sutty

I trained with the PBA in 1996 and JT was outstanding.You lived and worked as if you were operational and left with the ability and confidence to start and progress in a career of cp.
This is probably why im a little bit dissapointed with the industry today as the training today just dosnt compare to what it was then.It was way beyond the bench mark set by the sia.

Bravo24

Hi Jhale, PBA is good training, i agree u train hard but its worth it in the end!!!! Steve is the man!good luck whoever you choose

Stay safe and Watch your back

mhoughbg

as an executive life member of the PBA since 2005, JT's course gave me the foundations for this line of work, but no real support after the course, but the course is still one of the best courses I have attended, military or civilian, good luck on your course but passing it will not guarantee you work.

jhale

thanks very mech for your reply. I realise there are no guarantees but I am determined. Cheers again.

jhale

Thanks for your reply. Am determined so just want to be sure of the course. Cheers

jhale

Thanks for the reply, appreciate your honesty. Am determined to pick the right course, complete it and hopefully break into the industry. Just all a bit mind boggling as am reading so many different things at present. Am sure it will be PBA i go with. Cheers again for your help.

RW1

Hi All...

After leaving the army, I had training with the PBA in 1999 and 2000, back in the day before the sia was conceived and there were only two or three training providers to speak of.

Over the years I've been working since my courses, I've come across a lot of mixed thoughts and opinions on the PBA but then people have a lot of thoughts and opinions on everything... point being, you won't get everyone to agree about everything... that’s life! And given that the PBA has been around since 1985, it is bound to attract more than its fair share of professional jealousies.

Personally, I think the PBA course is one of the best I've been on. Why? Well it’s a real time training situation/environment with a good ratio of theory and practical. You don't just do a nine to five classroom situation, and then retire to your own en suite room to watch TV or go down the pub. In addition to the theory, you put in to real practice what you've learnt. And you work hard... with ongoing activities during supposed down time.

You've spent good money on a course, you want to get the most out of your investment... and you only get out of something what you're prepared to put in to it.

And besides, if you're not prepared to work hard, then you're in the wrong job!

Too many people think Close Protection is ONLY about Executive Directors, 5 Star Hotels and south of France beaches. More often than not, these types of operators are the first to whinge when they're not treated like pop stars themselves. The operators who think P stands for "posers" and not professionalism that we unfortunately seem to have in this industry. (These operators need a reality check... it's the principals lifestyle you're riding on the back of!)

I was recently on another (very good) course with a different company and the instructors had heard a few bad things about the PBA. Some people had complained about having to "stag on" during their course, (during dark hours, after lessons and in addition to gathering intel, preparing reports and preparing for the next days assignments.) Well I'm afraid to say that stagging on is part and parcel of being a CP operative. As is having too many tasks and not enough time to do them! Well the PBA have just given you a taste of what to expect.

So who is going to get work? Those who crack up under the "pressure" or whinge about the workload or those who get their head down and crack on with the job at hand?

Those that don't like something or fail will always gripe and groan about it, and even ridicule to justify their own point of view and sentiment.

Additionally, there are quite a few things said and done within the PBA. Some true, some not so true. (Some students see this as bullshitting. Fair one, if that’s your point of view.) From a course point of view, its teaching you what to believe, who to trust and principally build up a certain level of paranoia that helps keep you alive in this industry.

If you're the kind of person that takes everything said and done at face value then you're too trusting to be in this industry. But then just because you've never heard of this name or that name, it doesn't mean it's all bollocks either. (I for one use a different name from time to time when I don't know who I'm dealing with.) You need to be able to know when to make the right judgement calls!

As for the Manual, I would describe it as one of the most authoritative guides on the subject. (And I'm lucky enough to have an inclusion in the third manual.)
Following on from my original course I’ve done a few jobs for the PBA and had more than a few referrals from them.

Since I have been operational overseas in the last few years, I only recently (July 2008,) returned to the PBA for my sia badging. The course is as good as ever, despite only being 15 days and not 24 days as was the norm before hand. I also got my badge processed within 20 days; with no hassle what so ever.

You could do a lot worse than a course with the PBA... after all they're the originals, and they're still on the go...

Stay safe...


Rob W.


PS - Andy I, how's it going? A long time no see, (I think the meeting in Harrogate was the last time,) drop me a PM bud.

Kiwi PSD

Hey RW1,

JT must have given you some invisible ink as well mate...LOL....your post in black was a bit hard to read but I totally agree with all your comments. I really enjoyed the course & Steve is a master of mis & dis-information. The manuals are almost a auto biography for the work JT has done. All good & Thanks again for the post

Stay SAFE

jhale

Thanks RW1. great information given, really appreciate your comments.

sutty

spot on RW1. I couldn't agree more.

What would you chose.Train to be a body guard or train to pass an exam.
I know what I choose every time.
Its to easy to give a 20 minute coffee break every 40 Min's.Because they cant stretch the course to 150 hours.