Private Security/Contractor Training

[msp21]

I am not sure if this is the proper forum to post this in so mods please move it if it need be.

I want to know where to start to get training for going into private security or private contracting. Is prior military required or can you get training somewhere else that would meet the standards? Any help, suggestions or advise would be greatly appreciated.

[Iraq Ninja]

Prior military combat arms experience is the norm these days. Used to see a few LEO in a few US companies, but rarely in the Brit ones.

So, the odds of someone with no mil or leo background getting a job after taking a course is not very high. Personally, I wouldn't want such a person on my team for many reasons. There are just too many various skill sets that one has to know well, and no course can teach it all.

A military background can also be used for vetting. We can take the average combat experienced vet and bring him up to speed for PSD work. There are just too many unknowns associated with Course Commandos looking for work in a high threat environment.

This is more of a career you fall into after another related career, be in mil or leo. Wisdom and experience are never available through a course.

This is a very difficult time to find such work. Jobs are few and far between, and there are a lot of combat experienced people who are looking as well.

[John_Wayne777]

I am not sure if this is the proper forum to post this in so mods please move it if it need be.

I want to know where to start to get training for going into private security or private contracting. Is prior military required or can you get training somewhere else that would meet the standards? Any help, suggestions or advise would be greatly appreciated.

Most companies will not touch you without significant prior military experience. The ones who may try generally suck, which means that they probably hired lots of people who suck, which means you'll probably end up dead.

If you want to kill bad guys in exotic places around the globe, step one is enlisting in the armed services with a combat focused MOS.

[BT2012]

Even if you are current or former LEO, I would not recommend working a PSD in a foreign country. Skill and training differs greatly between law enforcement and military and taking a course here and there will not bring you up to the level needed. If PSD is a career you really want to get into then consider enlisting in the military or look into the Secret Service, State Department and U.S. Marshal.

[variablebinary]

I am not sure if this is the proper forum to post this in so mods please move it if it need be.

I want to know where to start to get training for going into private security or private contracting. Is prior military required or can you get training somewhere else that would meet the standards? Any help, suggestions or advise would be greatly appreciated.

Go visit your local armed forces recruiter. That should be your first step.

There is no effective short cut path to being in private security. And even if there was, would you want people on your team who had taken it?

Combat is not a joke. I got a JTAC associate that got blown to hell by an IED a couple of weeks ago. Left a wife behind. It happens that quick.

Think long and hard about this.

[thopkins22]

http://www.us.brinksinc.com/

[MIKE G]

What is your motivation to do private security/contract work?

ETA:

If it is money, keep moving, nothing to see here. There is no fast way. All roads to getting a gig will involve an investment of some sort and either you want to do the job when it is expensive and not glamorous or you dont.

[bkb0000]

not too many Shannon Campbells out there...

[Iraqgunz]

I think there has been sound advice given here. Getting some overseas gig is not a get rich quick scheme. You are being recruited by a company (hopefully a good one) that is recognizing you for your previous experience and skill sets.

There really is no amount of private instruction out there that can teach a non-military or high speed LEO everything that he needs to stay alive and keep his team mates alive.

Of course there are other support roles available that pay good money, but again companies are looking for personnel with a lot of experience and a track record.

The best thing you can do is join the military, get some training and college money while serving your country and see where life takes you.

[Iraq Ninja]

I am sitting in a tent at VBC waiting on my new CAC card. I was just at the Green Bean and saw some friends from EODT. They are on the PSD team. They were recently hit with a big pay cut and now make only $65,000 a year. Most expressed an interest in looking for work elsewhere.

There are still very good paying jobs out there. As some companies like EODT cut wages, they will mostly attract folks who can't qualify for the tier 1 companies, thus we will see a reduction in quality as the experienced folks move on to the better paying jobs.

There is no job security in this business. Very little company loyalty too. People read about the contractors in Iraq, but have no idea that the private security world is much larger and dynamic. There are a lot of interesting jobs outside of Iraq, but you have to be networked into the system to even know about them.

This may be my last year here. It will be six years next month and I would not mind a change. A Stan is a possibility, but I would prefer a CONUS gig. Maybe working offshore on an oil rig in a regulatory or medical position. Heck, I would love to get involved with the firearms industry as well.