“When I consider what the primary difference was which made my ICON experience a greater value and overall experience to my previous training, I believe it is due to the fact the ICON course was  student-centric.  In other words, the course was designed to create and support an environment in which the students actively contributed to their own learning.  To create a course such as this, ICON put in significant time and effort to design and implement experiences which were designed to rapidly transition from the classroom to the real world”.

Donna Angevine

ICON CPC, AEP Course Graduate, January 2012

“I think that reality based training with stress is the best way to learn.  Sitting in a classroom can only teach somebody so much.  Putting people under stress and forcing them to think then act, then reviewing their actions is a much more effective way to learn and you and your staff taught me a lot.  Each member of your staff is a true professional and an effective teacher.”

Jimmy Menzoian

ICON CPC, AEP Course Graduate, January 2012

“In my 15 day journey, a total mental and physical transformation took place. During training, I was introduced to hand-to-hand combat, defensive tactics, and firearm training that was in addition to other tactical and dynamic instruction.  One advantage that ICON has over other Executive Protection courses is the top notch instructors who present up-to-date real life experience in the EP industry.   ICON has given me a great head start into the Executive Protection industry”.

Michael Brown

ICON CPC, AEP Course Graduate, January 2012

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Next Dates

Celebrity & VIP Protection:  April 25 0 29, 2012 (Financing & Scholarships Available)

Advanced Executive Protection (High Risk): April 30 – May 9th, 2012 (Financing & Scholarships Available)

To learn more about the ICON Academy Executive Protection Training Course click on the link.

Congratulating the new graduates of the ICON Advanced Executive Protection Training Course.  Long hours, challenging assignments a few surprises, and the ever present  mantra “drill, drill, drill”.

Thanks for giving 100%! Your efforts showed!

Next course:  April 30 – May 9th, 2012  Special Financing & Scholarship Opportunities Available.  For more information click HERE.

Had a great time over the last few months working on the Bodyguard 2 Minute Tip segments with Harlan Austin of Bodyguard Careers.  The aim is to give some “bite sized” nuggets that would be useful for individuals that are interested in getting into the field of Executive Protection.  So far the response has been extremely positive and in 2012 we plan on more installments, as well as other participants.  In the meantime, you can catch up on the tips in one place by clicking below.

Ethics in Executive Protection

Bodyguards & Professional Email

Choosing An Executive Protection School

Choosing the Right Footwear

Just completed the first ICON Celebrity & VIP Protection Course of 2012.  The ICON Training Academy hosted an intensely motivated group of men and women who decided to invest the time and the resources in continuing education in the field of Executive Protection.  Our goal is to leave students with an experience that delivers the realities (good and bad) of the industry.  So in addition to the “exciting stuff” such as shooting and counteraction drills, there is also the element of stress, fatigue and the looming possibility that because the attackers often get to choose the time and the place – potential failure.

Last night I got to sit down and review the anonymous course evaluation forms, and looks like the overwhelming consensus is that we succeeded in our goal.

Special thanks to my fellow instructors, support staff, and “special guest” and giving a hearty welcome the newest ICON Alumni.

~Elijah Shaw

Next class:  April 25-29, 2012

Special financing & Scholarship opportunities available.  To learn more about future courses click HERE.

Had a great time speaking and attending the 30th Annual Conference hosted by Executive Protection Institute (EPI) and the Nine Lives Associates (NLA).  The event, held in Orlando Fl, consisted of a well balanced mix of seasoned industry veterans as well as  newcomers to the profession who were eager to network and learn.  This was also my first meeting with EPI’s esteemed founder Dr. Richard Kobetz who sat front row during my presentation entitled “A Day In the Life – The Anatomy of a VIP Protection Assignment.”  (When he told me that he enjoyed it, it more than made up for the powerpoint delay that happened at the start!)  With additional presentations that included Harlan “Hucky” Austin, Robert “Rick” Colliver, Charles Randolph, Bill Peeler and a keynote by Lt. Colonel Dave Grossman, I knew I was in esteemed company. Additional thanks to EPI Executive Director Jerry Heying and his team for putting on a great event.

Thanks for the invite,

Elijah Shaw, CEO

Icon Services Corporation  

As a follow up to our Blog posting on Security and Touring with Musicians, Executive Protection Specialist Benjamin Alozie added some points in the international arena that were so good they needed a separate post.

1. The Advance in some third world countries can be more than challenging to effectively execute that said, never go on a road trip without making sure you understand the routes or have someone who understand it and even when you are traveling on the route with a local driver until you get to the final destination always keep an attentive eyes on the road, never assume that the local driver knows how to spot signs of danger, an ambush or a kill zone.

2. When possible and depending on your manpower always make sure a qualified agent or a person you know that can follow guidelines strictly to the letter and is always at the next venue with the welcome party if not you’ll be shocked by the chaos you’ll be greeted with on arrival with your principal.

3. As a foreign protection specialist always keep a low profile and be extremely courteous and respectful to everyone you ever make contact with and when possible be generous with gifts you’ll be shocked with the types of Intel benefits you’ll eventually be getting because of these actions.

4. Make sure you interact with the local staffs and security agents by asking questions that will help you understand their intellectual capacity and even level of training. This will help you to eventually select only the best individuals from the local team that can effectively help you achieve your mission.

5. If you are working with local law enforcement agents make sure you bond with all as much as reasonably possible and most especially with their commanders. Whenever you are working with armed local law enforcements agents make sure that they are part of the people you’ll be monitoring until you are safely back to the hotel or residence with your principal. Why? Accidental discharges are common and it is a common practice to see armed law enforcement officers pointing the barrels of their riffles knowingly or unknowingly at people with fingers on the trigger. You don’t want any type of riffle barrel pointing at you or your principal.

6. Never assume the local security agent and even law enforcement officers will completely secure any location the way it should be done without continuous supervision. So create a means for continuous supervision at every location you are in with the local security agents and law enforcement officers especially in third world countries.

7. If you are lodged in a hotel or luxury apartments always think Personal security and OPSEC because the cleaners and room service people can be very nosy in some countries. I always hang the do not disturb sign on my door until I really need my room cleaned.

8. As an operator in a foreign country always assume that you have already been noticed and targeted by a local criminal group because of either your clean appearance, nationality or color of your skin. Using the opposite sex as a bait to get you is a highly effective methods criminals use in kidnapping westerners especially in third world countries so be careful and try to avoid if possible all forms of unnecessary flirtatious socials and outings with local strangers, limit all necessary forms of socials to only those organized by people you know. Don’t ever wander alone especially at night into the city. There will be ample time for all that after a successful mission.

Benjamin Alozie is the Global Director of International Operations for ICON Services Corporation and is an expert in providing security solutions in Third World Countries.  For more information click HERE. 

In this week’s installment of the two-minute video tip, host Harlan Austin of Bodyguard Careers and Elijah Shaw of the ICON Executive Protection Academy discuss the importance of doing your research when choosing an Executive Protection School.  There are some wonderful schools in the industry that include Trojan, ESI, EPI, MAX, ICON and many more.  In addition, there are some great supplemental programs such as Tony Scotti’s Vehicle Dynamics, the surveillance courses from Argus and the firearm related offerings from Panther Protection.  Do your research and determine what works for you.

Catch all the 2 Minute Tips HERE

Take a moment to check out  a visual diary of students and instructors of the ICON Executive Protection Training Academy. With courses specializing in Executive Protection, Celebrity Protection & Weapons Tactics.  ICON offers real world training by instructors who do the job every day, not just teach “theory” from a text book. For more information about the training courses, including the special finance and scholarship opportunities, click HERE.

The Star Tribune Business Section ask ICON Services Corporation CEO, Elijah Shaw about his views on Executive Protection and International Security.

Q What risks do corporate executives and the rich face?

A Domestically, they face the same challenges everyone faces but they are in a higher-income bracket and have the resources to help mitigate those risks. Just going to Times Square in New York City to watch the New Year’s Eve ball drop includes the potential of terrorism or even a stick-up robbery. We offer suggestions on how to mitigate that risk. Whether it’s a high net-worth individual or a corporate executive, they are a commodity that needs to be protected. We try to illustrate the potential risks.

Q What about their families?

A In this information age and with the rise of social media, your movements can be tracked. Executives are told not to have a Facebook page but that seldom gets passed along to the family. So you have your 16-year-old daughter telling her friends on Facebook that the family is poolside in Cabo and on its way to Disney World and that information is out there. We have to think like bad guys. The motive could be kidnapping. You don’t want to smother a client with too much information. But you want to illustrate what can happen.

Find the full article in the Business Section of the Star Tribune by clicking HERE.

~”To be a woman on the secretary of state’s security detail, you have to be fast, smart, and tough—and willing to take a bullet, even if you’re in heels”.

That is the opening of a short but interesting article on Female Protection Agents that are assigned to the Security Detail of current US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.   The article profiles several of the agents, discussing their training and a behind the scenes look at their motivations for becoming involved with Dignatary Protection.

For the full story click HERE.

See Related:  Elijah Shaw Speaks to The Today Show on Female Executive Protection Agents

See Related:  Female Bodyguards – One Agents Personal Story