Hollywood has glamorized being a bodyguard so much that sometimes it almost seems ridiculous. Being a bodyguard essentially means putting yourself in the place of danger to protect your client. This thread has been set up to discuss being a bodyguard at a lower level - for instance: while walking a date, seeing someone in trouble, etc.
A number of times I have been a 'bodyguard' to some folk I knew, not movie stars, but 'important' nevertheless. It is a very tiring job following the person around, unable to do what you want and keeping an eye on them. It does give a strong sense of the need to protect thus making your senses acute for protecting more important persons, like your family.
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at school, one of my parent's friends came to speak about being a bodyguard. he had been shot at 7 times (2 of those times he was hit by the bullets), stabbed 16 times, and been in way too many fights to list. but mind you this guy wasn't no small scrawny chicken boy, he's a big muscled samoan who's one of the nicest people i have ever met.
I suppose I have acted as a "bodyguard' in some sense for my son when he was younger and now my grandson. When walking down the street, I always place myself on the side of the sidewalk closest to the street. This both prevents him from staying into the street and helps protect him if someone driving a car swerves onto the sidewalk.
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at school, one of my parent's friends came to speak about being a bodyguard. he had been shot at 7 times (2 of those times he was hit by the bullets), stabbed 16 times, |
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I've found myself in various "bodyguard" positions at times. While growing up there was a period where my little sister was being harassed and threatened by some neighborhood bullies that also attended her school. After several weeks, I finally had to teach her how to fight- dirty, if necessary. She feared nothing after that.
One job I sure would not want to have is as a Secret Service agent. Although I trust that they are highly trained to anticipate and react to any possible situation, the risks just seem too great. They probably make a boatload of money, but they must be considered extremely high-risk when it comes to being insured.
QUOTE (tenaheff @ 19-Aug 04, 11:15 AM) |
Do professional body guards get paid well? I never thought of it as dangerous really. I just imagined them keeping fans at bay at rock concerts and stuff. |
Having worked in Europe as a bodyguard I can tell you a few things. The money is not all that when compared to the time you have to spend away from your family or just sitting around waiting for (and hoping against) something happening. It was nice being paid to travel, but after all hotels start to look the same after a while. My younger brother thought that it was funny the way that I would mime opening a hotel curtain and saying such and such a city was beautiful. And then closing the curtain and re-opening and saying that another city was beautiful. I have been in several different countries and loved it. I also missed my wife's first pregnancy. Also missed my second son's christening, and several other important family duties.
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Name: F
Comments: The life of a bodyguard is not enjoyable nor is it simple. I have been an expert bodyguard for 11 years protecting persons of high security threat.
I am single and have no relationships nor have I had any during my career, as being a bodyguard is normally a 12 or 24 hour job, and you by no means have ANY time for yourself.
Professional bodyguards do get paid very well. All bodyguards protecting high security risks generally have starting salaries of 150,000. I have been in many scenarios in which the sum of money has no significance at all. The money really isn't imperative as you can lose it all as the risk of fatality is extremely high when protecting clients of high risk.
As a bodyguard you must be alert 24/7 to your environment and always inspecting the individuals, specific groups, anything suspicious, new areas, unknown individuals of question and anything that could be a possible risk.
In the case that anything does happen you need to react instantly and intelligently.
Your client is your first priority and making certain they are out of harm's way and get OUT OF THE AREA IMMEDIEATLY is very crucial, 2+ bodyguard teams are extremely important when dealing with high risk individuals.
Once your client is safe, or while he is being protected, you must attempt to eliminate the threat without putting your client in any danger and watching out for civilians. While eliminating the threat is fine, it is far more crucial to make sure your client is safe.
Throughout your career it is important to regularly take difficult courses and train yourself in real scenarios as to train your reactions and make bad situations almost sub-conscious reactions.