Anyone heard of ESI?

[armitage]

Hi all,

One of my Security Officers at the hospital is thinking of doing the Executive Protection course offered by ESI - http://www.esi-lifeforce.com/

Just wondering if anyone has heard any good/bad things about them?

He's had 4 years experience in Air Force Security Forces, including a tour in Iraq, and was thinking of getting into the Exec. Protection Field of work.

Thanks in advance for any info!

[ExecPro]

It's a good program for EP.

Just remember, this training does not provide a job.

What kind of EP do you want to get into?

[EH126]

I've read a couple of articles in gun/ cop magazines saying that it's a good school. But then, I've also been told by a friend that going to either Taylor Group in Maryland, or going to the ISA in Israel is a better deal.

Since I don't do EP, I'd say listen to people who work the the EP field first.

[ExecPro]

Like I said, it's a good program, but so are alot of the other schools.

It's not like Law Schools where you get picked up because you went to Harvard, Princeton, ect., so find whatever fits best for your situation. Experience counts alot more than a 3 week training program. Generally, these training courses are really meant to augment the skills of individuals already in EP, not to provide entry into the field.

I'd suggest getting started with a small local company (many PI's also do EP) that needs extra help when they receive EP work. The vast majority of companies that say they do EP don't have full-time employees dedicated strictly to protection work. Typically, they pull from their connections and current staff (PI's, Surveillance guys, security people, ect) and put the team together. It's a good way to get into the business and allows you to put EP on your resume, but remember, more than likely it won't be full-time, or even part-time. It will most likely be sporadic on an as-needed basis.

[talon]

I have been on alot of jobs with ESI graduates. I have yet to be impressed with any of them . Not to knock the school, it's probably pretty good. But, I am always of the idea that you cannot teach common sense, work ethic and attitude. You are either a squared away person or you are not.

I don't think that it will hurt you in anyway to take these types of courses, but on the other hand it will get you little if any work just because you have it. Networking is the most important part of EP type jobs. In other words it's not what you know but who you know.

[ExecPro]

I have been on alot of jobs with ESI graduates. I have yet to be impressed with any of them . Not to knock the school, it's probably pretty good. But, I am always of the idea that you cannot teach common sense, work ethic and attitude. You are either a squared away person or you are not.

I don't think that it will hurt you in anyway to take these types of courses, but on the other hand it will get you little if any work just because you have it. Networking is the most important part of EP type jobs. In other words it's not what you know but who you know.

EP is a pretty small circle. In my area, I personally know the majority of guys qualified to do protection work.

However, "what you know", is still important. I want whoever I'm working with to know the principles of protection, advanced procedures, and the choreography of protection. Lot's of people getting into the field don't know these basic functions and rely on infantry style training and LEO command presence. While those things are important, they need to be polished with EP focused training.

[talon]

EP is a pretty small circle. In my area, I personally know the majority of guys qualified to do protection work.

However, "what you know", is still important. I want whoever I'm working with to know the principles of protection, advanced procedures, and the choreography of protection. Lot's of people getting into the field don't know these basic functions and rely on infantry style training and LEO command presence. While those things are important, they need to be polished with EP focused training.

I agree with you on this, and I believe you when you say that those are the qualities that you look for. However, in my experience that isn't what the vast majority of protection teams are looking for. They just want to make sure that they and their buddies have the best gigs (easiest) on an assignment. I would love for this business (EP,security) to be based on know how, but I don't see it happening in my lifetime.

[ExecPro]

It really depends on the client you serve.

The majority of my work is done in a corporate setting. The stereotypical "bodyguard" wouldn't be able to function covertly in that kind of environment (meetings, lunch, golf,) if they weren't properly trained or had previous professional experience.

Your profile says you are a "security contractor", and since we are talking about EP, I assume you are a government contractor on PSD. If that is so, I'm surprised by your experience. While some bad apples slip into the group, the majority of PMC's I've been acquainted with are pretty squared away. They've received good training and have good military experience. The competition for the slots are stiff, so the contractors usually get quality people.

Also, I'm a bit confused about how you said, that EP guys just want to get their friends good gigs. If you are a security contractor, you don't really have a say in what assignment you are given, or what one your friends have, so perhaps you could clearify.

As I said before, it really comes down to your client and their expectations. If you are doing celebrity protection, many of the things you alluded to are present. They just want the look and the presence, big guys, bad attitudes. But if you are doing work in a corporate setting, dignitary protection, or contracting, the expectations are typically much higher. You also need to qualify for the position, which usually requires some formal training.

[talon]

It really depends on the client you serve.

The majority of my work is done in a corporate setting. The stereotypical "bodyguard" wouldn't be able to function covertly in that kind of environment (meetings, lunch, golf,) if they weren't properly trained or had previous professional experience.

Your profile says you are a "security contractor", and since we are talking about EP, I assume you are a government contractor on PSD. If that is so, I'm surprised by your experience. While some bad apples slip into the group, the majority of PMC's I've been acquainted with are pretty squared away. They've received good training and have good military experience. The competition for the slots are stiff, so the contractors usually get quality people.

Also, I'm a bit confused about how you said, that EP guys just want to get their friends good gigs. If you are a security contractor, you don't really have a say in what assignment you are given, or what one your friends have, so perhaps you could clearify.

As I said before, it really comes down to your client and their expectations. If you are doing celebrity protection, many of the things you alluded to are present. They just want the look and the presence, big guys, bad attitudes. But if you are doing work in a corporate setting, dignitary protection, or contracting, the expectations are typically much higher. You also need to qualify for the position, which usually requires some formal training.

I have done Government contracts on several occassions. I've only worked stateside EP details. I don't do them all time, just when they come up. So, no, I'm not talking about the Blackwater type companies overseas. So I will only speak for what I have experienced. I'm not saying "all" details are that way, but a whole heckuva lot of them are. If a person is on one team all the time, I can see that you would have a squared away team, or small group of good guys to choose from. I work with many different companies all over the US so basically you don't know who is going to be on the team alot of times and that makes a difference. Hope that cleared it up.

[ExecPro]

I guess im just confused about your position.

Not to many government contracts to do EP work in the states, LE has those pretty much covered. When you say you are a "security contractor", do you just mean that you do contract security?

The word "contractor" especially, in the EP world, is looked at differently. If I told some one in my field that I was a "security contractor", they would assume I meant government contract, typically through the Defense or State Department, not government contract-security, like guarding government buildings.

Just saying, "security contractor", and "contract security", carry different connotations. When you say you worked government contracts, I assume you just mean contract security for a government installation.

I guess your situation is unique, because I've never showed up to work not knowing who I'd be working with that day. Occassionally teams overlap (very common at large events), but putting a 4 man detail (who don't know eachother, haven't work together) on a principal is very irresponisble. To me that just sounds like a goon-squade.

[talon]

I guess im just confused about your position.

Not to many government contracts to do EP work in the states, LE has those pretty much covered. When you say you are a "security contractor", do you just mean that you do contract security?

The word "contractor" especially, in the EP world, is looked at differently. If I told some one in my field that I was a "security contractor", they would assume I meant government contract, typically through the Defense or State Department, not government contract-security, like guarding government buildings.

Just saying, "security contractor", and "contract security", carry different connotations. When you say you worked government contracts, I assume you just mean contract security for a government installation.

I guess your situation is unique, because I've never showed up to work not knowing who I'd be working with that day. Occassionally teams overlap (very common at large events), but putting a 4 man detail (who don't know eachother, haven't work together) on a principal is very irresponisble. To me that just sounds like a goon-squade.

Ok, let me try again. There are actually many companies that do EP, labor disputes and government contracting troughout the US and worldwide in some cases. I don't work for any of them full time. I contract out to different companies at different times for different things. If an EP job comes up and I get a call from a company, and I want to go...I go. If a govt job comes up and a certain company is involved and I want to go...I go. If a labor dispute is going on somewhere and I get a call and I want to go...I go.

Like I said, most jobs I've been on have had graduates from the many different schools out there as well as military and leo types. All I'm saying is that the school doesn't make the man/woman. It sounds as if you work locally, with the same folks all the time and thats great. I am just coming at this from a different perspective. Neither is right or wrong, they just are what they are.

[LV_PSO]

One of my coworkers went through ESI and highly recommens them. He's technically a coworker since he does limited duties with us, but his main job is with one of the gaming companies that operates quite a few of the casinos on the Las Vegas Strip. His principal is the Chairman of the Board, and he said he feels very qualified for the job with his ESI and LE training combined.

[Nauticus]

I know this is an old thread, but I'm going to add my two cents anyway.

As a PI/EP guy myself, I think schools like ESI are very good, but not necessarily to qualify you.

In order to be a good EP, you usually can't come out of the military or law enforcement and be a qualified EP professional, unless you spent time doing that service in your previous job. An ex-military person with no previous EP training is about as qualified to do it as a contract security person with no previous experience.

With that said, a lot of these training programs exist to teach you how to use your pre-existing experience and skills and tailor it for EP use. An ex-military person, for example, would have all the skills needed to be part of a PSD, and all it really takes is a program to train and tailor that persons' skills to the new role.

Typically, ESI may not "get" you a job if you have no business doing EP. But it can help you immensely if you do have business doing EP.

Completing a program in EP will teach you how to do the job and to use your skills to do so, as well as wrap it up on your resume by showing your experience, and the steps you're taking to make yourself a good EP professional.

[KCPoulin]

I'm a 1989 Alumni and so is Tim from S2. The learning and network you get from this school is second to none. If you are going into EP work then this is the place to start. If you are to be successful, you will need to be in the top 5% of your class so bring your thinking cap on and don't leave home without some real common sense or you'll wast your money. ;-)

[jtwestern]

SPECOPS/PSD 2007. +1 on the above comment.

[Condo Guard]

As far as ESI goes, much of it is fitting into a corporate enviornment. So, you learn about business ettiquette and which fork gets used for what in the 4 star restaurant as well as evasive driving tactics and working crowds. When I worked corporate security the ESI grads fit right in - they were all very professional.

The one thing I remember about the guys that did get EP gigs periodically was how egotistical and selfish a lot of the celebrities were. I couldn't do it - I'd be verbally popping off and fired within days. Money and fame are great, but I'm not your indentured servant. Those guys were way more patient with their clients than I'd ever be...

[Nauticus]

As far as ESI goes, much of it is fitting into a corporate enviornment. So, you learn about business ettiquette and which fork gets used for what in the 4 star restaurant as well as evasive driving tactics and working crowds. When I worked corporate security the ESI grads fit right in - they were all very professional.

The one thing I remember about the guys that did get EP gigs periodically was how egotistical and selfish a lot of the celebrities were. I couldn't do it - I'd be verbally popping off and fired within days. Money and fame are great, but I'm not your indentured servant. Those guys were way more patient with their clients than I'd ever be...

In 2007 I was doing a lot of celebrity protection gigs and, although you're right that some peoples' attitudes or egos seem to be unrestrained, I always interpreted it as just something I put up with. It's not my place to "deal with it", and I have more than enough self-control to ignore it.

[ESI AGENT]

Graduated in 95 as a CPS for whats it's worth. I enjoyed my training with ESI.The instructors were very good and the students in my class were sharp. We had some really good marital artest/shooters.
Like most fields it's all about networking. I know people who know nothing about protection who make really good money faking it. What these schools dont tell you is that EP is a very small aspect of the security industry. Knowledge of EP is a plus as a security manager/consultent or for your own personal protection. I live in L.A. Ca and we cannot get CCW's which makes it rough to get EP jobs. Skills that can improve your ability to get work is, writing skills,computer skills, driving ,medical skills and language skills. For you young guys out there who are looking to make security your field I would join the Marines and become a MSG.(Marine security guard) Check it out on youtube. Back to ESI, I use what I learned their daily and am considering going to their intellegence course. I hope this is helpfull. :rolleyes:

[Curtis Baillie]

Graduated in 95 as a CPS for whats it's worth. I enjoyed my training with ESI.The instructors were very good and the students in my class were sharp. We had some really good marital artest/shooters.
Like most fields it's all about networking. I know people who know nothing about protection who make really good money faking it. What these schools dont tell you is that EP is a very small aspect of the security industry. Knowledge of EP is a plus as a security manager/consultent or for your own personal protection. I live in L.A. Ca and we cannot get CCW's which makes it rough to get EP jobs. Skills that can improve your ability to get work is, writing skills,computer skills, driving ,medical skills and language skills. For you young guys out there who are looking to make security your field I would join the Marines and become a MSG.(Marine security guard) Check it out on youtube. Back to ESI, I use what I learned their daily and am considering going to their intellegence course. I hope this is helpfull. :rolleyes:I agree to the extent that it helped shape my mental toughness, but then Vietnam also did that. The Marine Security Guard program was the only place that taught me proper table manners .....except for my Mom. Plus, I received a $600 civilian clothes issue. Nobody has given me free civies since.:)