Warrior Career Advice

[viper08]

Hello I am a new poster here, I have been activly reading posts for about 2 months. I current work for a defence program as an unarmed security guard. It is swing shift, all employees are sheep with no security knowlege, there is absolutly no advancment, and this is not where I want to be anymore. The money and location are about the only two benefits.

So what I am asking is what do I need to do to get into more of a warrior like career? I am looking at attending ESI and getting into executive protection. What advice can you warriors give me?

Thanks for all your advice

[Frosty26]

Do you have any Military Experience? I got into the game (PPD) straight out of the Marines. Things most companies look for is a Combat MOS (Job), CAR (Combat Action Ribbon) and Specialized Training. It tends to save them a ton on training...;)

[viper08]

No, I do not have any military experiance. I do not really want to give up my rights for there training. Also I should probibaly add that im only 20, until July.

[Frosty26]

No, I do not have any military experiance. I do not really want to give up my rights for there training. Also I should probibaly add that im only 20, until July.

Give up your rights? Wow..I am not sure Executive Protection is the game you want to get into. The job is all about self-sacrifice, that is the main reason companies that pay decent want former Military. You are basically signing up to take a bullet for a stranger. Think about it.

[EDELWEISS]

+1 on what Frosty said. If you want to be a warrior be a warrior. Enlist in a combat MOS. GO AIRBORNE it shows youre willing to go the extra distance. You might want to consider Military Police if you really want executive protection, Personal Security Agents are drawn from CID.

Alternatively, if youre making good money, spend it on trainning and education. You can be the best fighter in the room but if you cant hold an articulate conversation on diverse topics and in proper english, you wont go far in executive protection. Speaking of languages, you might want to work on others as well. We've discussed this here before, and alot depends on where you live and want to work; but Id suggest French, German, Spanish and possibly any of the Asain and or Middle Eastern languages. Secondary trainning in advanced pre hospital medicine, computers, and/or finance will be helpful. You also want to be sure you can function at a dinner party as well as you can in the streets.

None of the extra trainning you take will be useless, although it might seem like it sometimes. Some of it will be expensive, but you can probably get a good start as an Paramedic at a volunteer fire company. Languages are always useful and a good command of foreign languages is a step into INTEL, likewise I.T. and finance.

[viper08]

I understand that. Im willing to take a bullet. When I get off work I want to be able to go to the range, ect. ALL bases are cold. That does not set well with me. My defence plan is nothing like the military active shooter responce plan posted here about a week ago.

[MikeNV]

Uneducated warriors are a dime a dozen. Go to college and get a degree in a usable field. Listen I've led men in different uniforms (USMC and Law Enforcement) now that I'm getting ready to retire from an LE career and re-enter the secuity field the big $ job require BA/S or MA degrees...... tons of vets out there now have combat experience, you need to have both the skills of a warrior and be EDUCATED. Develop in the language skills too.... it will pay in the future.

[ElSnapitan]

No, I do not have any military experiance. I do not really want to give up my rights for there training. Also I should probibaly add that im only 20, until July.

Well not to insult your age or attitude but if you are serious about not "sacrificing" or giving up your perceived rights for more training, then I would probably stick to being a weekend warrior and possibly look at wackenhut or something along those lines.

I am a former Marine and I do not regret "giving up" 4 years of my life for the training that I got while in (or any of my other great experiences).

Good Luck.

[Teufelhund OR]

I currently work for L-3 Vertex and am flight line security for NSAWC ( Naval Air Strike and Warfare Center "Top Gun" ) in Nevada, it is unarmed and the same, no upward mobility.

I do have military under my belt but there are options out there, I am signing on with Blackstone here in NV, the guy running the program is willing to train if you do not have said experience, you have to have the mindset and talent for the job is what they look for.

So there are entry level things if you look for them, just be careful there are way more companies that try to pass themselves off as the CIA of private security, there is LOADS of BS out there and when all is said and done you are sitting in a TJ max store doing loss prevention..

Check the backgrounds of the company owners, check the net to find out about the company..

It is all out there you just have to wade through loads of crap.

Side note, it is not just the fact you have to give time and rights away, potential employers are looking for life experience and maturity and those that served have that very thing.

Giving up your rights? You have to give something up to gain something.

If that is truly the line of work you seek, you need to think how you want to get there, there is no short path.
Teufey

[viper08]

I mean no insult to the military or the men who serve. It just was not one of my first choices. If it is the best, or only way to get where I want it will be the route I must take. What branch would be advised? And what MOS?

[Mike Heckathorn]

I understand that. Im willing to take a bullet. When I get off work I want to be able to go to the range, ect. ALL bases are cold. That does not set well with me. My defence plan is nothing like the military active shooter responce plan posted here about a week ago.

I guess the best question here is what do you want to do? Some times, you gotta suck it up and do something you do not want to do. I did not want to go to a liberal mid western college to get my bachelors (you want to talk about feeling disarmed, go to college), but I sucked it up. You have two choices if you want to be a warrior: 1) The military, or 2) School. Just because something does not set well with you does not mean that you won't have to do it... Especially in that kind of field. Make your choice.

[Teufelhund OR]

Branches of military and MOS to shoot for..

USMC, Fast Company, Recon, ANGLICO,
US ARMY, RANGER, AIRBORNE,LRSDS, SF, DELTA
US NAVY, SEALS, EOD,UDT?,
US AIRFORCE, Para Rescue "PJ" , Combat controller or branch specific security forces.

Regular infantry is good but most are looking for special operations or higher speed.

Go in as physically prepared as you can, know how to swim, be able to run etc...

These companies will also hold you to a standard of physical readiness

No offence taken was just giving you the info.

[Frosty26]

+1 on what Frosty said. If you want to be a warrior be a warrior. Enlist in a combat MOS. GO AIRBORNE it shows youre willing to go the extra distance. You might want to consider Military Police if you really want executive protection, Personal Security Agents are drawn from CID.

Alternatively, if youre making good money, spend it on trainning and education. You can be the best fighter in the room but if you cant hold an articulate conversation on diverse topics and in proper english, you wont go far in executive protection. Speaking of languages, you might want to work on others as well. We've discussed this here before, and alot depends on where you live and want to work; but Id suggest French, German, Spanish and possibly any of the Asain and or Middle Eastern languages. Secondary trainning in advanced pre hospital medicine, computers, and/or finance will be helpful. You also want to be sure you can function at a dinner party as well as you can in the streets.

None of the extra trainning you take will be useless, although it might seem like it sometimes. Some of it will be expensive, but you can probably get a good start as an Paramedic at a volunteer fire company. Languages are always useful and a good command of foreign languages is a step into INTEL, likewise I.T. and finance.

+1 on Education and Training. While in the Military, Uncle Sam paid for a BS in Politcal Science and a Minor in Communication, I also took Spanish and German, in which I am fluent. I am currently finishing up my Masters online. With my own money, I got EMT Certified and am learning Farsi with Rosetta Stone. The Company I currently work for has Consultant Positions that pay mid 6 digits, but you have a masters and put in your time in PPD. There is a huge fallacy that Executive Protection/PPD/PSD personnel are just "Shooters" with no brains..nothing could be further from the truth, 60% of the guys I work with are ex-spec ops with Master degrees.

[Frosty26]

Branches of military and MOS to shoot for..

USMC, Fast Company, Recon, ANGLICO,
US ARMY, RANGER, AIRBORNE,LRSDS, SF, DELTA
US NAVY, SEALS, EOD,UDT?,
US AIRFORCE, Para Rescue "PJ" , Combat controller or branch specific security forces.

Regular infantry is good but most are looking for special operations or higher speed.

Go in as physically prepared as you can, know how to swim, be able to run etc...

These companies will also hold you to a standard of physical readiness

No offence taken was just giving you the info.

I had buddies who got into PS around the same time I did (2006) who were not Recon Marines like myself, but who had a Solid Combat MOS (Combat Engineer for example with a concrete skill set) multiple CAR's and letter of commendation from the brass. Big +1 on being in shape too--most all reputable companies will give a fitness test, and typically it is tough. The one I took involved a 1 mile run with a 25lb pack and Rifle in 8:00 or less, Timed O Course, Bench Press and Swim to name a few.

[Fulanito]

You may not want to hear this, but the road can be long. Hard skills are difficult to acquire. Im not saying that this is the only approved method...just one of the more common for top operators.

Join the Army...put in at least 4 years, likely double or more for special units. Go to the middle East and get some experience. Volunteer for specialized and advanced training at every chance i.e. Airborne, Special Operations, SAS Ranger, Medic, EMT, Paramedic etc... Then study Criminal Justice or something similar and get a university degree. Learn a target language that is in high demand like Pashto, Dari or Farsi, Spanish. I have not found German, Italian or French to be highly useful...unless you find a niche market.

A large amount of this work, where one can gain a lot of experience in a short time is in the Middle East. Get on as much Advance detail parties as possible. Advance work is likely the MOST important aspect to PSD work. Guns and simple operator stuff is obviously necessary, but all can do this. You will want to learn the brainy part too. Its time consuming and can be boring, but this experience will win you favor at application time.

Of course the aforementioned is only if you want to be a professional. In addition to a resume, education and real world experience, this will also put a little age on you. You are only 20. 27 years of age is still VERY, VERY young.


You can also send yourself to a school for PSD and go the short route, but you will ALWAYS be behind in experience this way. But if you are just looking for a quick start and a taste of the profession, this may be for you.

Good luck with whatever you do.

[Frosty26]

You may not want to hear this, but the road can be long. Hard skills are difficult to acquire. Im not saying that this is the only approved method...just one of the more common for top operators.

Join the Army...put in at least 4 years, likely double or more for special units. Go to the middle East and get some experience. Volunteer for specialized and advanced training at every chance i.e. Airborne, Special Operations, SAS Ranger, Medic, EMT, Paramedic etc... Then study Criminal Justice or something similar and get a university degree. Learn a target language that is in high demand like Pashto, Dari or Farsi, Spanish. I have not found German, Italian or French to be highly useful...unless you find a niche market.

A large amount of this work, where one can gain a lot of experience in a short time is in the Middle East. Get on as much Advance detail parties as possible. Advance work is likely the MOST important aspect to PSD work. Guns and simple operator stuff is obviously necessary, but all can do this. You will want to learn the brainy part too. Its time consuming and can be boring, but this experience will win you favor at application time.

Of course the aforementioned is only if you want to be a professional. In addition to a resume, education and real world experience, this will also put a little age on you. You are only 20. 27 years of age is still VERY, VERY young.


You can also send yourself to a school for PSD and go the short route, but you will ALWAYS be behind in experience this way. But if you are just looking for a quick start and a taste of the profession, this may be for you.

Good luck with whatever you do.

Yeah--The Middle East is a great place to learn how to kill people ;)

I have found German pretty handy in dealing with all those crazy Mercs you run into in armpits of the world--which, by the way is where you will be workind most of the time.

[Fulanito]

Yeah--The Middle East is a great place to learn how to kill people ;)

I have found German pretty handy in dealing with all those crazy Mercs you run into in armpits of the world--which, by the way is where you will be workind most of the time.

Most Europeans I have run in to on the trail speak English quite well. I would have a young man focus on speaking a language of those who cant speak yours. I guess its a matter of where you are and with whom. Most of my work has been LATAM with some in Iraq and Afg. I tend to drift to where I speak the language and thus charge more for the contract...

[Hired gun]

Lots of good advice here for viper08. In a nutshell viper08, pick a career where you get to hunt armed men

[curtis_4]

Something no one else touched on, if you join the military they will pay for your collage too. I spent a tour in Iraq, you cannot learn from a school what you will learn from actual boots on the ground experience you will get on a tour in Afganistan.

[Fulanito]

Something no one else touched on, if you join the military they will pay for your collage too. I spent a tour in Iraq, you cannot learn from a school what you will learn from actual boots on the ground experience you will get on a tour in Afganistan.

Right on target. If I have the chance to hire from two guys, all being the same but one has been in the military (not even a special unit), Ill go with the military guy EVERY SINGLE TIME.

After having spent a lifetime in the service, I will tell you that it is certainly not the be all, end all that some say it is. It is no guarantee that the guys will be great.

However, at least it is a GREAT filtration process that the "iffy", "questionable", "unsure" and weak dont survive. Everyone who leaves the service (even after only 3 or 4 years) will likely have at least basic organization skills, values, understanding, basic first aid, basic marksmanship, some discipline, knows how to follow orders...and give them. Simply WAY less risk for the employer.

Of course a potential employee who has been through the ringer of special ops programs (take your pick as there are many), advanced training and or higher education demonstrates a much higher level of expertise and commitment. Certainly a better candidate with likely more potential. Read a better investment for my money