“Why can’t I find a job?” This is a common response coming from combat veterans recently discharged from United States Military Service. It is more prevalent from those who are seeking employment within a very competitive and now heavily regulated industry that is turning away the “Non-Professional” or egotistical individual who has expectations of earning a high dollar six figure salary upon being discharged with common U.S. Defense Contractors. Such reputable defense contractors as Triple Canopy and DynCorp International are now being more selective as to who they hire. Especially since the United States Government has started pulling the leash on the “Cowboy Up” and “Fly By Night” operational mindsets that several contracting companies as well as operators themselves have been prone display in “Red Zones” today. There is an obvious new standard of operations that current and future operators must have if they intend to succeed as a defense contractor. Simply put education and different specialized training is a necessity in today’s civilian market.

Since most defense contracting jobs include protection of personnel or PSD (Protective Security Detail) work, contracting companies are looking for operators with the combat mindset and basic infantry skills, as well as the quiet professional types. Humble individuals that possess the essential infantry skills, interpersonal skills expected by high dollar clients and the close personal protection skills that are required in a new urban conflict zone. These same skill sets are essential to use in “Green,” non-hostile areas such as the United States for protecting similar clientele in a more evasive, less war-like environment.

Executive Protection training certainly isn’t new, yet it is a transitional skill that can be used overseas as well as in a professional protection occupation in the United States or around the world. Combining the infantry skills and discipline that is hard-wired into most GI’s today allows them to take a step into another aspect of security that keeps them with their families and loved ones; and ultimately allows them to go home at the end of each day after work. These EP skills are not typically taught to today’s soldiers because they are simply not a necessity to have in today’s military. However, they are quickly becoming a necessity for contracting and security firms that operate both abroad and within the U.S.

To make things easier on veterans stepping away from the military and trying to step into such careers as Executive Protection; companies like Covered 6 are providing transitional executive protection courses that will fill in the missing pieces that vets need to dive into such a career. These courses are taught from simple to advanced stages, usually lasting a minimum of 2 days to complete a level 1 course. After which a new foundation is laid for further training and advancement within the industry. Covered 6 even offers job placement assistance and works very closely with Executive Protection firms who are looking to hire professional’s right after successful completion of the course.

Covered 6 is offering these classes at realistic costs for veterans and is fighting hard to ensure these classes get reimbursed by the EDD (Employment Development Department) of California so that today’s veterans have a better chance at getting hired faster right out of the military.

Veterans beware; you’re not done training yet. Take advantage of companies that are offering you the knowledge you need to get your foot in the door with security firms everywhere. Covered6 will not only train you, they will encourage and mentor you to attain the right EP job with the right company.

Thanks for reading.

Derek Porter – Former Military Contractor

C6 Business Development and Special Projects