Interview of an Industry Leader:

August 6, 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 20^th 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 )

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