JT Brown Executive Protection Training Scholarship

JT Brown Memorial Scholarship

The new ISA executive protection training scholarship program honors JT Brown, our friend, alumnus, and instructor, who passed away in May 2025. 

5/26/2025

 History:

 In 2017, a young executive protection agent reached out to us and asked if we would bring our training program to Chicago. JT Brown had graduated from other courses but wanted something state-approved, so he was told to call us. That was one of the first lessons he learned about networking because, technically, a competitor referred JT to us.  He never forgot that, and JT would work with anyone who needed him. 

 At 27 years old, JT hosted the class, arranged logistics and training sites, and coordinated with outside agencies. So off to Chicago we went, and it was a fantastic experience.  In a small classroom on the south side of Chicago, we worked together for seven days—students from the private sector, military, and law enforcement were all seated and learning together. 

A week after graduating, I received a call from the Illinois State Police Governor’s protective detail about JT. He had contacted them to coordinate his client’s event attendance and request time to advance the site.  They wanted to confirm his background, training, and status regarding the protective detail for his client.  At 27, he seemed young to be a lead agent, and I was happy to provide what information they wanted from us. 

 After the event, I again received a call from the state police to tell me how professional JT Brown was, how he provided his site survey and advance on the event site, and how the governor’s detail used parts of it for themselves.  They extended him every professional courtesy and allowed him within the protective zone around the governor with his client. 

 I wrote about this in 2017 in a social media post about JT, and I have never lost contact with him. Since then, JT has decided to drop in on training classes in North Carolina, Georgia, and Maryland as his schedule allowed a few days to catch up, talk with the students, and refresh his basics.

Recently:
In 2024, JT requested to become an ISA assistant instructor and join ISA as a private investigator. JT and I worked together to obtain his Virginia DCJS EP Instructor credentials and the required hours of training and experience on the platform. He was an assistant instructor candidate, conducting exercises, leading training, and preparing lesson plans. On June 23rd, 2025, JT was set to join us as a full assistant instructor working toward full instructor status.

JT submitted his lesson plans two weeks ago and requested his class training resources. We had a day scheduled for him to present his classes in a rehearsal and make final adjustments to his lesson plan. With his passing, the industry has lost a young man motivated to do things the right way. He made his share of mistakes and was learning as he went along. However, he was a great example to other young men and women who wanted to enter this industry.

In Honor:

So to honor JT we have established the JT Brown Memorial Scholarship. A $1000 training scholarship for new agents just beginning their own careers in executive protection.

Why?

From 2017 to 2025 we have had at least one student in every class referred by, or sent by JT.  Two weeks ago a young man preparing to join JTs company reached out to register for our next class. Previously we have had groups of three and four attend training with us, all referred by JT. 

Scholarship eligibility:

To be eligible, applicants must:

1. Be new to the executive protection (EP) industry, have not completed or attended other commercial EP training courses. Those who have just randomly attended other EP or tactical training programs need not apply
2. However, as with JT, any young agent who has completed a good program but has not attended a state-approved course, rendering them ineligible for state credentials or licenses, is welcome to apply
3. No criminal or domestic violence history 
4.  Applicants under 30 years of age. A waiver may be available with references for those changing career paths, or for those with other reasons to have not entered the industry earlier.

** Each applicant will submit a personal biography and an essay on why or how this scholarship will assist you in your career path.  

** Each applicant will be interviewed by a member of the security and EP industry to determine suitability. These are company owners, trainers and others with 20-30 years of experience. They are not ISA employees or receive compensation. These are people that knew JT, and want to ensure his scholarship goes to a deserving young or new agent.

This $1000 scholarship is specifically for men and woman new to the industry and seeking state licenses to work in the EP industry.

To Apply

Email us at mparker@eptraining to begin your application. Prepare your one page biography and one page essay on why you should be considered for this scholarship. Your interviews will be scheduled and results known in about a week.

Charity Contributions:

 In addition to this scholarship, ISA will make a donation to a charity in JTs name.