fact.)

[Random_Looney]

(never work with former Legionaries, they are all certifiable.Fact.)

I trained with one. He was a bodyguard in the Philippines since the age of 14, he claims.

He went FFL, came to the US as a bodyguard moonlighting as a bouncer, and he was completely nuts. Ran into a live fire range past the firing line, did a combat roll, and while rolling fired off 7 rounds from a 1911. Most actually hit his target. I was both terrified of how close to being shot he had come, and that he had pulled it off.

He wanted to practice gun disarms with live weapons.

[TruthWielder]

This. I was often on jobs where i was one of the only, if not the only, guy who wasn't ex special forces. But then again that was probably because I was the only one who was still reasonably 'sane'

(never work with former Legionaries, they are all certifiable.Fact.)

Why would you say that?

And btw, what are the (obviously miniscule) chances of a 5'6 but very fit fellow being in this line of work?

[Random_Looney]

Why would you say that?

And btw, what are the (obviously miniscule) chances of a 5'6 but very fit fellow being in this line of work?

It's only miniscule if it's overt security.

[jackketch]

It's only miniscule if it's overt security.

Again this.

Size only matters if you need to intimidate or shield. If you look closely at visiting Heads Of State security then you'll often see the jocks are there to catch bullets or 'dummy' but then on the edges you'll see the men, often older and smaller, in rain coats (and no for once I don't mean those rain coat wearers).

[TruthWielder]

Again this.

Size only matters if you need to intimidate or shield. If you look closely at visiting Heads Of State security then you'll often see the jocks are there to catch bullets or 'dummy' but then on the edges you'll see the men, often older and smaller, in rain coats (and no for once I don't mean those rain coat wearers).

Hm...allright... aren't there rich people who need a constant aid and companion with bodyguard training? Who just happens to be short? (Kato, green hornet :cool:)

[v0x]

This was a very interesting and informational thread. thanks to all the posters. I was wondering, though, if anyone knew a good sites, papers, or publications that detail some of these "south of the border" types of jobs (i.e. bodyguard, bounty hunter, PI, mercenary, etc.). Any and all info is welcome. Thanks.

[Random_Looney]

The best thing I can think of is to try and shadow or apprentice PI's, moonlight as a bouncer, and try for enrollment those executive protection schools. They'll probably begin the whole networking thing that's so valuable in life. Just remember you'll be working your way up. It depends on what type of protection you'd want, where you'd apply, etc. One thing that helps is being eligible for armed security, which is something a lot of off duty police do to make ends meet. Sometimes all you need is a CCW.

Another thing to remember is that Bail Bondsmen can do some bodyguarding. The same kind of deal with Private Investigation is it depends on the country, and/or state you're dealing with.

Bondsmen can be pretty shady types. They and Private Investigators just do contract work, and that's only limited by the law or ones morals.

I would imagine that would give you an extremely diverse picture of that kind of work. No guarantees. Unprofessional opinion.

[Rykoshet]

I wanted to join the FFL until I found out you had to learn to iron a 14-crease shirt.

No wonder they're all insane.

[Cloaked Dagger]

Non SIA (Germany).

Stories? Well I'm one of the few blokes who've slept on the Sultan Of Brunei's daughter's bed...

That would be the same Sultan Of Brunei who called the police because someone nicked a ball point pen out of his plane. Seems sooo petty for a pen that was only worth a measly $90,000.

And was the daughter in the bed as well jack? Come on give us all the details ;)

[The Savage]

So hows the pen write, jack?

And was the daughter in the bed as well jack? Come on give us all the details ;)
And pics! never forget the pics!

[LavaRed]

Oh and you get to jump in front of bullets for some loser who cant defend himself.

I'm pretty sure that my bodyguards and members of my "private army" ;) (joking) would beg to differ.
I'm pretty sure I've mastered them in both reaction time and accuracy.

EDIT: I'll add driving skills and creativity for ambush too. Live disarms are fun. Sure you'd have to be crazy, but they really test you.
And for those who don't know me, I'm no bodyguard and I don't plan to be, but it pays to be better than your own, in case you get betrayed.
Also some people would call me a bit crazy, but I believe they are just mistaken with eccentricity.