Close protection and personal protection are two of the phrases most associated with a bodyguard job.
You have to be prepared to risk life and limb if you are serious about pursuing a career as a personal guard.
There are so many people who require the services of a security professional to ensure their safety.
Movie stars, politicians, musicians, the very wealthy, all these and more have a great need for personal protection.
It is true that bodyguards can earn a significant amount of money for the services they provide, but there are some things you need to consider if you are thinking about entering this particular sector of the security industry.
1.
You need to be in excellent physical shape.
You need to have the strength, endurance, and stamina to deal with potential threats to your employer, whether that threat is merely an annoying photographer or a would-be assassin.
2.
You need to add to your repertoire of skills.
Bodyguarding involves more than just looking intimidating.
You will find that you will need to become an expert in things like very fast, evasive driving and the skilled use of firearms.
Becoming an expert in defensive techniques such as martial arts is also an asset.
3.
Be prepared to curtail or reduce your social activities.
Being a personal protection operative can involve significant amounts of time and travel.
Your working hours can be prolonged and irregular, so expect to have less time for personal activities like dating or everyday family stuff.
To become a qualified bodyguard, you need to take specialized courses at reputable organizations.
Even if you have a background in law enforcement or security intelligence, you will still need to take on additional specialized training to increase your chances of getting hired.
Bodyguarding can be a demanding, challenging occupation.
But as many professionals in the field can tell you, it can be a very rewarding one as well.