Adding on to Damon’s blog “Driving O/S”, concerning the need to have the right driver for your client; I have, yet again, experienced things that could go wrong when not having a professional driver. Once again, this was the result of promoters trying to give us a cheaper option by using anyone with a driver’s license to drive for protected clients. We can not stress how important it is to have trained and experienced drivers to work with.
Our first driver incident on this particular assignment, started with calling our driver two times to confirm he knew where our location was in addition to the loading dock where the client would be dropped off. Both times he was adamant that he knew where he was going. Well, 15 minutes after the expected arrival time we received a phone call from the driver and once determining where he was, we found out he had driven 20 minutes past our location. By this time our 500 strong crowd that had already been waiting for an hour was starting to get agitated.
Around 20 minutes later when they arrived into the car park of the shopping centre, I received another call saying he could not find the loading dock. At the same time, I could hear the clients in the background screaming at the driver. 10 minutes after explaining this to him, he found our destination. The driver was immediately replaced.
On the next day in a new city, we were looking forward to a trouble free day. My first job for the day was to contact our driver to confirm he knew my exact location. However, to my surprise, our driver’s flat-mate answered the phone saying he had left it at home. So our driver did not have a phone on him today. This news gave me an instant headache! On top of this issue, we had to deal with the venue Security manager trying to change our staging location of our vehicle with no experience to do so. After calling the clients PA, we managed to direct the driver to the correct location without to much trouble.
Two hours later, just before our client’s departure, I went to check on our vehicle. I found out that our driver has just learned the hard way the reason why you do not run your radio nonstop on ACC, when the vehicle did not start.
The client was then lucky enough to get a lift back to the hotel via my little hire car.
For the little extra cost, you really can not beat having trained professional security drivers to work with your Protection team.
Blog by Mark
September 2, 2010
Private jet charters are a common means of transport for today’s rich and famous. The bonuses weigh outweigh the other option of commercial flights. Your first step is finding a reputable service provider that is proven to be a repeat provider. A charter service we have used recently is ExecJet which have offices world wide.
Your chartered jet is able to depart from locations that have hangers available for private jets. In other locations, your aircraft will depart at the main terminals, but you will still have the possibility of tarmac pick ups where applicable.
Generally, you should not assume there will always be the luxury of a tarmac pick up. This will depend on the airport and country you arrive in. In most circumstances, your charter service will assist you in arranging this service. Most charter hangers or offices will have catering services and refreshments available with bathrooms and even showers available in most locations.
Upon arrival and departure, you will have a member of customs waiting at the aircraft to check off all passengers. In some circumstances, your luggage maybe sent to the main terminal for security screening. In this instance, it is important to have a member of your team designated to stay with the luggage. Your group’s passports may also need to go to the main terminal for stamping. Once again it is very important that you have someone accompany the passports. There have been reports in some countries of airport staff taking photo copies of client passports for their personal use. In Australia, drivers will be required to have identification on them provided by the charter service within tarmac gates.
In most cases, your charter company will be flexible in the way your aircraft is positioned on the tarmac. This is of great help when you have photographers located outside tarmac gates. You can have your departure doors facing away from the photographers and your clients vehicles situated next to the aircraft. Umbrellas are also a great device to block photos.
The main advantage for clients with private charter services is the flexibility with departure times. That said, it is imperative to relay any delays with your charter due to any flight window issues they may have. Another advantage is the exclusivity and personalized services they can provide. This can range from a number of things. For instance, our charter service on one occasion was familiar with a restaurant our client was extremely happy with and organized a takeaway service from this restaurant to be available on our flight.
Over all, after using a private Jet charter it is very difficult to resume using commercial flights because of the challenges they hold to well recognized clients and their protection detail.
Blog by: Mark Williams
Below are contact details of our preferred Charter service.
ExecuJet Aviation Group
Roxanne Simpson
Charter Sales Manager
Asia Pacific
+61 2 96930824
www.execujet.net
August 11, 2010
When I first started out in this industry I was hungry for knowledge but lacked the direction needed to give me the skills and experience to progress further. In 2004 on a protection job for a celebrity wedding, I was fortunate enough to meet and instantly build a rapport with a fellow operative. At the time I didn’t realize the effect this would have on my personal and professional development but can now look back and see it as a turning point in my life. Although large in stature and exuding confidence, it was only through his actions you would know he was a true professional and ahead of the competition. Unlike the scores of other so called professionals I have worked with in the past, there was no bragging, name dropping of clients he worked for, or an over inflated opinion of his capabilities. This man is not a business man out to make millions or an egotist seeking fame through association, but a true warrior as well as a gentleman.
I have had the pleasure of spending the last six years getting to know Hans as both a friend and mentor. I can attribute my extensive library of industry literature on his recommendations as well as my desire to learn more. I also enormously enjoyed the numerous conversations we have engaged in regarding the philosophy and methodology of Protective work. He has also assisted me with pin pointing a thesis topic on executive protection for a doctorate. Hans has a wealth of knowledge and experience within his chosen profession and is an industry leader within this field. It is for this reason I felt honored to have interviewed Hans. Enjoy!
When did you first decide that you wanted to be a BG?
Well, I think the desire started back in November 1963. I would have been about 11 years old at the time and just reaching that age when your are starting to get cognizant of the world around you. President Kennedy was assassinated in Dallas, Texas that month which was definitely one of the most iconic moments of the 20th Century.
Like everyone else back then, I was horrified seeing the news footage and photo’s of the assassination, yet I was also transfixed by the image, constantly replayed, of a Secret Service Agent sprinting to the President’s moving, open top limousine, then leaping on to the rear and pushing Mrs. Kennedy back into the back seat and covering her and the President with his body as the limousine accelerated off.
I don’t think I’d had any heroes as a boy up till then but that definitely did it for me. To see such heroism and bravery combined with athleticism, all whilst wearing a snappy suit and Ray Ban sunglasses! I knew on some level that I wanted to be like that man.
Nearly 48 years later, I still do. That Agent, Clint Hill still inspires me. I’ve spent too much time around famous people to be a believer in Hero Worship but Clint Hill is a man that has definitely been one of the most important role models in my life.
Apart from his bravery, he is a very humble man and also very dignified .He rarely talks about himself and has never to this day, compromised the confidentiality of his profession by talking about the Kennedy’s.
A few years later in 1965, I was taken to see President Lyndon Johnson’s Presidential motorcade as it traveled down St. Kilda Road in Melbourne. Seeing his trusted lead Agent Rufus Youngblood, standing on the running board of the Limousine, covered in paint from a Vietnam War protestors paint ‘bomb’ seemed impossibly dashing and heroic to me and reinforced in my mind that I wanted to be just like the USSS agents..
Apart from Clint Hill and Rufus Youngblood are there any others who have inspired you in Protection work?
Sure, Larry Buendorf who grabbed Squeaky Fromme’s pistol as she drew down on President Ford and Jerry Parr and Tim McCarthy who saved President Reagan’s life during the 1980 assassination attempt.
The U.S Secret Service is arguably the finest protective organization in the world and its methodologies have been something that I have always tried to emulate albeit on a very micro scale.
In regards to the Private Sector, Gavin De Becker with his enormous intellectual and analytical abilities in regards to Protective Intelligence and likewise Tom Taylor who also combines these qualities with the actual physical operational abilities.
Do think there is a particular personality type that is drawn to the Protection Profession?
Yes, there are certain psychographic variables that are unique to people who can successfully do this profession from an operational standpoint.
The need to be honorable, loyal and chivalrous. Getting satisfaction from serving others. Courage. The need to be a warrior. Maybe a functional dose of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder! They don’t call it a security Detail for nothing, its all about attention to detail. You need to be a very self- controlled, self -regulated and self-contained person.
Personally ,ever since I was young I’ve always felt a kind of affinity with violence. I’ve had a life long association and desire to engage in armed and un-armed combat disciplines and a complete reverence for all forms of weaponry. However I’ve always been a highly compassionate person, I was the kid at school that protected bullied kids and was always bringing home stray animals. I still do. I think I was fortunate to find a profession where my propensity for violence could be used in the cause of compassion for the vulnerable. I managed to reach a place where avocation and vocation met.
Training can make any-body better but all the training in the world won’t make you good at Protection work unless you also possess these inherent traits.
What qualities do you feel that you possess that has given you an edge and what are some that you feel you lack?
That’s a good question. I feel that I’ve always had good interpersonal relationship skills with Clients. You don’t just have to be capable to do the job you have to be compatible with he client otherwise they won’t want you around.
I’ve always been a highly sentient person and I believe that gives me an edge on establishing a good professional relationship with Principals.
I also attempt to be exceedingly polite and courteous at all times. Good manners and showing respect will always be appreciated by everyone you have to interact with.
Try to be a very ‘classy’ person. ‘Class’ is an old fashioned term but having ‘class’ is essential.These attribute will not make you a more effective operator but they help in giving you an edge in obtaining and maintaining contracts.
The other thing I always do, that I think is imperative, is to debrief at the end of the day.
Whether it’s a team or my more usual one-man detail, I always self critique at the end of the day.
Criticism is always good. Self praise is the danger. I always reflect back on the days work and think what could have been done better. This could be in regards to anything, large or small. I assess whether I was just lucky that the day went well or had I covered all of the potential risks/problems/inconveniences that could have potentially occurred to the client. Maybe it was even something as slight as a not so well thought out interaction/response to one of the clients other support staff.
Even if the day went well I just don’t believe that you cannot think of something that could not have been improved upon.
When Usain Bolt ran 9.58 for the 100 meters I’m sure he felt that he was capable of an even better time if only he’d prepared better or reacted faster at the start, or he’d rested better the day before etc, It’s always about striving to be better .If you cannot name it you cannot change it and that’s what self critiquing is all about.
I’d rather not expose the many weaknesses I posses in regards to Protection work. Trust me though when I say, I am aware of them and I work at improving on them each and every day.
One of the weaknesses I am publicly willing to discuss is a lack of business acumen.To be able to do this job in the long run, also requires you to operate a successful business whether it’s a solo operation or a large company. I have seen many competent operators who were/are appalling business men and I’ve also seen many who were highly successful business wise even though they were terrible operators.
The lesson from this is, don’t just invest in your training for your hard and soft E.P. skills but also spend some time developing your entrepreneurial business skills.
As you are approaching the age of 60 when do you think you will retire from Protection work?
Well, I’m aiming for about 70. As long as I can remain physiologically and cognitively effective I’d like to stay operational for another 12 years. This is a profession that you can stay in for a very long time. Protection work is first and foremost a cerebral activity. Experience also greatly assists you in making effective judgments.
I remember reading an article in ‘Time’ magazine about Michael Jordan 10 years ago.
It stated that he had a four man Security Detail, all ex Chicago PD. They ranged in age from 58 up to his primary guy who was 72! This guy the article stated was really a pseudo father figure to Jordan. He ran all decisions, even non security related, past this guy for his consideration.
This says a lot not only about the potential longevity of our professional life but also the degree of reliance that clients can come to depend on us.
( Damon )
August 6, 2010
One area of protection work I feel is sometimes neglected is building and maintaining the appropriate level of personal fitness. Before I go any further with this blog, please get the image of a 6 foot, 230 pound ripped Adonis in a tight black shirt and sun glasses out of your mind. The level of fitness I am speaking of is an operational and maintainable level for operatives constantly living out of hotels with very little time to train. Whilst at home, I have no problem maintaining a high level of fitness training 5 – 6 days per week for no less than an hour per session. This, coupled with regular sleep and health eating patterns, ensures that when I leave on an assignment I am in the best possible shape I can be.
Where this became a problem is on an assignment where it is impossible to replicate usual training routines and healthy lifestyles. After extended periods of 20hr work days, buffet food, no training and constantly maintaining the level of alertness required, I was beginning to suffer. I gradually noticed my moods becoming less positive, reaction time slowing and thought process becoming less crisp. This meant I was not giving the client my 100% for the full length on the contracts on extended assignments. I began to look for alternative training methods when I realised the positive effects of being able to maintain a high level of fitness had on not only my moods, but also reaction time and mental alertness.
When travelling, I will always take the stairs if not with clients, and as soon as possible check out the hotel gym / pool and grounds so as to formulate a plan of attack. I try to limit my sessions to no more the 45mins. I am nearly always on call, so I make sure my workouts are high intensity from start to finish. I have a selection of workout of the day (WOD) crossfit routines that require little or no equipment for locations with no facilities. I also have an arsenal of bodyweight and Isometric exercises I can perform in my room using the bed, chairs, water bottles and even my suitcase if need be. There is a multitude of sites and programs dedicated to this with guys like Ross Enamait, having a wealth of material available.
The next biggest challenge is diet. With limited choice and time to eat, I will always look for the healthiest options. If none are available, I choose to limit the portions I do eat. Nearly every hotel I have stayed in has grilled fish, chicken or salad of some kind, it just comes down to will power not to load up at the buffet or though room service. Unfortunately sleep patterns are harder to control and are usually dictated by schedules, recourses or the principal’s movements. However by training and eating correctly the sleep you do get will be of lot better quality. Having a good level of personal fitness for this industry is more than just for appearance value and physical incidents. Maintaining your fitness will assist in endurance, fine motor skills, reaction times, alertness, moods and overall appearance.
Damon
August 4, 2010
Over the past several years I have been fortunate to operate outside of my own country and comfort zone in some of the best and worst road conditions. Even though I would not compare a vehicle convoy in Vietnam or India to what the PSD operative are doing in the Middle East, each has their own inherent risks. If budgets and the client allows I will do my best to have a professional local driver provided so as to free me up to do my job, which is protection. This ensures that I am not pulling my hair out trying to deal with unfamiliar conditions and locations. All those with any time on the circuit will attest that having a competent driver with local knowledge is a valuable asset to peace of mind.
Just as important as local knowledge are the following:
1: Communications. You need to be able to have the driver, not only understand directions and expectations, but then follow them precisely. I have had Vietnamese and Thai drivers that could not speak a word of English but could read my directions and follow schedules to the second. I also had a translator on speed dial for emergency changes although if the situation arrived they were able to understand what was needed by my reactions and gestures. Just a note I have had professional English speaking drivers who were paid 5 times the amount, were trained and educated and not half the drivers they were.
2: Driving Style. It is very important to check your driver’s driving style. Breaking too late, accelerating too harshly and heavy movements on the steering can leave the client sitting up ,back feeling uncomfortable, give them whiplash or even make them physically ill.
3. Safety. Safety should always be first and foremost. Even if you are running late for an event, putting the client in danger by excessive speeding or weaving in and out of traffic is not acceptable. We know all too well how Princess Diana’s run from the paparazzi ended.
4. Professionalism. A driver that continually joins in the client’s conversations or constantly trying to initiate them can annoy the client just as much as a bad driver. This also applies to talking on cell phones, radios, or hands free when driving and initiating non essential conversation with any of the CPO’s. I make it a personal habit not to speak unless spoken to and then only provide enough information to answer the clients query. Knowing when to speak up or shut up is an under rated skill that most operatives and drivers need to work on.
5. Personal hygiene. Using strong perfume or after shave can be just as bad as not wearing any at all. I was recently working overseas in a country where the body odor of one of the drivers was so bad that the client became physically ill and had to cancel a public appearance. In the same visit, in a different vehicle, the smell of cheap cologne brought a second client to the point of actually vomiting and requesting the windows be let down to allow the 40deg plus wind through the vehicle. An unscented anti-perspirant, tooth paste and regular showering can make all the difference.
A competent, professional driver can make all the difference to how smoothly an assignments runs and the safety of your principal. These atributes are of major concern as the last thing you need when transporting a principal is to be concentrating on your drivers actions, doing their job and not your own. There is plenty of literature, courses and industry leaders in this field such as Tony Scotti who I would suggest you seek out and learn from to be the best you can.
Damon.
July 26, 2010
After being in the security industry for over 16yrs and working on close protection assignment for the last 6, I sometimes need to be reminded how lucky I am to be doing what I do. When you are on the inside looking out it is not as glamorous or exciting as one would expect. However, to someone wanting to break into this industry, it is the life they desire. Don’t get me wrong, by no means do I consider myself an expert or even overly experienced. What I do have is a thirst for knowledge and a strong desire to improve my skills and knowledge in my chosen career. Sometimes, I get frustrated with the fact that I am looking at 3 to 6 years to finish a PHD and at least another month before I can get on the range. In the end, I am grateful that I travel the world with some interesting and extremely successful people.
It’s only when I a
m asked for advice on how to get into the industry by a person truly interested in listening that I stop to enjoy the journey so far. Every now and then in between the multitude of “I have a black belt”, “I’m ex army” or “you don’t do much I could do your job” you do get a legitimate question and not a display of ego. The most common question I get is if I am ex Military or Police. When I reply yes, most people nod their head and acceptingly smile, halting the questions. This leaves me bewildered. If I was a clerk in the army or a control room operator with the police force, how does that qualify me as professional protection operative? One can draw from many previous careers to support and expand your skill sets, making you a more well-rounded professional and not just ex military or police. For more reasons than just soaking in the knowledge and gaining skills, I recommend a reputable executive protection course either in the USA, UK or South Africa (Ronin). Through the instructors and other participants on the course, you can build a network of both supporters and future employers spanning multiple countries. These people will have firsthand knowledge of your abilities and professional attitude towards your career and colleagues. This in itself can sometimes be worth more than the cost of the course, making the rest an added bonus.
I personally was lucky enough many years ago to work with one of the most professional and dedicated protection experts I have met anywhere in the world. He took the time to sit down with me on more than one occasion and point me in the right direction. I now offer that same advice to anyone taking the time to listen. Read as much as you can on your profession written by industry leaders like Gavin DeBecker, Tom Taylor, Lt Col D Grossman, Tony Scotti, Oatman and a whole host of others out there. Don’t only read books on protection and security but expand your literature to psychology, business management, networking and different cultures. Keep an interest in world events. Make sure you are knowledgeable on not only what’s happening around you, but also your perspective clientele and the rest of the world. Take courses in advance first aid, driving, languages, deportment and continue to improve on your social skills. Dress for the client and the event, wearing a black three piece suit with sunglasses and an ear piece on Bondi beach will only draw attention, so be sure you are prepared and have suitable attire for the event, to blend in. Maintain a level of fitness that will help you do your job and help you endure extended periods of travel and interrupted sleep and eating patterns. If you cannot run across the road without having to stop to catch your breath, ask yourself honestly why anyone would hire you to protect them.
There is so much more to this industry then being ex army / police, a great shot and looking intimidating in a suit and black sunglasses. For me, the constant battle to increase my knowledge, skills and build on my social attributes and physical abilities is where the greatest enjoyment is derived. Being able to travel and spend some times monumental moments in the lives of interesting and successful individuals drives me to be the best I can.
July 25, 2010
One routine I have always made sure I follow on every protection assignment and on my own travels is information security by the removal and later destruction of litter. Most people will have some sort of understanding of protecting the client’s room number and personal details by booking under another name, diverting calls and screening mail. However, you should take this one step further by ensuring no schedules, flight stubs, receipts, letters, personal note’s or check in information is left in the room or vehicles. This includes both when you are checking out and during your stay where information is in view for cleaning staff and drivers.
Although this information may seem mundane, but in the wrong hands it can be used to embarrass or gain access to your client or even threaten their safety. By making it a habit to fully check rooms, including clearing out of bins of any litter, you will ensure that you are leaving nothing easily assessable to the wrong people. You are also making sure you do not leave any stray items behind, leaving you or your client ill prepared for your next hotel stay.
Most people don’t give much thought to what they are throwing out or leaving for someone else to dispose of. Paying of hotel cleaners or dumpster diving can lead to a wealth of information about an intended target. These pieces of information coupled with corporate profiles, tour date, social media accounts (Twitter, Facebook) websites and other open source information can lead to a detailed profile on your client and their future movements be formulated. Although you cannot control all aspects of information regarding your client you can make access to that information and the formulation of the larger picture more difficult and ineffective.
A good book to read on social engineering and the use of piecing together a larger picture through small pieces of information is “The Art of Deception” by Mitnick / Simon. Even though I have always taken information security seriously it wasn’t until I read this title that I realized I may myself unwittingly been engineered to disclose information I thought of no importance in the past.
Damon
July 22, 2010
Airport security: On two recent assignments in India I was able to view firsthand the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) at two international and two domestic airports. The CISF first came on the scene in 1969 however since then has grown and now has become a multi-skilled security agency, mandated to provide security to major critical infrastructure installations of the country in diverse areas. CISF is currently providing security cover to nuclear installations, space establishments, airports, seaports, power plants, sensitive Government buildings and ever heritage monuments. The first thing you notice approaching all the airports is the vehicle Check Points (VCP’s) usually with movable barriers slowing vehicles down along with what appeared to me as a fortified bunker directly facing towards traffic which provides a perfect fire lane for the armed officers . 
Upon arriving at the entrance to the departure lounges you are greeted politely by armed CISF officers and are required to provide your passport and either tickets or itinerary. I observed a number of people that had been turned away due to not having the correct documentation. On one occasion, I was sent to an external service counter due to an incorrect date on one of my connecting flights that was printed on the document as the day before the flight.Scanning of carryon luggage and personal items is the same standard procedures as most major airports worldwide; however, once you have gone through the metal detector, you are thoroughly checked with a hand held unit and pat down, regardless if you set it off or not. At one stage I thought due to the officers prolonged pat down of my groin area, I was going to get asked for my number. Each carry on item is tagged and stamped before you can proceed. When you finally get to board not only is your ticket checked by boarding staff, but also by a CISF officer along with your carryon luggage and the stamped tags on each item. Once again, I observed several travelers turned away at the gate, due to either purchasing baggage or packaging that was not tagged and stamped. All parties involved were sent back to security to have their items scanned.
I am unable to comment on their response procedures or time to actual threats or incidents due to the fact that at no time during my last two visits did I observe anything that required more than a smile and “No very sorry sir”. However, incorrect bookings, pushy travelers and vegetable curry’s aside, my personal experiences with India’s Mumbai, New Delhi and Bangalore Airports from a security stand point was one of attention to detail and great professionalism making my job that much more enjoyable.
July 20, 2010
What the ancients called a clever fighter is one who not only wins, but excels at winning with ease. But his victories bring him neither reputation for wisdom nor credit for courage. For inasmuch as they are gained over circumstances that have not come to light, the world at large knows nothing of them, and he therefore wins no reputation for wisdom; and inasmuch as the hostile state submits before there has been any bloodshed, he receives no credit for courage.?
July 8, 2010
