BODY GUARD
Submitted by Templar Titan on Mon, 04/19/2004 - 03:53.
YOU SAVED MY LIFE. I AM FOREVER IN YOUR BEBT. HOW CAN I EVER REPAY YOU?
This is what most people think of when they hear the term "Bodyguard". The term ‘bodyguard" has to be one of the sexiest job titles in the work place today, but in reality very few understand what this profession is all about. Every time I hear the word "bodyguard", I think of Kevin Costner leaping across the stage as an assassin fires his pistol, which was built into a video camera, no less, at Whitney Houston. Of course, the title of this very successful and entertaining major motion picture was "The Bodyguard". However, it should be needless to say that life does not imitate art. The fact is, being a bodyguard is anything but sexy. It is more complicated than being a personal guard. Truly, being a "Protective Services Specialist", formally known as "bodyguard", is one of the most physically and mentally challenging jobs that exist. Such high demands are placed on us that most people don't even attempt to do what is required to be a professional and successful protective services specialist. To fulfill the requirements within this business you need to conduct yourself in a manner far beyond that of any other security or police field. I am able to state this with confidence because I have had the honor of working with police officers and deputy sheriffs from some of the largest cities in the United States. These men took a leave of absence form their departments and spent a year with me in a high-risk environment protecting a US Ambassador. What made this job more difficult than being a law enforcement officer in the US was the lack of jurisdiction, authority and control each police officer was accustomed to. There were no more badges, fellow officers, or support mechanisms that every man had at the touch of a Code 13 panic button on his radio.
We all had to learn new customs, courtesies, and the tempo of that country. We were required to observe and quickly adhere to the driving techniques of that region, as absurd as they looked to us. All the traffic laws, yielding to on coming traffic, and the concept of "right of away" had to be left behind in the US. Those traffic laws that we grew up with and observed in the US did not apply in that region of the world. Remember, "you are in someone else's world and you are just passing through". The reasoning behind how the residents of that country drive makes perfect sense to them. Generally if you were involved in an accident while in a foreign country, just look in the mirror and it will be obvious who is at fault.
There were also language barriers to contend with. The fact that tensions were high because of the armed conflict that had been ongoing for years. The water restrictions that did not allow for showers before 6am and after 10pm. Based on 18 hour workdays, we were rarely able to fit our water usage within those times. This also made it difficult to wash our laundry, which resulted in us having to stretch out wearing our clothes for as long as possible.
Add to these inconveniences the fact that we did not have heat during frigid winter months, which were quite cold, made drying clothes a lengthy process. It was so cold in the morning that I met one of my team mates coming out of his room wearing long johns, a Gortex coat, and his black watch cap that he had slept in all night.
I will never forget the night I sat on an outside patio in front of a restaurant while my boss and his staff ate inside. There were no other seats available in the restaurant and we could not get our vehicles in close enough proximity to observe the party, so sitting outside was the only option. For almost five hours I sat, in the dead of winter, pretending to be useful while becoming very intimate with the Gortex jacket I was wearing. Every once in a while, I would see the condensation being wiped away from the inside of the windshield of my vehicle as a team member checked on me. I watched the temperature drop on my personal camping thermometer to well below freezing. Very infrequently, the owner of the restaurant would send someone out with a cup of coffee. Bad coffee, but a warm and welcome addition to my hands and internal parts. I can share a good laugh about it now, but that night was not fun at all.
These are just a few things that I have experienced over my years of doing this job, all of which have occurred internationally.
The question one would ask at this point is: WHY?
I have found that the challenges working in high-risk and unstable areas worldwide are greater, and the personal satisfaction based on success, for me, is incomparable with what I have experienced stateside. And yes, the money tends to be better. However, I would caution anyone from getting into this business, especially internationally, just to chase the all mighty dollar. That is why I touched on some hardships that go along with this career. It is never perfect; it is acceptable at best. When you are working in an overseas environment and the company that employs you is located in the US, there is the chance that there will be a serious lack of logistical and administrative support. This situation is not completely the fault of your employer because your employees has to work through international law, export agreements, sanctions, the type of relationship the US has with the country you are working in, contractual issues and constraints, and the list goes on. The most common problem I have experienced with international work is pay problems. Nothing is more frustrating to you and your family than counting on that paycheck to make ends meet, and it is several days, or even weeks, past due.
The time spent away from your family puts a tremendous strain on relationships. Even the best of marriages go through rough times when you are operating away from home for an extended period of time. It becomes very difficult to keep in touch via phone connection, snail mail or even email when working in unstable regions of the globe. At times I had hoped to use the US military posts in the region I was operating in, but the APO military mail system is not set up for civilian users. It is a little less dramatic when working stateside, but the frequent or extended periods of separation are sill realized.
So what is it that attracts so many wanting to become Protective Services Specialists in overseas missions? First of all, it is a huge and growing industry. Unfortunately, because of certain individuals and groups, the world is not a nice place to live. If it were, we would not be able to do this type of work and make a good living.
Today, more than ever, there are CEO's, wealthy families, dignitaries, VIP's, government officials, and so on, that are having their lives or their families' lives threatened daily. History has shown that kidnapping and assassinations have not decreased as much as one would have hoped.
Because of fanaticism of those conducting crimes against individuals, the challenges of keeping someone safe, when others want to harm him or her, is the driving force behind my doing this job.
The fast pace changes throughout the day, and you fulfill the tasks associated with those challenges as quickly as they come. You must always be aware that while operating in high-risk environments, there are elements that are conducting surveillance against you in the hope of exploiting any weakness in the protection you are providing. The constant and real challenge of locating that surveillance either at the residence, along the route driven, or at the office, keeps things in perspective. In a foreign environment, you must report that surveillance to the US Embassy in that region, substantiated with digital photography, video, license plate numbers and description of personnel. You must then have the Embassy personnel act on your information because they see the potential for harm, and you must insure that they report what you have provided back to Washington. The self-gratification comes from knowing that with this information, you could have just deterred a potential attempt on your principal's life, not to mention the potential harm to you and the team members you are working with.
With the increasing need for professional protective services detail members, there are awesome possibilities available to those that are serious and are willing to put the time and effort into this profession. Following are a couple things to think about.
This industry is not about sunglasses and biceps. The fact that you have a martial arts background and are well versed in "Zhua She Tou" should not give you in the impression that you will be successful, or even accepted, in the protective services industry. Certainly any combative skills you possess will be beneficial, but are not necessarily the pre-cursor for success. How many overbearing body builders do you see on the president's detail, compared to how many who are simply true professionals in their field?
The fact that you are an accomplished shooter should not be the first thing a potential employer reads when he receives your resume. Those that lead off with, "I am a good shot" are stating that their security awareness begins and ends at the muzzle. You should have the mindset that any confrontation is bad and should be avoided. You need to be proactive to be successful, not reactive. Most times being reactive hurts too much. The risk of personal injury and death increases tremendously if you have to fight.
What you should be thinking about and focusing on is surveillance detection (SD), attack recognition, identifying potential attack sites along your routes, all to be discussed in pre-movement briefs conducted before each motorcade movement. These are the things that are going to keep your principal alive and the bad guys looking at other potential targets.
To understand the subject matter involved in becoming a protective services detail member takes professional schooling, initial training, as well as continuation training, and experience. Additionally, this is very much a personality driven career and I would say that maturity, both personal and professional, is the most important trait one needs. There is nothing worse than spending long, stressful hours working and sometimes living in the same accommodations for long periods of time with someone who is unprofessional, a showoff, self-serving, or acts in manner embarrassing to the principal or the company he is working for. It affects the morale and effectiveness of the team, and he will probable be finished in this industry very quickly. It is a small community and the word gets around fast. Also, I cannot over-stress the importance of being a team player. Everyone should be working towards the same common goal: "to support your principal, team and company to the best of your ability." Be more than just a knuckle dragger. Work on and develop diplomatic and interpersonal skills. How you interact with your principal's staff is extremely important because they support you.
When working within the international community, you may team with a wide variety of employees from different cultures, countries, religious beliefs, and ethnic backgrounds. There may be potential animosity towards you because of the country you represent. Taking the time to learn the local language says a lot about your personality: that you want to put the effort and time into learning about the people and region in which you are working. I guarantee you that it will be well received by the local national employees and by your principal.
Take the time to meet the people that you will be coming in contact with daily. Do not alienate yourself from others. You need support assistance, and information that could be vital to your job and success which you will not get it if you have a standoffish or unapproachable disposition or attitude. I have seen it happen within the makeup of the team itself, and you can bet the principal will see it also.
Being a team player and having a mature professional attitude will help make you very successful, but first you need to be hired and given the chance to prove yourself. This is where the professional schooling, training, and experience, and the backing of a good company are needed. The required background, years of experience, and required training will most likely vary depending on what person, company, or agency you aspire to work for.
In future articles I will discuss training, equipment, operations, and other subject matter that would be required to be hired by a company fulfilling PSD contracts in high-risk environments. We here at Blackwater believe that for us to be successful, those around us need to be.
Protective Security Specific Experience
Brian Bonfiglio joined Blackwater USA in September 2003 as Program Manager for Ambassador L. Paul Bremer's personal security detail in Baghdad, Iraq. This came after a successful five-year operational deployment to Bosnia Herzegovina in which he served the diplomatic community. Following the signing of the Dayton Peace Agreement that ended the Bosnian war, Mr. Bonfiglio deployed to Bosnia and Herzegovina and was tasked with setting up three Ambassadorial Details, which are still deployed to the region, including the capital city of Sarajevo. He spent over five years operational in the Balkans and was directly responsible for every aspect of security as the Detail Leader (AIC) to the US Ambassador tasked with implementing the Dayton Peace Agreement. Mr. Bonfiglio has served four US Ambassadors in an exemplary and noted manner, and still advises current Team Leaders on operational and security related matters for Bosnia, Croatia, and Serbia.
In September of 2002 Mr. Bonfiglio was the lead protective services instructor for security team members traveling to Afghanistan tasked with protecting Afghan President, Hamid Karzai. Before doing so Brian received his credentialing through a Dept of State, Diplomatic Security Services, "High-Risk Protection Operations Course".
BODY GUARD
By Brian Bonfiglio
Blackwater
YOU SAVED MY LIFE. I AM FOREVER IN YOUR BEBT. HOW CAN I EVER REPAY YOU?
This is what most people think of when they hear the
term "Bodyguard". The term 'bodyguard" has to be one
of the sexiest job titles in the work place today, but in
reality very few understand what this profession is all
about. Every time I hear the word "bodyguard", I think
of Kevin Costner leaping across the stage as an
assassin fires his pistol, which was built into a video
camera, no less, at Whitney Houston. Of course, the
title of this very successful and entertaining major
motion picture was "The Bodyguard". However, it
should be needless to say that life does not imitate
art.
Bodyguard
YOU SAVED MY LIFE. I AM FOREVER IN YOUR BEBT. HOW CAN I EVER REPAY YOU?
This is what most people think of when they hear the term "Bodyguard". The term ‘bodyguard" has to be one of the sexiest job titles in the work place today, but in reality very few understand what this profession is all about. Every time I hear the word "bodyguard", I think of Kevin Costner leaping across the stage as an assassin fires his pistol, which was built into a video camera, no less, at Whitney Houston. Of course, the title of this very successful and entertaining major motion picture was "The Bodyguard". However, it should be needless to say that life does not imitate art. The fact is, being a bodyguard is anything but sexy. It is more complicated than being a personal guard. Truly, being a "Protective Services Specialist", formally known as "bodyguard", is one of the most physically and mentally challenging jobs that exist. Such high demands are placed on us that most people don't even attempt to do what is required to be a professional and successful protective services specialist. To fulfill the requirements within this business you need to conduct yourself in a manner far beyond that of any other security or police field. I am able to state this with confidence because I have had the honor of working with police officers and deputy sheriffs from some of the largest cities in the United States. These men took a leave of absence form their departments and spent a year with me in a high-risk environment protecting a US Ambassador. What made this job more difficult than being a law enforcement officer in the US was the lack of jurisdiction, authority and control each police officer was accustomed to. There were no more badges, fellow officers, or support mechanisms that every man had at the touch of a Code 13 panic button on his radio.
We all had to learn new customs, courtesies, and the tempo of that country. We were required to observe and quickly adhere to the driving techniques of that region, as absurd as they looked to us. All the traffic laws, yielding to on coming traffic, and the concept of "right of away" had to be left behind in the US. Those traffic laws that we grew up with and observed in the US did not apply in that region of the world. Remember, "you are in someone else's world and you are just passing through". The reasoning behind how the residents of that country drive makes perfect sense to them. Generally if you were involved in an accident while in a foreign country, just look in the mirror and it will be obvious who is at fault.
There were also language barriers to contend with. The fact that tensions were high because of the armed conflict that had been ongoing for years. The water restrictions that did not allow for showers before 6am and after 10pm. Based on 18 hour workdays, we were rarely able to fit our water usage within those times. This also made it difficult to wash our laundry, which resulted in us having to stretch out wearing our clothes for as long as possible.
Add to these inconveniences the fact that we did not have heat during frigid winter months, which were quite cold, made drying clothes a lengthy process. It was so cold in the morning that I met one of my team mates coming out of his room wearing long johns, a Gortex coat, and his black watch cap that he had slept in all night.
I will never forget the night I sat on an outside patio in front of a restaurant while my boss and his staff ate inside. There were no other seats available in the restaurant and we could not get our vehicles in close enough proximity to observe the party, so sitting outside was the only option. For almost five hours I sat, in the dead of winter, pretending to be useful while becoming very intimate with the Gortex jacket I was wearing. Every once in a while, I would see the condensation being wiped away from the inside of the windshield of my vehicle as a team member checked on me. I watched the temperature drop on my personal camping thermometer to well below freezing. Very infrequently, the owner of the restaurant would send someone out with a cup of coffee. Bad coffee, but a warm and welcome addition to my hands and internal parts. I can share a good laugh about it now, but that night was not fun at all.
These are just a few things that I have experienced over my years of doing this job, all of which have occurred internationally.
The question one would ask at this point is: WHY?
I have found that the challenges working in high-risk and unstable areas worldwide are greater, and the personal satisfaction based on success, for me, is incomparable with what I have experienced stateside. And yes, the money tends to be better. However, I would caution anyone from getting into this business, especially internationally, just to chase the all mighty dollar. That is why I touched on some hardships that go along with this career. It is never perfect; it is acceptable at best. When you are working in an overseas environment and the company that employs you is located in the US, there is the chance that there will be a serious lack of logistical and administrative support. This situation is not completely the fault of your employer because your employees has to work through international law, export agreements, sanctions, the type of relationship the US has with the country you are working in, contractual issues and constraints, and the list goes on. The most common problem I have experienced with international work is pay problems. Nothing is more frustrating to you and your family than counting on that paycheck to make ends meet, and it is several days, or even weeks, past due.
The time spent away from your family puts a tremendous strain on relationships. Even the best of marriages go through rough times when you are operating away from home for an extended period of time. It becomes very difficult to keep in touch via phone connection, snail mail or even email when working in unstable regions of the globe. At times I had hoped to use the US military posts in the region I was operating in, but the APO military mail system is not set up for civilian users. It is a little less dramatic when working stateside, but the frequent or extended periods of separation are sill realized.
So what is it that attracts so many wanting to become Protective Services Specialists in overseas missions? First of all, it is a huge and growing industry. Unfortunately, because of certain individuals and groups, the world is not a nice place to live. If it were, we would not be able to do this type of work and make a good living.
Today, more than ever, there are CEO's, wealthy families, dignitaries, VIP's, government officials, and so on, that are having their lives or their families' lives threatened daily. History has shown that kidnapping and assassinations have not decreased as much as one would have hoped.
Because of fanaticism of those conducting crimes against individuals, the challenges of keeping someone safe, when others want to harm him or her, is the driving force behind my doing this job.
The fast pace changes throughout the day, and you fulfill the tasks associated with those challenges as quickly as they come. You must always be aware that while operating in high-risk environments, there are elements that are conducting surveillance against you in the hope of exploiting any weakness in the protection you are providing. The constant and real challenge of locating that surveillance either at the residence, along the route driven, or at the office, keeps things in perspective. In a foreign environment, you must report that surveillance to the US Embassy in that region, substantiated with digital photography, video, license plate numbers and description of personnel. You must then have the Embassy personnel act on your information because they see the potential for harm, and you must insure that they report what you have provided back to Washington. The self-gratification comes from knowing that with this information, you could have just deterred a potential attempt on your principal's life, not to mention the potential harm to you and the team members you are working with.
With the increasing need for professional protective services detail members, there are awesome possibilities available to those that are serious and are willing to put the time and effort into this profession. Following are a couple things to think about.
This industry is not about sunglasses and biceps. The fact that you have a martial arts background and are well versed in "Zhua She Tou" should not give you in the impression that you will be successful, or even accepted, in the protective services industry. Certainly any combative skills you possess will be beneficial, but are not necessarily the pre-cursor for success. How many overbearing body builders do you see on the president's detail, compared to how many who are simply true professionals in their field?
The fact that you are an accomplished shooter should not be the first thing a potential employer reads when he receives your resume. Those that lead off with, "I am a good shot" are stating that their security awareness begins and ends at the muzzle. You should have the mindset that any confrontation is bad and should be avoided. You need to be proactive to be successful, not reactive. Most times being reactive hurts too much. The risk of personal injury and death increases tremendously if you have to fight.
What you should be thinking about and focusing on is surveillance detection (SD), attack recognition, identifying potential attack sites along your routes, all to be discussed in pre-movement briefs conducted before each motorcade movement. These are the things that are going to keep your principal alive and the bad guys looking at other potential targets.
To understand the subject matter involved in becoming a protective services detail member takes professional schooling, initial training, as well as continuation training, and experience. Additionally, this is very much a personality driven career and I would say that maturity, both personal and professional, is the most important trait one needs. There is nothing worse than spending long, stressful hours working and sometimes living in the same accommodations for long periods of time with someone who is unprofessional, a showoff, self-serving, or acts in manner embarrassing to the principal or the company he is working for. It affects the morale and effectiveness of the team, and he will probable be finished in this industry very quickly. It is a small community and the word gets around fast. Also, I cannot over-stress the importance of being a team player. Everyone should be working towards the same common goal: "to support your principal, team and company to the best of your ability." Be more than just a knuckle dragger. Work on and develop diplomatic and interpersonal skills. How you interact with your principal's staff is extremely important because they support you.
When working within the international community, you may team with a wide variety of employees from different cultures, countries, religious beliefs, and ethnic backgrounds. There may be potential animosity towards you because of the country you represent. Taking the time to learn the local language says a lot about your personality: that you want to put the effort and time into learning about the people and region in which you are working. I guarantee you that it will be well received by the local national employees and by your principal.
Take the time to meet the people that you will be coming in contact with daily. Do not alienate yourself from others. You need support assistance, and information that could be vital to your job and success which you will not get it if you have a standoffish or unapproachable disposition or attitude. I have seen it happen within the makeup of the team itself, and you can bet the principal will see it also.
Being a team player and having a mature professional attitude will help make you very successful, but first you need to be hired and given the chance to prove yourself. This is where the professional schooling, training, and experience, and the backing of a good company are needed. The required background, years of experience, and required training will most likely vary depending on what person, company, or agency you aspire to work for.
In future articles I will discuss training, equipment, operations, and other subject matter that would be required to be hired by a company fulfilling PSD contracts in high-risk environments. We here at Blackwater believe that for us to be successful, those around us need to be.
Protective Security Specific Experience
Brian Bonfiglio joined Blackwater USA in September 2003 as Program Manager for Ambassador L. Paul Bremer's personal security detail in Baghdad, Iraq. This came after a successful five-year operational deployment to Bosnia Herzegovina in which he served the diplomatic community. Following the signing of the Dayton Peace Agreement that ended the Bosnian war, Mr. Bonfiglio deployed to Bosnia and Herzegovina and was tasked with setting up three Ambassadorial Details, which are still deployed to the region, including the capital city of Sarajevo. He spent over five years operational in the Balkans and was directly responsible for every aspect of security as the Detail Leader (AIC) to the US Ambassador tasked with implementing the Dayton Peace Agreement. Mr. Bonfiglio has served four US Ambassadors in an exemplary and noted manner, and still advises current Team Leaders on operational and security related matters for Bosnia, Croatia, and Serbia.
In September of 2002 Mr. Bonfiglio was the lead protective services instructor for security team members traveling to Afghanistan tasked with protecting Afghan President, Hamid Karzai. Before doing so Brian received his credentialing through a Dept of State, Diplomatic Security Services, "High-Risk Protection Operations Course".
