Armed Security

[jamgusmc]

What do I have to do to get a job doing Armed Security? I have limited Military Experience (honorable discharge), I have no LE experience. Are there specific SI classes I could take that would open up opportunities for me?

[qshipglide]

If your talking about local armed security, Your state will usually have minimum requirements, This might be paid for by your prospective employer but you might be able to get a jumpstart on that.

[Base Bleed]

Some time as a reserve LEO may help the resume as well.

[Goombah]

don't go for the local contract company that sticks you at a bank or other location. thats what I do for a living. the pay sucks and your chance's for promotion are limited at best, if at all.
your pay is usually based upon the post that you are assigned. and your post is where they put you, you can request a better one, but they don't have to give it to you.

check into nuke security. it typically pays better.

Armed guard's are licensed through the state you work in.

[Mountain Man]

Look into federal government security jobs, better pay at the nuclear plants.

[Aries]

Look into federal government security jobs, better pay at the nuclear plants.
gotta friend who was prior military (mechanic) got a job as armed security at Browns Ferry Nuke Plant in NW Alabama $18.00. Not great but descent for the cost of living in Alabama

[Jon Payne]

Have you ever thought of DOE? A few of guys I worked with in "Industrial Security" back in the day ended going that route. They got to drive big trucks and shoot big guns and stuff. I think the job title was DOE Courier.

[Jim Fuller]

Have you ever thought of DOE? A few of guys I worked with in "Industrial Security" back in the day ended going that route. They got to drive big trucks and shoot big guns and stuff. I think the job title was DOE Courier.


A lot of DOE security guys from Nevada testsite are our customers and they do make good money judging by what they spend in my shop.

[Ragsbo]

We are "DOE" and our guys top out at $23 an hour after 18 months. We look for prior military with law enforcement or civilian law enforcement (cop, jailer, prison guard). You have to pass an initial shooting test, a physical fitness test, and interview. Once hired you must be able to get an in-depth background clearance. Surprisingly the test most fail is the shooting; and it ain't that hard. I don't know about other faclities but am sure the pay and all will be close.

[Nanuk]

+1 Federal.

Borderpatrol.gov

[jamgusmc]

Thanks to all for your replies, but back to my original question. Are there any SI Classes which would train me up for security, and or give me a leg up to getting a job with a security firm?

[Goombah]

having only taken a 1 day rifle refresher course, I would say that you should go with a basic pistol course & then move up into the more advanced pistol courses & force on force classes. anything to get you started is good.

even if you can only attend a one day rifle gunfighting refresher course. it's good. you'll learn something, and you have a chance to pick the instructors brain & other shooters attending the class.

I would also recommend looking locally for trainers that do the state armed guard licensing. getting the license prior to getting hired is not difficult & a contract company will see you having it as a plus. mostly b/c they don't have to train you for your state license. In TN you cannot work as an armed guard until you have your state license in hand. which could mean having to wait up to six weeks for you to get it after you have submitted all the paperwork to the state. bureaucracy at its finest there.

most armed guards will only carry a sidearm. as you move up into nuclear/federal security is where rifle/shotguns come into play. I was very impressed with my local SI instructor Randy Harris & I plan on taking more classes by him as the funds become available.

[jamgusmc]

having only taken a 1 day rifle refresher course, I would say that you should go with a basic pistol course & then move up into the more advanced pistol courses & force on force classes. anything to get you started is good.

even if you can only attend a one day rifle gunfighting refresher course. it's good. you'll learn something, and you have a chance to pick the instructors brain & other shooters attending the class.

I would also recommend looking locally for trainers that do the state armed guard licensing. getting the license prior to getting hired is not difficult & a contract company will see you having it as a plus. mostly b/c they don't have to train you for your state license. In TN you cannot work as an armed guard until you have your state license in hand. which could mean having to wait up to six weeks for you to get it after you have submitted all the paperwork to the state. bureaucracy at its finest there.

most armed guards will only carry a sidearm. as you move up into nuclear/federal security is where rifle/shotguns come into play. I was very impressed with my local SI instructor Randy Harris & I plan on taking more classes by him as the funds become available.

I want a rifle course so I can remember all I have forgotten in 20yrs. I already took the CRG and will retake it this fall/winter, and I will take the basic pistol class too, just so I can have the cert on my wall next to the others. :D

[Erik Pakieser]

+1 on nuclear, it's a good stepping stone to federal positions.

Also, look for DoD/state positions at military bases. They are always looking for good people, and it's a good steady job.

Avoid armored car and contract uniform jobs. The risk & hours simply are not worth the money.

[Teufelhund OR]

You also have to watch the Govt jobs too, I am a security contractor out at Fallon Naval Air station with L-3.

When it was Boeing IDS the pay and differential and bennies were pretty good, after contract change over to L-3 the pay was drastically reduced to garbage, I work nights and weekends with no if little shift differential, and get paid nothing extra for weekends, it is a DEAD end job no advancement at all..

I am looking too.. I have an active security clearance, have armed experience and even was put through DOD/NAVY small arms course and inspection and have done many other things, surveillance, counter, patrol, Vehicle inspection as well as persons and property etc etc... Passed an MMPI2 testing last year,and had valid title 10 cards..

I am 40 and feel you pain trust me.. I am over qualified to walk a mall, not enough to get other contractor work...

Sorry for the rant just frustrated :(
Truly sucks....

Chris

[jamgusmc]

Sorry for the rant just frustrated :(
Truly sucks....

Chris
Chris it does, dont let it get you down, I dont know if your religious, but in the christian warrior forum ask for prayers, it cannot not hurt and it definately helps!! "Especially helps just knowing others care."

[Teufelhund OR]

I appreciate the sentiment :)
I am religious but as my name states OR stands for Odinic Rite as I am a professed member of that Organization, I am a life long practicing Odinist.

I lean on my faith during tough times as you do, it is just that after looking there is just nothing out there, jobs are so minimal.

Just have to press on :) but thank you for the words :)