I have no military background, am I wasting my time and money?!

[thisisanfield]

I'm 22 years old, physically fit and very active. I thought that as I'm fairly young I could have a long and successful career in Close Protection.

After reading various articles, I'm beginning to have doubts as I'm not so sure people would be willing to take a risk on someone with no military training.

I'd be very grateful for any guidence.

Many Thanks,

Sean

[Ram Man]

First advice m8,your first post shouldnt be starting a thread you should have posted in the correct area .

[Marian]

you should read this there are answers to some of your questions there:
First timer

[R2700m]

Not all companies require Mil or police experience. However most require training and recognised qualifications and an sia license. Some also prefer their operators to be of a certain group. You dont state wether you intend to work in the UK or overseas, however wthout any military experience you will find it extremely difficult to get a contract in either Afgan or Iraq.

Good luck

[CPO445]

Sean to be blunt mate your too young - of course there are wise and knowledgable people out there at your age but I would not employ you until you had aqquired some more life skills first

[mickworldwide]

I agree with the above comments mate, 22 is a bit too young for the industry especially with no former Mil or police background. Normally this experience is not a prerequisit of doing a course and in fact gaining employment but at 22 your chances of obtaining a position that paid well enough to cover your costs would be minimal.
For HE positions I would put your chances at Nil or next to nil due to the above reasons.

[yorkie030]

Check out my thread too mate, as it may help you with your question.

Your thoughts please guys.........

[Roadhog]

I have to agree with all the above posts. For hostile environments- Iraq, Afghanistan, to be quite blunt forget it. For the UK, it's possible, but it will be very difficult for you- your age (or lack thereof) will always be with you, even were you to get your sia CP I'll be honest I wouldn't employ you until you were 25 plus and had experience- because some of the clients I have worked for in the UK would be unhappy, to say the least, if I were to provide a 22 year old bodyguard.

When you are so young finding work in the security industry- especially CP can be a real struggle. I speak from experience, I started in the security industry when I was 20, so I know from experience it is possible, but I was bloody lucky to work for a security company that was in desparate need of guys and was in the business of supplying guys for other peoples wars- this is pre the acceptability of PMCs. Even so it was a struggle to convince guys I was working with- who were all older and far more experienced (and mostly South African)- that I was able to perform to the standard, and that I wouldn't cut and run or let them down. But as I said I was very lucky, the industry now is very different.

Now this may not be the answer you want to hear, but I have a perfect solution to your predicament in several ways;

1st how to get some age under your belt;
2nd how to get the best training in CP in the world- and get paid for it;
3rd how to get military- especially CP- experience;

The answer is- join the Rmp of course!!!
Spend a few years in the RMP, do the CP training at Longmoor and you will have the age, experience and training to be a CP/Psd operator in the civilian world. Who knows you may even stay in and have a career.
PS If you don't fancy being a rozzer in the army, you could look at infantry and trying for special forces as another option- this would pretty much guarantee PSD work.

Good luck anyway.

[covert munkey]

Good advice from everyone. Thanks guys for being ......you.....haha is that not something you should be saying to the misses?

[sunshine]

Quote:

Originally Posted by thisisanfield I'm 22 years old, physically fit and very active. I thought that as I'm fairly young I could have a long and successful career in Close Protection.

Sean,
As people have said you are a bit to young for going straight into the Close Protection Industry.
If you feel that it is want you want to do give it a couple of years and establish yourself on the doors.
You will learn so much if you get with the right companies that by the time you wish to come into the CP industry your mind set should be right. Go out and get street wise.
As I have said before some of the best CP guys out there have a Civvy background, Michael Billman, Peter C and Gerry Judd to name a few.
Don't loose the desire just wait a while