– How much are your courses and where are they?
Our courses are presented at locations across the country and are available for private courses if your group meets the minimum number of students. Please follow this link below for more information: Schedule & Registration Page
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– Do you have any financing options?
Yes – contact us for more information.
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– Can I use VA Benefits to attend your course? Is your course GI Bill approved?
As we teach this course in many states, there is no direct funding method, such as by searching for approved schools and selecting ours. However, as an eligible veteran, you can utilize your GI Bill or other Veteran’s Administration funding methods for almost any courses, including ours. You can seek reimbursement for professional training and related expenses through your states approving agency or you can contact a vocational rehabilitation counselor with the US Department of Veterans Affairs in your state and discuss pursuing your career goals by attending our course and seeking sponsorship. Please ensure you accomplish this prior to paying for and attending the course if this is how you intend to fund it. Note: Our organization takes no part in this process.
For more information, please review the links below:
VA.gov Education and Training Benefits
Military.com State Veteran Education Benefits
Veterans Education Benefits by State
For more information on VocRehab, select “Pursue Your Best Opportunity’ tab:
https://www.benefits.va.gov/vocrehab/
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Make sure to read through “What EP Training Do I Need?”
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– Do you provide job placement? Post-graduate support? Hire directly?
No training provider can guarantee employment, there are simply too many variables to do so. Of all the training providers, we benchmark post-grad support as demonstrated by our Alumni resources and Jobs board. In an effort to place our students as effectively as possible, we share weekly job postings and training opportunities across the country on our blog and Facebook page. We also provide the most support to our graduates including resume’ writing support and application guidance. To research vacancies with our firm and browse our third party job postings shared on our blog – click here: Careers
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– What do I bring to the course? How do I need to dress? When do I need to be there?
If anything, just a notebook if you wish to take notes. Training materials are provided. Dress is casual, it is up to you as long as you maintain a professional appearance. A suit and tie is not required. No firearms or ammo required, unless it is for the Protective Firearms Course. Training days are typically 8:30AM-5:30PM. Some days may run late and start time may change as per the desire of the course attendees. Upon arrival the morning of the first training day, see the attendant at the front desk of the hotel for directions to the classroom. Attire for this course is completely up to you, (business casual or polo shirt and khakis is recommended) For the driving portion, if applicable – we recommend you wear similar attire and footwear to what you will wear when on the job. If this does not apply, comfortable seasonally appropriate clothing with soft sole shoes is recommended. Please prepare for inclement weather as we train in most weather conditions. We provide all training materials you will need. We also provide student handouts that are coordinated with our visual training aids in order to ensure the highest level of information retention and participation. It is also recommended that you record any questions you have and bring them to the course for discussion.
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– Do you offer private or custom courses?
Yes, we offer two distinct ways of taking advantage of our training – you can either register online for one of our scheduled courses presented across the country or with a group of 8 or more students you can contact us with your proposed dates and location and we can facilitate a custom or private course at no extra cost. If possible, you may host the course at your facility, provided you have a suitable classroom/facility for the number of students registered and type of training. Please contact us if you would like more information. Click here for a Custom Training Program Survey.
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– What do I receive at the end of the course?
An electronic certificate of completion is awarded to attendees of each program which may supplement your resume for desirability and potentially for insurance purposes. The Executive Protection course (5 day) offers a certificate of completion from us, LaSorsa & Associates. The Protective Medical Course includes our certificate, plus a CPR/AED/First-Aid certification from the American Red Cross, Stop the Bleed Certificate, and TECC Education Content Certificate. The Defensive / Evasive Driving Course offers a fundamentals certificate from us, as well as the Private Investigator, Consulting and TSCM courses offer a certificate of completion from us, LaSorsa & Associates.
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– Is there a training standard or test?
Every student in our programs will be evaluated and required to demonstrate a capability on each exercise which exceeds the minimum requirements we have established for fundamental knowledge of executive protection, emergency medical evacuation and security driving. The certificates you will receive will indicate that you have met these standards and will serve as a testament to your capabilities as a protection professional.
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– What qualifications do I need to become a bodyguard?
You need a high school diploma or GED, be at least 18 or 21 years old (depending on location), and pass a criminal background check.
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– What kind of training is required to become a bodyguard?
Training includes self-defense, first aid, firearms training, conflict resolution, and risk assessment. Advanced and specialized training may also be required.
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– Do I need a license to work as a bodyguard?
Yes, in many locations, a license is required. This usually involves passing a written test and completing a set number of training hours.
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– How long does it take to become a licensed bodyguard?
The process can take several weeks to several months, depending on the state’s requirements and the training program’s duration.
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– What skills are important for a bodyguard to have?
Important skills include physical fitness, communication, observation, and problem-solving.
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– Are there any certifications that can help me as a bodyguard?
Certifications from recognized organizations like LaSorsa and Associates can be beneficial.
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– Is previous experience in law enforcement or the military required?
While not required, experience in law enforcement or the military can be advantageous and is often preferred by employers.
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– What are the job prospects for bodyguards?
The demand for bodyguards varies based on factors like location, experience, and specialization, but there is generally a steady demand for skilled professionals in this field.
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– Do you have an Alumni group?
Yes, the restricted access section is for Alumni of one of our training programs. Our policy is to restrict job posts for at least one week in order to allow our graduates to apply. They can also advise us that they have applied and we will remove that job posting from the post. We also offer resume’ writing recommendations and application guidance to our graduates. If this applies to you, please submit a copy of your certificate, or please provide the training course and date that you attended.
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– Do I need training to be an executive protection specialist / bodyguard?
Yes, especially if you are new to the security profession. Many agencies provides training, however ensure your training is realistic and relevant. Avoid flashy and kinetic training schools which focus on tactical and weapons training unless you are working overseas in a high-threat, combat area; as you will learn this is the type of action which you should be trying to avoid at all costs.
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– Do you have a blog?
Yes: Blog – Top Posts – Jobs Board
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– Who should take this course? Is this course suitable for a nanny, executive or personal assistant, personal driver or pilot, etc.?
This course is suitable for anyone who wishes to start a career as an executive protection specialist or bodyguard, such as returning overseas security contractors, former military personnel and police & law enforcement officers, or civilians. This training is also perfectly suited for a nanny, executive or personal assistant, personal driver or pilot, etc. who wishes to be more aware of the subject to increase the safety of their client or whose client wishes them to fulfill another role.
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– Am I too old?
In my experiences, being 40+ is not a bad thing at all. The hiring pool is flooded with mid-late 20s fresh out of the military types, and to be honest, most executives and families I have been involved with prefer someone who fits in with their crowd better than a 25 year old as described above, if that makes sense. So while it is not a hindrance, you will also need the right training and certifications, and licenses.
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– Where is the most work?
Wash DC, San Fran, NYC, Los Angeles, Miami
In that order – and my input is based on the following: amount of work I have, amount of jobs I find and post on our blog, amount of our students who have had success in those areas post training and salary range
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– General Advice
The advice that I routinely offer to those looking to make the switch into EP or make their way into the industry from a fresh start is this:
Research job posts to find relevant jobs similar to what you would like to obtain. Note the job’s required and preferred qualifications so you can establish a benchmark in which to ‘check the boxes’ so to speak, and begin working towards satisfying those requirements as best you can.
Search through the vacancies we have shared and posted on our blog by clicking the ‘Careers’ button on our careers page or the ‘Jobs Board’ tab under ‘Blog’ in the nav bar. We post hundreds of jobs per year, and there is no obligation or cost to view the listings, just follow the links. The website and blog also has a search feature, so input your state or whichever keyword you’d like to search to save time.
Note: New posts may be restricted for one week to our registered Alumni, and those applied to may be removed. Careers Page
Additionally, market yourself at every opportunity; actively seek out opportunities and jobs and do good work when you get it. Focus on the following:
1. Networking: Network with everyone and through every medium. Don’t pass on any opportunity and don’t burn bridges.
2. Licenses: Get the licenses you need to provide unarmed and armed protective services in your state. This can be very affordably done through state sponsored training providers and does not need to cost you thousands of dollars. For example, there are literally hundreds of providers offering the ‘PPS’ license for Virginia for a few hundred dollars.
3. Training & Certifications: Find relevant, valuable and quality training for the job you are looking for – if you need a specific certification, make sure it is of value in your state. Most employers are seeking executive protection training, medical response certification and defensive/evasive driver training.
4. Experience: Expect to start at the bottom and work your way up. Take what you can get when you can get it for the experience and networking. Do a good job when given the opportunity – your referrals will be exponential. Stay out of the media.
The Protective Security Group is our Facebook group and we share a lot of information and advice on there as well.