Selecting a Executive Protection Training Program

In keeping with past posts on EP training, I wanted to readdress what I believe to be a common misunderstanding by students looking for EP training.

 On January 14, 2024 I read a post on the Executive Protection Facebook group  https://www.facebook.com/groups/162534253764316  written by Cody Conner. In the post he writes a common question, “Looking for suggestions on a school that can train from zero to an employable EP professional”.

 Now many of the replies were the typical list of training providers, various recommendations, and references. But these didn’t address the underlying question, what school will train him from from zero to being employable. 

The answer for most people is none.

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Why, well look at the job postings and tell me what school prepares you for these jobs. 
https://www.indeed.com/q-executive-protection-jobs.html?vjk=5fe0a2788c2ca440

Job posting 1: Convoy Group

Training:
US State Department WPS graduate (or similar); Subject matter expert in EP operations; Vehicle dynamics training; Formal surveillance detection training preferred; TCCC training (or similar)

Experience:
 5+ years verifiable EP experience; 5+ years military or law enforcement experience; Combat arms, special weapons and tactics, and detective experience strongly preferred; Non-commissioned officer experience or higher preferred.

Certifications/Proficiency:
Foreign language proficiency preferred; U.S. military combatives certification (or similar) preferred; Firearms (pistol) proficiency required; MUST HAVE ACT 235 FIREARMS CERTIFICATE

Additional Requirements:
Ability to pass a firearms evaluation; 2 professional references; Ability to pass a criminal background check; 

Job posting 2. Viatris

Job Posting 3. Leidos

Job Posting 4. Edgeworth Security

You’re still looking

• Published on May 3, 2016
• Updated August 10, 2018, & October 28th, 2019

Google executive protection training, you’re going to see different training providers with different programs, so before you commit to one you really need to know what the program offers? I will try to answer that question with a dissection of a typical ad and what to look for as a student.

It begins with the title, for instance, Execution Protection Training, pretty vague, look for specifics in the title such as EP Protection Specialist Course, Security Drivers Program, etc.

Then you normally see marketing claims such as “comprehensive” “most in-depth” or “best” used to describe the program. Well, this is your invitation to really dig into their curriculum and see just how “comprehensive” they are. I mean you can read their curriculum right?

Rule of thumb, No curriculum or course description then no attendance.

Marketing vs. Information

 Is the training provider giving an in-depth description and detailed look at the curriculum and the length of the class?  This varies from three to seven days normally, so look carefully at the day/hour ratio and avoid courses with less than an 8 hour day. 

 Be careful at this point because days of training are not the same as hours of training. A full day of training should be 8 full hours at least with some exceptions. So seven days should be 60-70 hours of training. The Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Personal Protection Specialist program, for example, mandates 60 hours of training. So when you see three-day intensive training from 8 am to 2 pm that’s a seminar, not a course.

Accredited Programs Must Follow Strict Guidelines on Training

 DCJS and the North Carolina PPSB regulations require schools to adhere to their standards of training, DCJS for instance mandates that “Classroom instruction shall be provided in no less than 50-minute classes, or “blocks”. “Training sessions shall not exceed nine hours of classroom instruction per day”. 

So when you look at a training program ask “do you meet the state requirements for training” (if any).  If you’re told “we have our own standards and qualifications based on personal experience walk away”.  And don’t be afraid to ask a hiring manager if the school your considering will meet the requirements for the job.

Curriculums and Marketing

Now let’s take a look at a fictional program that could be marketed online. Three days of EP training, three days of medical training, and three days on the track driving. Hmm, well stealing a quote from the movies, “what we have here is a failure to communicate” 

Warning: This is not an executive protection training course, this is a three-day seminar on EP operations, with CPR qualification/recertification, TCCC medical training, and a driver’s course thrown in. This is not a training program that will fully prepare you to work in the EP field but it may check the block for a few requirements.

 In fact, there isn’t a program under 30 days that really prepares you for full executive protection operations.  But this type of program is a great way to get an overview of what EP skills you will need to master to make it in this field, and these programs are also a great way to get continuing education credits once trained so don’t completely ignore them.

So What Does “Right Look Like”

Instead of a buffet with a little of this and that, if you are really serious about the EP profession look for a training program that has a curriculum designed around specific skill sets, conditions, and standards directly related to an employers requirements. 

 The ISA training program, for instance, is 32 days long, broken into 8 different modules. EP seven days/70 hours; Drivers training four days/ 40+ hours; Medical training three days/ 30+ hours; Surveillance (detection, counter-surveillance) three days/ 30 hours; Use of force (range and non-lethal) five days/ 50 hours of training; Terrorism awareness two days/20 hours; Live EP (scenario-based) eight days/80 hours.

 What many good training providers have long realized is most students don’t have the time and money for 32 days of dedicated and focused training, so they will schedule their different modules over the course of a year. Select International has a well respected five-day program that is followed by its advanced EP course. There are also some programs that cater to the GI Bill or vocational training that may run for 30+ days, but care should be taken to prepare your family for the bills that don’t stop while you’re in class and for your absence. How are the kids getting to school when you’re gone?    

What other industry leaders think: In May 2016 A peer within the industry correctly pointed out in an article that training needs to be “Realistic, relevant and practical” so when you review the curriculum of a training program look at the topics, are they focused on executive protection and do they make sense. Should you really need to attend executive protection training to learn to swim? 

What Should I be Learning Then?

 What should an EP course cover? well, what are the conditions you’re going to be operating in after graduating? Are you hoping for a corporate EP position or going to Iraq? At a minimum, you should learn how to prepare threat assessments, know how to conduct open-source intelligence gathering, know how to conduct an advance and site survey, know how to plan an EP mission based on the threat assessment, how to prepare a movement plan and conduct arrival and departure procedures.

Note** Foot movement techniques are a staple of EP training but a day of walking around in a “diamond” formation is a waste of time.

 Surveillance detection is a must, and also look for programs with an introduction to cybersecurity, mobile IT, and the use of drones. Finally, you need to put all your training to use in a live exercise under real-world conditions.  @executiveprotectiontraining

“What no weapons, multi-day medical or driver training?”

 Yes & No.

 All of these topics are specialized programs of instruction that require special training facilities, subject matter experts, and highly qualified instructors, and should be days or weeks in length. Each should be available as a totally separate module of training. So seek drivers training from SM professionals, medical training certified with the state or nationally, and weapons training specific to EP work.

 Just remember the short classes are a buffet, you may only get some medical, some weapons, and some drivers training. The shorter classes are a great way to get an overview and really help a lot of students decide what type of EP work they want to specialize in. For experienced agents, these programs can serve as an “in-service” or refresher program as well. But they may not lead to a certification or meet an employers requirements.   

Accredited VS. Non-Accredited: We have addressed the title, length of training, and curriculum so let’s look at a cost-benefit analysis. The tuition for seven days is say, $1000.00, you get 60 hours of training and a certificate.

 But this program doesn’t meet your state or a prospective employers requirements for training, you’re still going to need additional training to be able to get your state license. You may want to consider walking away, what good is training that doesn’t meet an established standard or help with licensing. 

 If you don’t have a state requirement ask the hiring managers of the EP companies what they require.
What does your insurance company or attorney recommend to keep your liability down in the event of an “incident”? 

Options.

 You find a course that meets the Virginia Personal Protection Specialist or North Carolina PPSB training requirements, you may not be in Virginia or North Carolina, but you can earn the PPS designation or NC state EP licence and your training may cover your requirements for a license in other states. For the money, you earn a state-issued official credential so not a bad deal.

 Some other programs like the ISA EP training course is also recognized for college credit towards a degree or certificate.  This can get you closer to a degree, and education crosses state lines and enhances a resume, so this program should move up on your list of choices.

 Still looking and you find another program, but this curriculum and the instructors are vetted and accredited by an official state agency or law enforcement. For instance, ISA programs are accredited by the Maryland Police Training Commission, the South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy, the North Carolina Private Security Board, and in Virginia, New Hampshire, and Georgia.  When hiring managers look at your resume, education, and training you can honestly say you graduated from a program state-approved for law enforcement or private security, and in comparison, your peers who attended a non-state accredited program may not get a second look.

 Also, for you the student it means you have the assurance the program you’re considering has been vetted and if it fails to live up to its marketing you have an avenue to file a complaint. No school wants to lose accreditation. So do a cost-benefit analysis and see what you receive from the program that will be helpful to you in the future.

Your expectations: Now we need to discuss the student’s expectations for the training course you are considering. With no previous experience, you will not be fully trained and ready to work a detail after a typical seven-day program, focused or not. Even after thirty days of intensive training with ISA, you may only be ready to serve as a rookie agent and you will still need experience.

 Another consideration for most students is job search/placement. As that goes Eric Parker and Select International has a program I understand has seen great success, but if anyone promises work read the fine print or walk away. ISA has a scholarship program that includes a mentor from a fortune 50 company to help guide you after graduation, and we have placed many of our top graduates with great companies, but we don’t offer a job placement service. Don’t confuse job placement for training, these are two totally different considerations.

 Follow on training and education is a must, so don’t think your initial training course will address all your needs. Expert focused driver training can be found at the Vehicle Dynamics Institute and medical training is available at locations nationwide. So see if your initial training provider has agreements with these specialized courses, ISA graduates receive discounts on tuition at many well-respected training centers and with institutions of higher learning.

 So keep your expectations in perspective and do your homework. Consider the overview type program that doesn’t normally offer accreditations but does introduce you to different aspects of EP work. Once you have decided EP is for you look at a focused program of instruction that offers accreditations and other resume builders.

Then if you still have questions you can always reach out to industry leaders like Eric Parker, Joe Autera, or myself for additional information.

About the Author:
Mr. Parker is currently the Chief Executive Officer of Independent Security Advisors LLC, a certified disabled veteran-owned company providing specialized training programs and dignitary & executive protection services in the United States and internationally. With over 18 years of executive and dignitary protection experience, he has been directly responsible for the close protection of international diplomats & trade delegations, corporate executives, candidates for public office, and various celebrities.

Mr. Parker serves as a special adviser to the board of MS Global LLC and to the Institutional Investors Consulting Company on matters of national and international governmental security policy, military operations, and their effect on international commerce opportunities.

Mr. Parker also serves as the Director of Training for the ISA Training Division, overseeing their programs relating to dignitary & executive protection & terrorism, and has developed training programs that were awarded state regulatory approval & law enforcement accreditation in six states, continuing education credits for private security in three states, recognized for adult continuing education credits, and received the first-ever endorsement of an executive protection training program by the International Foundation of Protection Officers.

A retired U.S. Army Senior Non-Commissioned Officer and combat veteran with more than 20 years of distinguished military service, Mr. Parker has served in a variety of protective service and instructor positions. A Department of Defense certified master instructor and state-certified law enforcement instructor, Mr. Parker is also a graduate of the Federal Law Enforcement and US Army Law Enforcement Training Academy’s.

 He has received specialized training in close protection, physical security, and counter/anti-terrorism.