What do think of us Bodyguards or Close Protection Officers?

[Pharoah]

Close Protection Officers, We risk life for money, CPOs from my campany CPSS www.cpsecurityservices.com earns over £120,000 ($240,000) per year after tax for working in Iraq & Afghanistan, some of guys I know have families but r working in highly dangerous places. what do you think?

[nichola1208]

Bullet catchers are what I call them. My husband was a bodyguard and then a CPO worked only in the UK though. I hated him doing it though he absolutely loved it and hasn't enjoyed anything else he has done since he gave it up. It is a single man's job and I used to highly resent the fact he was putting his life on the line for someone other than his family. I could accept it if he was serving in the armed forces but not for protecting the life of an individual. In the end I made him choose - his wife and kids or his employer. Money is no substitute for a Father and Husbands life.

[neemo]

Pharoah

ref your wages, its good to see a provider that actually pays his manpower a decent wage
instead of taking the lions share
most companies that i know of, pay their manpower between £200-£300 whilst in country, and nothing when they are on leave.

with CPOs they have had quite a bit of bad press ie Blackwater and URG,
and it dosent help being labeled a mercenary either

the way i see thing is that im a provider for my family, the more i provide the better standards of living they have

you all realise the risks that come with the job, its all a balancing act.

[covert munkey]

I would probably be the same,

You know the risks but you work hard for a short time so as to improve the standard of living for your family and kids.

Its a risk worth doing i think?

[Pepe]

Up until recently I was working in London on potentially hazardous operations. My wife always said when I walked out the door it was like I was walking into another life and that she never really knew the person at work ie me. She was right on the money. It was another world, and a world that she and my kids won't ever come close too in the near future because of the efforts of folks who put themselves in that arena. She didn't like it, but it was a job and I worked for the police so that in her eyes made it ok. The pay however was dire. Now I am in the private sector I have the chance to put to good use the skills I have gathered over the years with police and military and earn an above average wage providing for my family and give them a better quality of life.

We have been down the route of normality (whatever that is) and for a period I was (and still am) a qualified photographer. Money was mediocre and the hours were long... very long! But inside I knew there was something missing, and more importantly so did my wife.

I sympathise with Nichola and understand her point of view. There must be many partners (both male & female) around the world as I write this who feel the same. Although I think bullet catcher is a little harsh! I like to think that our professionalism and experience are all part of the mix in the planning stages and keep our clients / principals and ourselves well out of harms way. But I take her point and accept that sometimes it is unavoidable. Without being melodramatic its who we are inside. Some of us can accept the normal existence of "civilian" life, for others (and as I say I have tried) its not that easy. But each has his or her own reasons for doing what we do, money, adrenalin, or running away. Some don’t have an option and its all the can do, all they have ever known. Some like myself like to think that as well as providing for our families that we make a difference in some small way, whether that be looking after someone who may change life for the better on a scale that we ourselves cannot, or gathering intel / evidence to put away "the bad guys" on what ever level you work at.

Sorry Pharoah... didn't mean to hijack your thread. I am intrigued though as to why you asked the question in the first place?

Bill (Pepe)

[covert munkey]

Ladies and gentlemen i think we've found ourselves the brains/philospher within this forum!

LOL

Pepe you strike me as being very articulated. Your post is very precise and accurate!

CM

[Pepe]

Quote:

Originally Posted by covert munkey Ladies and gentlemen i think we've found ourselves the brains/philospher within this forum! LOL Pepe you strike me as being very articulated. Your post is very precise and accurate! CM

LOL... I have been called many things over the years but never brains / philosopher !
Thank you.
I take it that you could relate?

[Ellers]

Pharoah, Id like to ask a question if I may.

Would you as an employer take on a newly qualified guy who was looking for that first job?

[PSA]

mmmmmmmm,

Aint war hell!!!!!

To go hostile or to live longer,that is the question.!

[Ellers]

From my time OOA id rather live to be completly honest ! ! !