willb

hi there, im new here and am currently in university. once i leave university i would like to join the Rmp as an officer. I was just wondering whether or not i would be able to go into Close Protection as an officer as i am very interested in it.
thanks for any replies

neiljordan

Willb

There's nothing stopping you having a crack at the CP Cse, once you've jumped through all the hoops and joined Rmp & served a couple of years. If you pass, then you'll be on the CP Roll, however, this doesn't mean you'll ever get a tour.

There are a couple of Op tours now where the officer (a Captain in rank) is a 'TL' but, the experience is brought to the party by the 2i/c, who'll be a SNCO/WO, have been in CP for the majority of his career and knows the ropes, so to speak.

The chances are you will get selected for a team and you can pretty much guarentee that it will be the only tour you do, unless things change or you get lucky. It's all part of your career development and later (yrs later) on with the course and a tour behind you, you may find yourself back in the role of OC CPU. It's a senior Major's post and those who get the job usually leave as a Lt Col.

Several mates of mine joined the ranks, having gained a degree and subsequently spent over half their careers in Close Protection. You should consider this if you want to put the qualification to good use.

Neil

willb

okay sorry about this but let me see if i understand.
i have been told that in the army if you have a degree you can make captain two years after RMAS. so after a few tours on general duties with the Rmp i will be able to apply for the Close Protection course. if i manage to complete this i will then be available to go on CP tours but only if the chance arises. however as captain i would be in command and would have an experienced NCO as my second in command.
I am mainly looking at the RMP for the diverse experience it can offer. i am also interested in pursuing a career in close protection or surveilance. im going to be totally honest here and say my reasons are mainly money motivated and from what ive read and seen the money is good in the above private sectors.
Also only today i read of security managment and advisors and am just woundering what sort of money these types of jobs pay.
thanks again

neiljordan

In answer to the first paragraph, 'yes'. You seem to have a grip on what I said!

In short...CP within Rmp is still the domain of the Non-Commisssioned Officer. Officer's may command the Unit at Longmoor but, there isn't a promotion structure in CP like there is in the SIB and this is why Officers tend to just do the course and stay within mainstream RMP.

Not every Officer who passes the CP Cse will get a tour. One, because there aren't the posts to go around and two, may be the person concerned barely makes the grade. In which case those who perform better will leap frog ahead.

As for the second paragraph, if you're money motivated, don't join the Army. The private sector is always going to pay more. In today's climate Security & Risk Management is a good bet and worth considering.

Neil

willb

cheers mate you've been really helpful.
i was just thinking that if i had the experience of being an army officer it would stand me in a good postition for security management roles?

DirrrtyDave77

not my views obviously but made me chuckle a little bit!

Close Protection - ARRSEpedia

neiljordan

In the HE I work in ex-officers tend to get the Project Management/Ops management roles upwards. You don't need to be ex-RMP to land a position like this, just have some operational experience behind you and resign...

Neil

neiljordan

The art of looking nails in the face of extreme danger. CP operatives are highly-trained and exceptionally motivated individuals who's sole purpose is to make everyone feel uncomfortable and nervous.
The RMP CP course is run at the Defence Police College at Southwick Park, Portsmouth. It is an arduous 28 day course which consists of the following:

• Rolling out of high speed vehicles
• Driving through cardboard boxes
• Running across rooftops
• Shooting stuff up
• Drinking large amounts of whiskey
• Shagging ropey landladies

Course candidates are encouraged to grow their hair and enormous sideys, though moustaches are obligatory and not mandatory.
CP trainees can often be seen training around the environs of Hampshire, pulling Js and handbrake turns in old Cortinas, Grenadas and the odd Jag. CP operatives invariably smell of stale fags and booze and have dress sense that is questionable - vital attributes that enable them to blend in to society in Third World operational theatres such as Leeds. To the initiated, beige slip-ons are the giveaway.
They also get to wear a fancy badge on their 1s and 2s. Under no circumstances are the words 'Command' and 'Post' to be associated with this badge upon inquiry as to what it's for, as you will be unceremoniously nicked... you slag! Or shot. Or both.



This is the ARRSE description of CP.



Needless to say, it's totally inaccurate. Droopy Moustaches were de-rigur in the 80's and mandatory!


Odd Jags, there were, and an odder dress sense (tight Rohan short, shorts to name one). J Turns were in, but it was more beer than whisky as I recall...all before my time anyway...


The original authors 'source' is pretty close to the mark, however, I'm not too sure about the team deployment to 'Leeds'.



Neil

aston

whats the score with Longmoor is it not held there anymore? you on the civi Circuit now?

aston

hippy

They make it sound a bad thing???

In a serious response to the thread (I know, I know... Hippy being serious) Go for it chap...
Great life..