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Writer's pictureOrlando "Andy" Wilson
Sep 25, 20173 min read

Basic Life Skills for Bodyguards / Close Protection Operatives!


Basic Life Skills for Bodyguards / Close Protection Operatives

I have been involved in the security industry internationally since leaving the British Army in 1993 and things have changed dramatically since then… Sure, the basic physical tactics, techniques and procedures have remained more or less the same but, with the development of the internet such things as communications, logistics and networking are in a completely different world. Sadly though there are still many people still stuck in the 1990’s.

One of the first large investigations I completed when I started working for myself in the mid 90’s was to locate a fishing trawler that had not been returned to the South Korean owner by the leasee in far Eastern Russia… This entailed getting contacts to 1. Locate the vessel 2. Go and take, and develop photos 3. Send to Moscow 4. Fax me the photos and report from Moscow 5. The originals were sent to me via FedEx 6. I then forwarded to the client… This job took about 3 weeks if I remember right… These days as soon as the vessel was located we could stream real-time video to the client via a smart phone...

I find it funny how many people seeking work and quite a few working in the close protection, investigations industry have completed many tacticool courses and maybe licensed in numerous locations but, are still lacking the basic soft skills required to be able to complete the basic of tasks… I class these basic skills as life skills that apply to virtually everyone, especially those who work for themselves internationally.

These skills include:

• Must be able to use a computer or smartphone • Must be able to use various smartphone messengers • Must be able to write a report • Must be able to take viewable photos and video • Must be able to plan a route and use maps – physical & digital • Must be able to get from one location to another on time, internationally • Must be able to book flights, hotels and cars internationally

• Must be able to send and receive money internationally • Must be able to price and budget operations and tasking's • Must understand the local and international laws that apply to their tasking

You might the best shot or hardest puncher in the world but if you can’t communicate or get from point A to B without drama you’re a waste of space… Many of the supposed training experts are more focused on being tacticool instead of teaching real world skills, this sadly means many trying to join the industry are miss-trained, which can be a lot worse than being untrained… A simple thing like not knowing North from South can lead to issues when looking for locations… Not being able to send funds international can lead to delays in tasks being completed or being cancelled…

These are just some thoughts on issues I come across regularly, we should never be dependent on technology but we need to know how to use it... People also need to be able to function as adults and get things done without drama and someone being there to tie up their tacticool boots for them!

Orlando – Risks Inc. – www.risks-incorporated.com


Books on Amazon

Close Protection: Luxury & Hostile Environments


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