Gaddafi Bodyguards Don’t Play Well With Others

FrontPageMag.com is reporting that Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi and his security team exhibited some “unusual” behavior during the leaders visit to the African Heads of State Summit in Uganda.  While Gaddafi reportedly slapped an aide in publifc for taking him to the wrong venue, the article goes on to state that the his bodyguards frequently got into tussles with other security teams and the press.

For the full story, click HERE.

A Must Have for Executive Protection

From the archives:

When you think of outfitting yourself for a career as a Bodyguard what’s on your essential must-have list for Executive Protection?

• Semi-Automatic Handgun? (With appropriate license to carry)
• Bulletproof Vest?
• How about one of those cool–talk into your hand–microphones?

It’s true, at some point and time there is probably a place for all of that.  However, one of the biggest assets to someone doing this line of work for any length of time is something so obvious it really gets overlooked:

shoes.

Yep, a good, COMFORTABLE, pair of shoes will make a world of difference for the bodyguard.  Just ask any agent who’s worked a detail where he has to stand for 12 hours plus, or walked 3 miles on an overseas sight-seeing trip with a VIP (on unpaved roads!) Speaking from experience, I’ll tell you; wear the wrong shoes and the unpleasantness factor goes up dramatically.

On this date:  no vest, no 2way radio… however comfortable shoes made a long day a little easier.

Bodyguard Training Calendar

Minneapolis, MN September 8-12th 2010 – Icon Services Corporation present a five-day course of practical theory and hands-on training in the world of Celebrity & VIP Protection. If you are new to the bodyguard industry or a current operator looking to refresh and polish your skills, this course will offer excellent instruction into the professional side of Close Protection work. Taught by industry veteran Elijah Shaw, who in addition to his corporate clients, has traveled the world as the personal bodyguard of international public figures such as musical giant Usher, supermodel Naomi Campbell, and rap megastar 50 Cent, the course will offer real world problems, scenarios, and solutions from instructors that are currently active in the industry.

“Your training is an invaluable tool to your industry. I was very impressed how realistic the training was that you provide. Having been taught by the best, I can honestly state that I learned quite a bit in your class. There is always room for improving ones skill set, and your training definitely added to mine”.

Special Agent Robert E. Jones / US Secret Service

For more information click HERE

Stunt Double

Kidnapper Tries To Hire Bodyguard Firm to Help?

Still trying to get my head around this story, but apparently a man reached out to a well regarded executive protection firm and tried to enlist their aid in kidnapping a female co-worked.  Of course the firm reported it to the police and the man, a former convict was eventually arrested and charged.

Read the strange story HERE.

Anatomy of an Engagment

Here are some of the photos during the recent ICON Celebrity & VIP Protection Training Course.  In this actual Force on Force exercise, attendees escort their VIP from a building to a nearby vehicle, however armed assailants conduct an ambush.  The students are evaluated on their reactions and decisions made.  The level of realism is intensified by the use of Airsoft weapons that deliver a realistic  (and at times painful) simulation of taking fire and having to return fire against a live person. (click on the photo to enlarge)

Fig 1.  After identifying an imminent threat, the front security escort moves forward and prepares to engage.

Fig 2.  the primary bodyguard, assisted by the 2nd security escort covers and evacuates the VIP to the nearby vehicle –finding it disabled.

Fig 3.  The primary bodyguard elects to move the VIP to the far side of the vehicle, using it for cover.  At this point, the 2nd security escort has drawn his firearm and engaged the attackers from the rear of the vehicle.

The next course is September 8-12, 2010 in Minneapolis, Minnesota.  To learn about additional Close Protection training from ICON Services Corporation, click HERE.

See Related:  Executive Protection Training Video

Today Show Interview with Elijah Shaw

So in the interest of national security (joke),  I got my hands on the the full Today Show interview conducted by host Amy Robach.  The interview is a excerpt from their recent segment with Bodyguard Careers on females in the Executive Protection Industry.

I know after the original piece aired there was a little bit of debate on if female newcomers in the industry should get that amount of exposure.  My thought process is that the Today Show viewership for that week was 4,900,000, so that was 4,900,000 that got to hear something positive about our industry as opposed to “bodyguard writes a tell-all” or “Security Contractor Takes a Bribe in Iraq“.   That type of positive exposure has got to be good for our community, and acts as a counterbalance to all the negative stereotypes.

See related:  FEMALE BODYGUARD FEATURED ON TODAY SHOW

Executive Protection Training Video

A very small sampling of the drills that go into honing skills in the Executive & VIP Protection Industry.  These are the building blocks that create the total package that clients, Detail Leaders and decision makers are looking for.

The guys that attended the recent training course were from all backgrounds and walks of life, but I think what was so impressive is that regardless of their pedigree’sthey put their egos on the shelf (well mostly) and engaged in the physical and mental exertions that form muscle memory.  Continue on that path and at when the moment of truth comes, your actions (or reactions) are on autopilot.

For more information on ICON Executive Protection Training, click HERE.

Stalkers Using Social Networking to Find You

A  group of independent scientist have conducted a study that shows just how easy it is to learn your whereabouts while using the geo-tagging features now popular with social networking sites such as Twitter & YouTube.

The scientist were able to use the geo-tags which gives longitude and latitude information precisely enough to identify the home in which a particular images were shot after being placed on social networking sites.   In addition to video, these tags can also be embedded in smart-phones messages and still photos.

For the full story, click HERE.

Mexico Government Rents Bodyguards to Workers