You Can Do This!  (I mean it....)

When I transitioned out of full-time Law Enforcement (LE), and made that big leap into full-time Executive Protection, it felt a bit risky. Everyone has their own reasons for doing things. My 'why' was primarily the unbearable thought of getting in 'that car' for 15 more years, topped out in pay with no hope of a raise, and going 10-41 (on-duty) and 10-42 (off-duty) like ground hog day til I 'retired'. Then retiring at the young age of 50, only to have to to get another job just to pay for health insurance. All the while making MUCH less than "six figures'. Thinking about a long-term future in law enforcement back then, just did not give me a warm and fuzzy feeling (are you with me?).

However, if I had listened to the peer pressure of the majority of my friends (most of whom said, "You're Crazy" or "What are you doing?", or "What about Retirement?" or my favorite, "We'll see you back here in about a year"; then I WOULD be retiring in just a few more years and looking for that second job to pay for my insurance and carry me onward into old age. Clearly I'm not yet retired, or even close, but I can tell you my professional life is much more interesting and engaging than I ever imagined it would be!

If I may add, I have lots of dear friends that did happily retire (that did encourage me) and that I still correspond with regularly. But the nay-Sayer friends that discouraged me (I felt like they almost expected me to fail), where are they? To this day I've never heard from them again. Wow, good thing I didn't let their cautionary words of 'advice' keep me from pursuing my dreams!

Now, I should say that I had fully prepared myself for both professions (LE and EP), and if I'd had to go back to 'the road' as a cop, I would have made it work, and would have done my best. The difference was, and the reason I had to leave and give EP a try, boiled down to one thing... what did I really want to do?

 I bring this up, not to give a history lesson on my own career path, but to motivate and encourage all you that are contemplating career changes or just a starting a new and cool career path.

The little secret? You can do it to! Don't let anyone stop you from trying your hand at the career you WANT to have.

Fast forward to today... I realize most people can be successful at almost anything they put their mind to, as long as they thoroughly research the desired market, figure out the correct path (this can be the hard part) and complete necessary steps (not always easy steps) aka...'do the work'. 

Now I'm not trying to make everything sound easy, as it's not, referencing the old adage "If It Were Easy, Everybody Would Be Doing It". What I am trying to convey is that if you have what it takes, and are determined or willing to put the work and effort in, then your "Path" can be narrowed down to a methodical process that will lead you towards success. 

Do your research and consult with trusted and verified security industry professionals to get you on the right path. Whatever you do, don't listen to the negative nay-Sayers or that 'one guy' that says he knows it all, that had one client, that one time, a long, long time ago...(and clearly thinks he should be offering you career advice).

 If any of you have watched my Intro Video on OPStructure.com I reference the Security Industry as confusing and sometimes flat misleading. This is where new candidates or people transitioning careers get frustrated and feel dejected. Trust me, I know (many years ago) as I went through these feeling as well.

The Security Industry as a whole and particularly the Executive Protection/Close Protection field is flooded right now with Training Companies, People, Schools and Organizations that all promise to help your career. In looking at all them in singular form, many of them are good choices and provide a small "piece of the pie" in your overall success. If you had an extra 100k in cash and wanted to learn or experience a lot of cool stuff just for the sake of having fun, BUT did not mind being flat broke afterwards, then that option is certainly obtainable.  

I'd say most of us are not in that category. Most of us have to pick one of the many viable clear paths that will lead to success.

Get good advise from trusted and SUCCESSFUL sources and have a good transition plan mapped out. Do not utilize the one buddy that tells you, "Oh, I had one client one time" as your entire transition plan.

There are a lot of good companies and schools, just be clear on what you will get from them, and how the experience will contribute to your objectives. Do you want to be a Executive Protection Specialist or a SWAT Operator? Then choose training and mentoring that fit accordingly and don't waste your money (unless money is no object) on taking 'cool' courses that ultimately don't improve your standing withe employers. If you are truly interested in changing or beginning a career in Executive Protection or Security Industry, then you need to think about what investments in your education or experience will make you an even more appealing candidate, and those things may surprise you.

I advise my clients and recruiters on ways to improve their candidacy for positions, and candidate pools in general. I'm a firm believer in moving the Security Industry and Executive Protection field towards a more transparent and high quality of service standard, and approach all of my interactions with this perspective in mind.

I like people to be upfront and honest with me, so I'm passing it forward. I really do feel that in this point in time, there is no better industry than the Security Industry to offer opportunities for vibrant and lucrative careers. Don't let others dissuade you. Give it your best shot!

Thank you for reading and following OPStructure's post. If there's additional topics or information that you would like to see, reach out and let us know. And don't forget to go to OPStructure.com and sign up on our email mailing list.