Herman Cain on Thursday became the first Republican presidential candidate to receive Secret Service protection.  Cain asked for the security and Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano and congressional leaders approved his request Thursday, Secret Service spokesman Ed Donovan confirmed.

As stated above Mr. Cain had to formally request and be approved for services this early in the campaign.   Campaign sources are stating the request came as the result of  ”threats” made against the candidate.   Spokesmen for the USSS would neither confirm or deny these statements.

While it stands to reason that having the current Republican front runner be an African American might certainly inflame hostile fringe elements,  prior to the request being approved Mr. Cain had been suffering from a series of bad press regarding his bodyguards see HERE and HERE.   This has caused  some to wonder if eliminating this negative attention and the potential errors a less-than-effective protection detail could provide played any part in the early request.

From a security perspective Herman Cain now has what many (including myself) would call the best protection team in the world watching his back and can now get back to campaigning.

~”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

As 2010 winds down I’d like to thank all of the readers and contributors of Bodyguard Blog for their support.  I’ll admit it was a challenge to run my agency, ICON Services Corporation, be an active Operator, and keep the Blog going on a consistent basis.  One of the things that helped, was constantly pulling in fresh content as well as realizing that I didn’t want Bodyguard Blog to be just about ME.

Some of our most popular post in 2010 were the Industry Spotlights, in which we cover professionals in the world of Executive Protection featuring:  The UK’s Shaun West, Old Soldier: Dave Marris, Sexton’s Jerry MacCauley, Mark James & Benjamin Alozie. (Look for more Female Close Protection Agents in 2011!)

In keeping with our philosophy that the Bodyguard Industry is more than just guns and take downs, we enlisted the aid of Protocol & Etiquette Coach Susanne Dancer to provide some lessons in the “soft skills” that would help us more effectively do our job.  You can find her tips on Protocol & Etiquette HERE.

And lastly, we all know that the job of VIP Protection is serious, but the people that do it, are just that –people, and can even crack a smile once in awhile — we introduced the very well received “Caption This” feature.  if you want to take a break from a stressful day and chuckle at humorous photos (and comments) click HERE.

Once again, thanks for  reading.   Big plans for 2011, so stay tuned!

~ Elijah Shaw

A paperback book was hurled towards President Obama seconds after he completed a Democratic rally in Philadelphia on Sunday, but aides say the incident in no way affected the event.

In video of the President, the book appears as little more than a blurr hurdling past his head to his left as he waved to the crowd on his right.  It is not clear how close the book came to him but it is apparent the President does not notice it at all. The paperback seems to be coming from the direction of the audience penned in closest to the stage, not from the thousands of other spectators behind barricades farther back…

The US Secret Service found and interviewed the man who threw the book onstage.  He was deemed to be an “overexhuberant” supporter who wanted the President to have a copy of a book he had written, according the Special Agent Edwin Donovan of the Secret Service in Washington.  “He was deemed not to be a threat and was not arrested,”

For full story, click HERE.

Definitely  not as much of a security risk as another individual who decided to throw something at the US Commander in Chief.   Also looks like an Agent had an eye on the object but didn’t overreact.

the good folks over at STRATFOR posted an excellent analysis of Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s security detail as he navigated the crush of the crowds during a recent public appearance.  It was during that appearance, depending on who you ask, an explosive was detonated or a firecracker thrown.  Regardless, viewing the video shows you the challenges the Iranian presidential guard faces and the marked difference between this motorcade and that of say a US President.

To watch the analysis, as a part of their Above the Tear Line series, click HERE.

See Related:  Assassination Attempt on Iran’s President

Minneapolis, MN September 8-12th 2010 – Icon Services Corporation present a five-day course of practical theory and hands-on training in the world of Celebrity & VIP Protection. If you are new to the bodyguard industry or a current operator looking to refresh and polish your skills, this course will offer excellent instruction into the professional side of Close Protection work. Taught by industry veteran Elijah Shaw, who in addition to his corporate clients, has traveled the world as the personal bodyguard of international public figures such as musical giant Usher, supermodel Naomi Campbell, and rap megastar 50 Cent, the course will offer real world problems, scenarios, and solutions from instructors that are currently active in the industry.

“Your training is an invaluable tool to your industry. I was very impressed how realistic the training was that you provide. Having been taught by the best, I can honestly state that I learned quite a bit in your class. There is always room for improving ones skill set, and your training definitely added to mine”.

Special Agent Robert E. Jones / US Secret Service

For more information click HERE

Reports are coming in that French President Nicolas Sarkozy has issued an off-the-record ban on bodyguards over a certain height, because they make him look small???  According to the source (which may just be someone with an axe to grind), President Sarkozy is famously sensitive and secretive about his height of around 5′ 5″.  Full story, click HERE.

Note to the President’s advisors:  Advise him on this one.  Security definitely does not HAVE to be taller than the client they are protecting, but for Presidential Security the term “coverage” actually takes on a literal meaning.

See video after jump.

Icon Services Corporation presents our highly regarded five-day course of practical theory and hands-on training in the world of Celebrity & VIP Protection. If you are new to the bodyguard industry or a current operator looking to refresh and polish your skills, this course will offer excellent instruction into the professional side of Close Protection work. Taught by industry veteran Elijah Shaw, who in addition to his corporate clients, has traveled the world as the personal bodyguard of international public figures such as musical giant Usher, supermodel Naomi Campbell, and rap megastar 50 Cent, the course will offer real world problems, scenarios, and solutions from instructors that are currently active in the industry.

“Your training is an invaluable tool to your industry. I was very impressed how close to realistic training you all provide. Having been taught by the best, I can honestly state that I learned quite a bit in your class. There is always room for improving ones skill set, and your training definitely added to mine.”

Special Agent Robert E. Jones / US Secret Service

to learn more visit www.Industry-Icon.com/CPC

The day before the Presidential Inauguration I had the opportunity to sit inside “The Beast” Impressive to say the least.   I remember thinking that like most things in this world, it’s not what you see on the outside that matters, but what’s hidden under the hood.

For more of the history of the vehicle protecting the sitting US President click HERE.