Aryana Libris

Author : Thompson Leroy
Title : Bodyguard manual Protection techniques of the professionals
Year : 2005

Link download : Thompson_Leroy_-_Bodyguard_manual.zip

Introduction. Once, while working on a protection detail for a member of a Third World royal family, I had a conversation with a couple of bodyguards, old friends, who were working on the team of another dignitary who was attending the same meeting as my charge. One of them, who spent much of his free time reading, posed the question as to whether we were the modern equivalent of the Praetorian Guard of ancient Rome. Since none of us was actually a citizen of either of the countries our principals represented, I countered that for the analogy to hold true, actually we were closer to the Varangian Guard of ancient Byzantium, which was recruited from Vikings, Russians, Normans and Britons, among others. I also suggested the premise that whereas the Praetorian Guard had assumed the role of king maker during the later Roman Empire, in theory, we were apolitical in our approach to protecting our clients, being more like 'king keepers' than makers. Strictly speaking, however, this was not true, since each of us, I'm sure, would have refused to work for certain world leaders. Nevertheless, that conversation does raise an important point about those in VIP protection. It is a job, or, more accurately for many, a career, even in some cases when guarding certain charismatic leaders, a calling. The good bodyguard really should remain apolitical. Regardless of whether the US Secret Service agent votes Republican or Democrat, he or she must still be willing to stand between the principal and a bullet. Ideology may influence how bodyguards live their lives and may affect their rules of engagement or threat assessment, but, if they're good at their job, it doesn't affect their performance all that much. US Secret Service agents always found that their KGB equivalents were among the most competent and most reliable of the foreign protective personnel with whom they worked. Some basic techniques varied, but members of each service were highly trained and were dedicated to protecting their clients. In fact, during the attempted coup against Gorbachev in August 1991 , his KGB bodyguards showed their dedication and loyalty by holding firm around their principal, even when KGB Alpha Teams (special forces) were poised to capture him. They may have been good Communists and certainly were good KGB agents, otherwise they would not have received such an important assignment, but most of all, they were Gorbachev's protective team, which meant that to get him, even fellow KGB agents would have to go through them. I've been asked if I would take a bullet for someone for whom I was working. By choice, no, I would not take a bullet. That's one reason I wear a ballistic vest; however, I would place myself between a threat and the person who had given me their trust. VIP protection training incorporates so many drills requiring the bodyguard to move between a protectee and a threat that it is an instinctive action. The professional bodyguard attempts to anticipate threats to the principal and avoid them, but if the threat cannot be avoided and turns up with a gun in its hand a few feet away, the bodyguard's reflexes and skill with his or her own weapon may dictate the need to move between that threat and the principal. The good bodyguard, however, does not want to stand and fight. No matter how accurate the bodyguard's own shot may be, the attacker might still get off a shot that could harm the protectee. Whenever possible, the good bodyguard will help the principal run away so that he or she can sign the bodyguard's paycheck another day ! Professional bodyguards are not large thugs whose principal function is to bash a path through groupies for a rock star. My British friends term such quasibodyguards 'minders' and view them as a separate breed from professional bodyguards. Most of the protective personnel I've known have been well educated and well read, have presented an excellent appearance and moved well in the social situations in which their job has placed them. World leaders, members of royalty and corporate CEOs who can afford well-paid and well-trained protective teams do not want to surround themselves with thugs who will demean them by their presence. My police and military backgrounds have certainly helped me gain employment in VIP protection, but my university education hasn't hurt either! Well-dressed, professional bodyguards who exude an air of competence not only act as a deterrent to attack, but also can enhance the status of their employer. For a better understanding of how the professional bodyguard thinks and acts, read on. Leroy Thompson. Manchester, Missouri. ...