BEING A BODYGUARD

What does it take and what skills are needed to be a professional Bodyguard?

Throughout the world there are thousands

of people who work as bodyguards for
hundreds of different organisations,
companies and entities. The questions that
many people ask is just what exactly does it
take and just what skills are important to be
a bodyguard? More importantly, what skills
and education do I need to be an effective,
professional and successful bodyguard
where I earn the respect of my peers and
the people that I work to protect?

People who are thinking of starting in the

bodyguarding profession or those who wish
to take their skills to the next level need to
start with their own attitudes.

“Professional bodyguards have their muscles in their heads!”

It’s their ability to solve potentially dangerous and volatile situations before they
become problems and without the use of violence at any level. It’s the skill of being
able to read a situation, taking quick effect action and communicating effectively to
people.

“The ideal problem for any bodyguard…is the one that they don’t have!”

Naturally, if the talking doesn’t work bodyguards need to be completely capable and
proficient in dealing with situations that Bosses are likely to encounter, including the

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use of deadly force. However, today most Bosses get into situations that rarely
involve that their bodyguards need to use force. Instead it’s their bodyguard’s
abilities to foresee potential problems, plan in advance for them and the being able to
react to the any unforeseen situation to remove their Bosses from the situation
without injuries, embarrassment or as is in most cases…bad press.

Being a professional bodyguard can be one of the most boring and mundane jobs on
earth if you do your job correctly. If you as a bodyguard follow established principles
and procedures, going from the point of view, that the contract that you are working
on has them, nothing is likely to happen, because you have properly prepared and
planned your Boss’ movement.

You should know and have studied and assessed every aspect of your Boss’
program, where they need to go, sit, give speeches, where they are, when they will
move and to where. In the event of an emergency you should also be confident in
the knowledge that you have and know your Boss’ emergency plan. Given the fact
that you have one? Over a period of two years from 1997 to 1999, I questioned
hundreds of private security company bodyguards at a variety of different events and
levels of threat. I asked them about their own emergency plans and those in place
for the events.

Of the 317 privately contracted bodyguards that I officially questioned, only 15

bodyguards stated that they had or were aware of an emergency plan that involved
their Boss and there wasn’t one that gave an understandable and logical emergency
plan that wouldn’t have ended in chaos in the event of a real emergency.

Therefore, it’s the individual bodyguard’s personal motivation to learn the vital skills
that will make them effective. How does a bodyguard choose a course or course of
studies that will teach them what they will need to know to be effective, professional
and gain them the respect and recognition they seek?

To start one should learn how to effectively communicate with others and learn to
identify and deal with difficult people. Your appearance, dress and deportment will

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play a significant role in the manner and degree in which others will treat and react to
you. Your appearance and demeanour will also determine how much co-operation
you get from others and how seriously you are going to be received. Hence, dress
and act professional and that’s the way you will be treated.

The following is a list of some of the most important skills that bodyguards need to
work at the higher levels of the people protection profession:

• Understanding and effectively communicating and dealing with people.

• Having some knowledge in the topics of psychology, sociology and human
behaviour.
• Understanding the different roles, different types of the Bosses, different
intruders and how to effectively deal with each.
• Understanding the basic principles of man-management, micro-management
and crisis management.
• Understanding event security and event close protection principles and
procedures.
• Knowing and understanding the basic principles of how to properly assess
threat and how to complete comprehensive threat assessments on people,
locations and events.
• Understanding the topic of stalkers and stalking.
• Knowing and understanding how to complete a site security survey.
• Knowing and being able to effectively plan your Boss’s trip to any event or
location to the highest level of the most threatened person attending.
• Understanding building design and security related technologies for homes,
offices and vehicles.
• Understanding basic fire fighting techniques and procedures. Understanding
fire alarm systems and how home, office and facility sprinkler systems
function.
• Being physically fit and maintaining a regular physical fitness program.
• Being competent in the use of small arms and all defensive weapons that
bodyguards use.

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 • Knowing and being proficient in the use of all bodyguarding personal
equipment and technologies.
• Understanding personal and vehicle armour.
• Understanding how portable radios function and the local legal and
registration regulations for the use of them.
• Understanding and being proficient in walking and escorting drills and
procedures.
• Understanding and being proficient in emergency drill and procedures while on
foot.
• Understanding and being proficient in Embus and Debus procedures (getting
in and out of cars).
• Understand the principles of Route Selection and planning and being able to
complete comprehensive plans.
• Understand explosives and Improvised Explosive Devises (IEDs). Searching
techniques for homes, offices and vehicles.
• Understand electronic eaves dropping and counter eaves dropping
techniques.
• Understanding and being proficient in safe, defensive, tactical and extreme
driving techniques.
• Understand all local laws, customs and traditions in the area that you are
operating in.
• Understanding how protocols, hierarchies and chains of command work.
• Understand and being proficient in the use of computers, digital photography
and finally
• Understand and being proficient in emergency medicine.

Understanding and effectively communicating and dealing with people

As a bodyguard it is important to understand that your job is dealing with people.

You will very quickly discover that you will be officially talking to all types of people,
from parking lot attendants to CEOs and its how you speak to them that significantly
impacts how effective you are going to be as a bodyguard. If you’re coming across
“high and mighty” to the little guy, they’re going to look at you as a “suit” and dislike
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you. That’s not an ideal situation to have because you will quickly discover that it’s
often the little guy who will give you vital pieces of information about what is
happening in their area from a security perspective that will make you look good. If
you maintain an open, friendly and respectfully relationship with everyone you are
likely going to be told something that will greatly assist you in completing your task in
protecting your Boss. On the other side you need to be able to speak clearly,
effectively and professionally to your Boss. Often bodyguarding team leaders are
required to give security briefings, situation reports and presentations. If you don’t
like giving presentations or you don’t know how to give presentations, with or without
the use of multi-media…learn how! There are several schools that offer night
classes. Remember, as a bodyguard if you don’t or can’t use effective
communication, your future prospects as a bodyguard are greatly reduced.

Having some knowledge in the topics of psychology, sociology and human

behaviour.

Bodyguards only deal with people, all different kinds of people and often under
extreme or adverse conditions.
When you as a bodyguard are
accompanying the Boss, a CEO of
a major corporation, it will help you
to understand that when these
CEOs visit their companies, the
staffs on hand are under a great
deal of stress. It’s very important
that you as a bodyguard don’t make un-needed or un-reasonable requests on these
people. On the other side, understanding what makes people tick and how people
generally act under normal and stressful situations and circumstances is in essence
the job of a bodyguard.

Therefore, bodyguards need to be able to read people, the only way that you as a
bodyguard will be able to effectively read a person or their possible intentions is to
observe them, armed with knowledge of how do people act and how do they act

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under different circumstances. By reading books on psychology, sociology and
human behaviour we can learn most of these skills. These kinds of courses are
offered by most community colleges or there are countless books that can be
purchased that deal with these topics. Again, this is the responsibility of the
individual bodyguard to take the initiative to acquire these basic bodyguarding skills.

Bodyguards need to completely understand all the different roles, different

types of Bosses, different types of intruders and how to effectively deal with
them all.

In Michael J. Franklin’s book “Bodyguards - How to Protect Others – The Players and
their roles” ISBN: 978-3-941101-02-9 it extensively covers all the different kinds of
bosses that you could possibly protect, the different levels of protection, the special
handling instructions, the advantages and disadvantages of them all. If you
understand who you are working to protect it makes your job that much easier to fit
into their world and ultimately be more effective.

If you do your threat assessments correctly and you have identified the threat you will
know the kind of Intruder or Intruders that you could possible face. Naturally, there
are many different kinds of possible intruders, each with their own set of problems
and handling instructions. It’s therefore paramount in importance that bodyguards be
totally aware of the different kinds of intruders and how to effectively deal with them.
“If you know yourself and you know your enemy, you will be victorious at every
encounter!” Tzun Zu.

Understanding the basic principles of man-management, micro-management

and crisis management.

Whether you as a bodyguard are working alone or as part of a team you have to be
able to organise your time and activities effectively. In the event that you are working
in a team, your being able to understand how the team functions and operates is
important…after all you are part of it and understanding it is necessary. Having the
ability to delegate responsibility is also an important factor for bodyguards, micro

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managing and delegating jobs and responsibilities is a big part as well. For those of
you who are working alone you will need to have this skill to get others to help you.
The example of the parking lot attendant can help you by being responsible for his
area and reporting to you any irregularities. In the event that something happens you
as a bodyguard are going to be required to act in a crisis situation. Remaining calm,
cool and collected is in control. “It’s very difficult to keep your head when everyone
around you is loosing theirs-Kippling”. However, you should understand that many
people hire bodyguards for confidence and reassurance. The very last thing they
want or more importantly need is their bodyguard loosing it. Therefore, sometimes
doing nothing and remaining calm is the proper action.

Understanding event security and event close protection principles and

procedures.

Working as a bodyguard you will quickly discover that the people you are protecting
routinely and regularly attend many different types of event, at many different security
levels, at many different locations with other VIPs and people who need protecting.
It’s paramount of importance that bodyguards understand all the different kinds of
events that there are and what security procedures are in effect at each event.
Remember, although your Boss may regularly attend events, no two are ever the
same. To find our more about the different kinds of events and security systems that
are used see Bodyguards – How to Protect Others A.T.I.S. Individual Security
Concepts for Close Protection”

Knowing and understanding the basic principles of how to properly assess

threat and how to complete comprehensive threat assessments on people,
locations and events.

If we as bodyguards ever hope to deter or discourage an attack against those we are

protecting, we must first understand what the threat is. We need to know as much as
humanly possible about the people who are posing the threat to your Boss, how
vulnerable the Boss is to the threat and what security countermeasures can be
realistically implemented to counteract the vulnerabilities. In plan language, we have

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to evaluate what the problem is and come up with solutions. It’s very unlikely that
you can plan for the correct type and amount of protection for the Boss, unless the
exact type and strength of the threat is known and established. As budgets are
always a primary concern, money for defensive measures will be a problem. It’s
therefore paramount in importance that money not be wasted but, instead used on
the essentials. The Boss cannot be protected from all possibilities „100 percent
security doesn’t exist! “ But they can be protected from the most likely dangers.

The Threat Profile

The main purpose of establishing a threat profile is to identify possible attackers and
to identify their characteristics. If we possess specific information about our
adversaries, the threat profile can be more exact, but unfortunately, this is rarely the
case. Instead, threat profiles define the characteristics of the probable attackers. A
threat profile starts with basic facts:

Is there a known threat?

Is there a perceived threat?

Or is there simply a desire of your Boss to have bodyguards, status symbol over and
above what the Boss already has in place?

If there is a known threat, there may be indicators as to whom or what is the threat. If
we know who the threat is, there is a good chance that we may also establish their
numbers, equipment, methods, training, skills and their determination to carry out on
their threats. All information gained about a suspected threat must be analysed:

How was the threat received?

Is it known who sent it?

Does the threat indicate or contain the motivation of the sender?

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Does it have any information as to how the threat will be carried out?

Was the threat send to an individual, family, Company, Corporation or a general

threat?

Understanding the topic of stalkers and stalking

As a modern bodyguard stalkers are going to be part of your everyday life when
accompanying high profile Bosses. It is therefore, important that bodyguards know
and understand what the different kinds of stalkers are (there are differences), the
tactics and the methods that they employ in getting close to their intended targets or
victims and how to effectively deal with them. This topic is covered in great detail in
Bodyguards – How to Protect Others – The Players and their roles.

Knowing and understanding how to complete a site security survey

Understanding how to complete a site security survey is one of the cornerstones in

the building of sound and complete bodyguarding skills. All those who people who
end up working as close protection team leaders will at one point or another need
these skills. It’s important to know what security measures it takes to protect homes,
offices and facilities from the threats that you and your potential Boss could face. It
also helps when you are called upon to give an expert opinion on what security
measures are needed during a construction phase of any building. Bodyguards need
these skills also to understand what it takes for a potential intruder to gain access to
whatever it is you’re trying to protect. Therefore, it helps the bodyguard in two ways;
they help make the Boss safer from unwanted intrusion and harm and at the same
time the bodyguard understand the weaknesses in their own security system.

Knowing and understanding how to complete a site security survey

As a bodyguard knowing and understanding the basics of physical security and being
able to complete and report to your Boss presently a comprehensive site security

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analysis or survey will raise you to another level in the bodyguarding industry. Being
able to advise people on the kinds of doors, window, alarms systems and building
designs that will make them sleep easier and feel safer is not a skill that many
bodyguards have.

Knowing and being able to effectively plan your Boss’s trip to any event or
location to the highest level of the most threatened person attending

Advanced planning is a must in close protection at any level. Knowing how to

prepare and what information to gather to plan your Boss’ trip to any location should
be standard procedures. However, there are so many people who work as
bodyguards and don’t even have the slightest idea how to plan their Boss’ trip or
what information that they need. In Bodyguards – How to Protect Others – Book two,
advanced planning and security advance party duties and responsibilities are
covered in painstaking detail. Therefore, if you don’t know or would like to sharpen
up your advance planning skills this chapter is a mandatory read. In addition, for
those who aren’t certain what kinds of security concepts are used for the different
events, Bodyguard – How to protect others A.T.I.S. Individual Security Concepts
book will provide you with vital security systems that will make you and your
bodyguarding life easier and make you a far more important asset to your Boss or
their organisation.

Understanding building design and security related technologies for homes,

offices and vehicles

Bodyguards protect people who themselves are very successful and financially well
off. Most people who hire bodyguards have homes, offices and vehicles that take
them from one to the other. The days are long gone where prominent people move
into houses and offices without any advance planning on how they will protect their
families, staff and property. Therefore, modern bodyguards need to be up on the
latest building designs and how the security related technologies work. If you don’t
know how digital Close Circuit Television Systems (CCTV) works, how to maintain

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them and how to strategically place cameras to be most effective…learn! The same
applies for alarm and entry control systems. There are many books on these topics
and some community colleges offer night classes on security systems installation and
maintenance. Vehicle security technologies are extremely advanced today. If your
Boss has one of the many different “Specially Prepared – Armoured Cars”. You need
to contact the company that made the vehicle you are using and they will be more
that happy to give you, your Boss and your team in-depth training on the vehicle you
have and all the special features that have been installed in it. If you as a bodyguard
use armoured cars it is paramount in important that you fully understand exactly how
these pieces of modern hi-tech machines work. If you don’t they could easily
become steel coffins.

Understanding basic fire fighting techniques and procedures. Understanding

fire alarm systems and how home, office and facility sprinkler systems function

Bodyguards are hired for when things go wrong and immediate help is needed.
Bodyguards need to know that most accidents occur in and around the home. We
can all think of some incident that involved fire that has occurred in our lives.
Therefore, it’s very important that bodyguard understand the basic principles of fire
and how to fight smaller forms of it. Bodyguards need to know the differences in fire
extinguishers and where and how to use the different kinds. Bodyguards should also
know emergency fire procedures or be able to establish easy to follow evacuation
procedures when starting a new contract. Most people think of emergency fire
procedures but don’t do anything to educate their children or families until a fire starts
and its too late. Bodyguards shouldn’t insist on emergency evacuations plans, at the
beginning of new contracts, but addressing the topic makes the bodyguard look good
in the eyes of the Boss or the Boss’ family that they are thinking about the family’s
health and safety. Depending on where are working in the world there are some
countries that have laws requiring the use of smoke and sprinkler systems in homes
and offices. Bodyguards should know and understand how these systems function
and how to shut them off. For those of you who feel that this isn’t for bodyguards,
again…it’s your attitude that gets you to the next level. Yes, fighting fire and
understanding fire systems really isn’t your main priority…but your Boss’ safety is,

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and this is why these skills are important. If you are fortunate enough to have the
feeling that your Boss knows that whatever situation occurs that they have total faith
in your abilities to deal with them…you become a very valuable part of your Boss’
organisation. This is exactly the position that you would like to find yourself in.

Being physically fit and maintaining a regular physical fitness program

A professional bodyguard simply has to be physically fit. There just is no way around
this fact. To be able to effectively protect others you will need the physical strength
and fitness to be able to carry your Boss or a member of their family vast distances if
needed. Bodyguards have to be in control of their own lives, fitness and appearance.
Otherwise, if you were to show up at some job interview as a fat out of physical
shape large person…you just aren’t going to be received in a serious or positive light.
This doesn’t mean to say that extremely large people don’t or can’t make good
bodyguards. Appearances are very influential in bodyguarding.

Being competent in the use of small arms and all defensive weapons that
bodyguards use

The use of personal weapons in bodyguarding is that all legal self-defence weaponry
are used and accepted. Again, the actual role you are fulfilling, the Boss you are
protecting, the threat level against them and the area of the world that you are
working in will all determine what defensive weapons you will need to protect the
Boss. Given all these factors, bodyguards have to be totally proficient in the safe
uses and storage procedures of all weapons and equipment. When using weapons
bodyguards not only need to know how to shot, but also to clean, maintain and repair
in emergencies. There are a couple of different categories of weapons and
equipment used by bodyguards. The first and most famous are the small arms.
Pistols and revolvers are widely used and it really doesn’t matter which you use.
Firearms are a personal thing, with everyone having different tastes and preferences.
The use of other pieces of equipment, personal body armour, flashlights, knives,

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radios, telephones, personal alarm systems etc. The proficient uses of these pieces
of equipment are the individual responsibility of every bodyguard.

These then are most of the skills that a professional bodyguard needs to make it to
the upper levels of the profession. So the next time you see a very prominent
personality, look at the people around them, it’s a very good chance that there are
one or more people who possess the skills that I have listed above.

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