Three common question we get all the time, especially from civilian women interested in the EP field, are:

1. "Do you need to have a military background to be an EP agent?"
2. "Will Executive Protection agencies hire someone without military experience?"
3. "Do people with a law enforcement/military background get hired more in EP?"

The answers are:

1. No
2. Yes
3. It depends on the individual.

Before we begin, lets boil this all down to what security agents are and are not ultimately responsible for doing when working security details. 

They aren't responsible for carrying their client's shopping bags. 
They aren't responsible for arresting criminals. 
They aren't responsible for planning an attack on an adversary. 

All security agents, male or female, are responsible for keeping their principal(s) safe from dangerous situations that could cause physical harm. 

Without question or hesitation this is the number one reason executive protection agents are assigned to details and why EP agents exist in the first place. It is surprising how many agents join the business thinking they will be performing outrageously complex espionage tasks or getting to fight a bad guy around every corner. It's just not the case or the reality. In fact, we do not recommend joining the EP field if people think their job will be that of the protagonist in a Hollywood spy movie. The reality of executive protection is nothing like that. 

This exact misconception of what we do on details leads people to wonder if they need military or law enforcement experience to work in the field. How can anyone be ready for this job if they don't have intensive weapons training and hand-to-hand combat experience? 
This false narrative of the EP field turns away many potential candidates who could have become incredibly successful as an security agent. 

So, What Skills Do EP Agents Actually Need For the Job?

Keeping the client safe involves getting familiar with many hard skills like: 

1. Defensive driving and route planning
2. Hand-to-hand combat and self-defense techniques
3. Firearms proficiency and tactical shooting skills
4. First aid, emergency medical response, and CPR
5. Surveillance and counter-surveillance techniques
6. Risk assessment and threat analysis
7. Communication and radio etiquette
8. Crisis management and emergency response planning
9. Physical fitness and endurance training
10. Knowledge of local laws and regulations related to the detail

Soft skills required for executive protection agents:

1. Situational awareness and observation skills
2. Communication and interpersonal skills, including diplomacy, tact, and conflict resolution
3. Flexibility and adaptability
4. Time management and organizational skills
5. Attention to detail and the ability to follow instructions
6. Professionalism and discretion
7. Emotional intelligence and empathy
8. Cultural awareness and sensitivity
9. Leadership and teamwork skills
10. Problem-solving and decision-making abilities

Now, someone straight out of the military or law enforcement is going to have a leg up on a lot of these hard skills. That's why the EP industry is flooded with former military or former law enforcement officers. We can say with confidence that people who enjoy defending and protecting other people from harm typically stay in the same field their entire life. The personality traits needed to be a good police officer or to be in the military generally do not shift after their service is completed. And it's a good thing too! 

What else might give them an advantage? Former police officers might have their LEOSA. This is HUGE in the EP field. Being able to legally carry in places and cities a normal civilian cannot makes a big difference to agencies when looking at resumes. They also might have formed deep connections with law enforcement in areas they plan on working as an EP agent. Having the police on your side is always a good thing. 

Also, different levels of clearances can be granted to those employed by the federal government, meaning a lot of military soldiers, not all, will transition out into the civilian world with at least a secret clearance, if not more. (Note, not every role in the military requires a secret clearance.)

That being said, having LEOSA or a secret clearance means nothing if that person has zero other soft skills to back it up. There are downsides to every job. For instance, a lot of former military and LEO professionals can be rather "robotic" and overly regimented, others might have learned to become overly aggressive quickly, and some have no idea how to take charge without being told what to do. Despite all of this, people can learn to overcome these hurdles, but it takes time and dedication. It would be like having a chef who graduated from a classy culinary college, worked at several fine dining establishments, and then started working in a less regimented restaurant where none of the learned formalities were necessarily essential to the role. The chef knew her knowledge gained during culinary school was vital to the role, however, she had to learn how to package and present her fine dining knowledge differently so she could mesh better with clients and coworkers who never went to culinary school. 

Over the past decade, we have seen a profound shift in what clients want when it comes to personal security. Many clients want an EP agent who can protect them but who can also blend in with normal society. Of course, there are still clients who wish to have the 6'3 body builder walking beside them, but many are now looking for a more incognito version of a security guard. They are looking for people who do not stand out as a stereotypical "bodyguard" because it doesn't attract copious amounts of public attention.

This is why more and more women without any formal military/law enforcement training are being called upon to fill high profile assignments given to them by top-notch agencies. Obviously, these women agents have credible hard-skills training like going to a few intensive EP schools, getting their state's armed/unarmed security licenses, and attending training courses, but the key difference is they have spent many years working in other fields where they have mastered skills only taught in those particular roles. Some jobs include executive assistant roles, waitressing, sales, retail, parenting, travel planning, private investigation, marketing, and more. Having skills from other industries helps agents be well-rounded and deeply understanding of different aspects that are involved in the EP field that can make the agents stand out from the rest. 

FEPG is an all female team, so we believe mothers make some of the best EP agents because they have spent years or decades making sure their child (the principal) is safe, fed, and protected. There is nothing quite like the care received from a mother and the mom lifestyle seems to pass down flawlessly into the EP world. 

Remember, how an agent showcases all of these hard/soft skills and how she presents herself are what sets her apart from others in the field. An agent has a greater chance of being hired if she has completed a credible EP training school, shows a history of EP details or assignments where she has kept her principal safe, shows an active desire to learn and be a part of the executive protection community, and is a likable human being.