Is It Hard To Become An Armed Security Pro?


Is It Hard To Become An Armed Security Pro?

Well-trained, armed private security professionals are always in demand. The more certifications and experience they have, the more money they can make.

Those who specialize in executive protection, often called bodyguards, can make even more money and are often glamorized in movies such as one of my favorites, The Bodyguard. I admit it, that film helped me describe how I would live out my childhood dreams of protecting people like my mother and grandmother.

How hard is it to become an armed security professional? That depends on you.

Here are 3 sets of tough questions to ask yourself:

  1. Are you sure you want to be an armed security guard/professional? It can seem a lot more glamorous than it is. You could also find yourself in situations that may be more dangerous than an unarmed security role. Can you handle that? How do you handle stressful situations? You may wind up in more of them if you’re an armed security professional. Are you doing this work to serve people, or serve your ego? Be honest.
  2. Are you ready, willing, and able to put in the work that is required to earn and maintain an armed certification? It doesn’t matter what you say you want. If you are an unarmed guard who wants to be armed, think about what your current supervisors and colleagues might say about you. Would they describe you as doing the least amount of work possible (lazy), sloppy (in appearance, paperwork), and often late for your shift? Then you may not be the top-notch security professional you think you are.
  3. Can you be trusted with a firearm? Would someone describe you as a “gun nut,” and they are not giving you a compliment? Firearms are not toys. You must train on the firearm you own, keep it secure (especially if you have children in the home), and follow all of the firearms possession laws in the jurisdictions where you work.

Many people move into armed, private security from law enforcement or the military. If that is you, do not assume that you are automatically fit for armed, private security. You will have to make some shifts in your mindset and training.

No matter what experience you have, as an armed security professional you will always have to keep training and maintaining the appropriate certifications. You will also need to remember that you are also a public servant.

If you want to act like some type of gunslinger, go to acting school. I’ve seen plenty of movies featuring roles for them since I found my calling in The Bodyguard.

Check out my book Rent-A-Cop Reboot, which includes more information about the private security career path. I also invite you to subscribe to the Leumas Publishing YouTube Channel. I have posted videos talking about a wide variety of issues faced by armed and unarmed security professionals, and others who are security-minded.

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