ESI Lifeforce

[daveatc]

Does anyone have any personal experience with ESI-Lifeforce (http://www.esi-lifeforce.com)? I've got 13 years experience in the USAF, including work as a Farsi Linguist and some work on the ground in Afghanistan and the Balkans, but I might make the move to Personal Security in a couple years. Came across Executive Security International through the recommendations of an FBI guy that I know, but I wanted to see what other people in the world thought. Thinking of doing their Certified Security Specialist program.

Thanks a lot, in advance, for the opinions! Always appreciated.

[CAMedic]

I attended the Special Operation PSD course last year. I thought it was a good, basic, course. There were a couple of safety issues during training that I got pissed off at (20 yrs LE makes you really concious of errors), however, all in all a good course to get you started off.

The best part of doing the ESI bit is the contacts you make during and after training. They are really big on keeping students in the know and referrals abound.

Good instructors, good range, nice to beat the shit out of their suburbans (oops). Working your details in a functioning city with all the things that can go wrong makes it a real learning process. No role playing cops, traffic, etc.

Give them a call and get a feel for it. I hope my .02 helped out.

[shaharazad]

I am currently working with ESI. I had a chance to work with the Ambassador's PSD in Baghdad, and even if you're familiar with high-threat, this is a great course to take. There's a bit of a difference working in a warzone and working stateside. And while the education received is outstanding, the contacts made keep people pretty well employed.

Say hi to Natalie for me, and tell her I'm working on my course material! :)

[daveatc]

Thanks a lot for the info. Great to hear some other comments on the place. As far as the training, if I was interested in doing overseas work as well, do you think I'd still be alright doing the CSS course as opposed to the Spec Ops PSD course? I am sure some of that depends on my background, but I have some experience on the ground overseas.

Again, thanks.

[CAMedic]

Each class has it's own "flavor". The SO course is geared toward overseas work. The PSD portion is more aggresive than the EP course, as it should be in that you are usually in a more hostile environment than Beverly Hills.

The CSS course would be a good start, make sure you gear your learning towards overseas. Contact Martha Brunig and ask her about where you should start. Tell her Jim T from the April 07 SO course referred you.

[daveatc]

Thanks a lot!

Jim, have you found a direct correlation between your course and an increased ability in you securing employment? I've heard countless things about the connections within the alumni of the school being almost as valuable as the training itself.

[Massgrunt]

I am currently working with ESI. I had a chance to work with the Ambassador's PSD in Baghdad, and even if you're familiar with high-threat, this is a great course to take. There's a bit of a difference working in a warzone and working stateside. And while the education received is outstanding, the contacts made keep people pretty well employed.

Say hi to Natalie for me, and tell her I'm working on my course material! :)
Which ambassador? I'm not aware of any US ambassador's using any security outside of the WPPS program. Am I misinformed?

[Silverbullet]

Which ambassador? I'm not aware of any US ambassador's using any security outside of the WPPS program. Am I misinformed?

No you're not. I'm curious about this statement as well.

[shaharazad]

You are not misinformed. I was trying (poorly) to point out that if most of his experience has been military in high-threat areas, it's a bit of a change when you switch to low-threat in the States and a course is good to emphasize that. We have had a couple of issues with guys whose only experience was in Iraq.
The only protective work I had experience with before my current EP job was with the 3-shop of 3ACR for our COL, and while I was in the front office at the embassy in Baghdad (to get DoS experience), I found that the staties drove me absolutely apeshit, so I got to roll with BW Advance APD a number of times as their translator while I was there. (arabic & spanish - could talk to the iraqi AND the honduran guards :) . Plus, being military, I was always armed, so they gave me a little OJT. Got a nice little certificate for it and everything!! :D Turned out I had a lot more fun with them keeping an eye on the property during the Ambo's parties than I did when I actually attended the "little get-together."

Now I do some EP, mostly conventions in nice hotels with good free food, a fine per diem, take a plane to work, prefer to work long hours while at work, and have fun when I'm not. I have a wonderful time. Though I do miss being overseas.

[Massgrunt]

Ah, gotcha.

[Miguel]

[QUOTE=I've got 13 years experience in the USAF, including work as a Farsi Linguist [/QUOTE]

I may be naive but, I'd be marketing that language skill set, far more aggressively then trying to get in on the protection side.

[CAMedic]

Dave,

The guys try and take care of each other once you finish. There is an ESI alumni group that passes on job offers, training courses, etc within the "family". They are all over the globe, so if you qualify, and want it, you can usually get into something good. The are also good at letting you know what's not good, who's not up to par, etc. Just like you find here.

Also, the instructors can be top of the line BTDT guys coming out of a rotation from overeseas. We had two that were taking some down time before going back on new contracts, lots of years in the job OCONUS working some very heavy details, so you can get the latest word and techniques.

I hope that helps.

[daveatc]

I may be naive but, I'd be marketing that language skill set, far more aggressively then trying to get in on the protection side.

It's actually relatively easy to get a job doing that kind of work, so I don't have to market too hard thankfully!!

[DocW]

I'm finishing the CSS right now. Did RT in September adn it was a very good course with lots of one on one with instuctors if you want it. I've called more than one instructor since leaving RT for info or advice and they are all anxious to help you. Glad I did it.

[sigma1]

I went to the first SO course they had. It was in NC in 2005. great course, great range, great instructors. AT that course the Defensive Driving was part of the course. You better know already how to shoot and shoot well. No time to learn on the SO course.
Safety was never a problem. Not sure about the other ranges in Colorado.
The best part is the networking. I have not stoped working since I did that course and all the contracts I had came in a way or another from my ESI instructors.

[RazorSix]

I also attended the first SO course in 2005. IMO it was a great course staffed with excellent instuctors. It was worth the time and money.

[SGTROCK]

Iam a graduate of ESI Advanced Executive Protection course in 2001 and have been working ever since.

Rock

[RickyRecon]

Soooo.... Can we use our GI Bill?

[DocW]

For EP course you can use gi bill if you do the residency, not distance ed. For the high risk course you will be able to use gibill for the fall residency 2008. Call for further details.

[daveatc]

Thanks for all the great info. I am starting out 2008 by enrolling in the course.

[Seanmcd82]

Sorry to be late to the thread....

I attended the Executive Protection course in the late 80's, maybe 89?

Even back then, when the school was much smaller than it is now, the training was excellent. I believe it was a 4 week course, with a full 5 days spent at the range shooting until my hand was bleeding and numb.

Perhaps the best core training I had ever received, shooting, driving, and the H2H was incredible. Most of the training was done by Mr. Duggan and a few other staff.

I know that what the training was like 20 years ago may not help you now, but the company has been around for a long time. Take from that what you will.

Sean

[daveatc]

Sorry to be late to the thread....

I attended the Executive Protection course in the late 80's, maybe 89?

Even back then, when the school was much smaller than it is now, the training was excellent. I believe it was a 4 week course, with a full 5 days spent at the range shooting until my hand was bleeding and numb.

Perhaps the best core training I had ever received, shooting, driving, and the H2H was incredible. Most of the training was done by Mr. Duggan and a few other staff.

I know that what the training was like 20 years ago may not help you now, but the company has been around for a long time. Take from that what you will.

Sean

Any info is good info! Thanks for the input.

[Seanmcd82]

Sure thing.....

I am not sure who conducts the training these days, but I can tell you that I was heavily influenced by Mr. Duggan when I met him.

You could say he is a serious man...........

Good Luck.

[Marines1775]

I'm attending the EP & PSD course this fall. I'm wondering how high will the career opportunities will be after I graduate?

[Marines1775]

It's the ESI course in Colorado.

[rgrjoe175]

I'm attending the EP & PSD course this fall. I'm wondering how high will the career opportunities will be after I graduate?

Post an intro.

[SGTROCK]

Sure thing.....

I am not sure who conducts the training these days, but I can tell you that I was heavily influenced by Mr. Duggan when I met him.

You could say he is a serious man...........

Good Luck.Did you know that Bob was a Marxist Revolutionary not sure if it was 60's or 70's. So you can say he is a serious Capitalist now lol
The man does know his Hwrang Do though.
Rock

[Wiggin1]

Marines 1775, I would talk with Brandon Delcamp at ESI about your question he will tell you all you want to know.

[Seanmcd82]

Did you know that Bob was a Marxist Revolutionary not sure if it was 60's or 70's. So you can say he is a serious Capitalist now lol
Rock

Yes, I know a bit about his background, interesting life he has lead.


The man does know his Hwrang Do though.


I attribute my shoulder injuries, that persist to this day, to too many times volunteering to be his 'test subject' for demonstation purposes.

Ouch :frown: