I wanted to do a post about this subject because of all of the emails I have been getting lately. In the past, I have hinted at this kind of stuff before, but I think now it deserves it’s own post. The top question I get is ‘how do you become a security contractor without any military or police background?’. My top reply is for individuals to join the military or police, and get that background–with an emphasis on the combat arms and duty in the war. That by far is the best route to go, and you will come up against the least amount of friction in this industry as you pursue your career in security contracting.
With that said, there is a way to become a gun carrying security contractor without that four year degree in the combat arms. The loophole I am talking about is to become a paramedic. In my career, I have personally met three security contractors without any military or police background, that got their job as a gun carrying contractor because of their medical qualifications. From PSD work to disaster response to site security work–these non-military/police contractors worked those gigs as gun carrying medical guys. Although not purely shooters, they are armed non-the-less, with an emphasis on their medical qualifications. That is what they were hired for, and they are right along side the guys who were contracted as shooters–much like how a combat medic is used in a military unit.
All three medical contractors I had met, were armed by their company so that they could defend self and/or client. Out of the three I had met, two of them had invested in security/weapons training to supplement their medical certifications so they could be less of a liability in the field. Most of them had to go through the same overseas type deployment spin up course, or similar company vetting to ensure they could operate well with whatever team they were assigned to. But to put it bluntly, paramedics/nurses/doctors are all highly valuable assets to companies, and companies will bend over backwards to get these guys out there on contract, and especially when medical assets are required for a specific contract. A company must look beyond a lack of military or police background with a job seeker to fulfill a contract requirement, just because there isn’t enough qualified medical folks out there willing to do this kind of work.
Which is the one caveat that I tell folks when they pursue this loophole of contracting. I suggest to folks to not only get their paramedic certification, but to also invest in excellent security/weapons training that will at least introduce to them the basics of how to operate out there. I really emphasize the weapons schools because most of the companies will have their medical contractors do a shooting test with the weapon they will be issued in the field as a requirement of the contract. At the least, a contractor should be proficient with a pistol and rifle, and any investment in weapons training will pay off in the long run when you pass that shooting test and get that six figure job overseas.
To take this a step further. If by chance you are able to sign on to the WPS program, you will have to shoot and qualify with some of the belt fed weapons that this program uses. I have even heard of medical officers being used in training to teach the usage of weapons like the AK 47 or PKM on the TWISS program. The point here is that once you get involved as a security/medical contractor, you should expect to be around weapons and know how to use them if you want to be useful and a non-liability to the team. So get some good reputable weapons training, and learn the fundamentals. I suggest CSAT as a an excellent starting point if you are looking for ideas.
Of course you must also maintain your fitness level because companies will require a PT test as per the contract. Keep up to date mentally by following the latest news in this industry through the forums and blogs. You must also ensure your background checks clean for any kind of clearance issues, because in this war, the US government is using the ‘security clearance’ as a means of vetting. So keep your finances in check, keep your nose clean and do not lie on your SF 86 form.
The most important thing though is to maintain your paramedic certification and stay up to date on all the medical protocols. If you are a former 18 Delta or military medic, I still suggest getting the paramedic certification because it will help you to bridge your military experience to the civilian world.
I would even suggest some exposure to military themed medicine (TCCC) for those without a military/police background, through some of the private schools that offer such things. Deployment Medicine International is one such company that I can recommend, and with a search, you can find others. Also, you can learn more about training by talking with other medical contractors via the forums. That is what’s called networking and getting ‘locked on’, which will help you big time in your security contracting career.
Now I am sure there are other ways of becoming a security contractor besides the medical route, and hopefully some folks will put their ideas down in the comments section. But personally, the medical angle is probably one of the best ways that I have seen to accomplish this task. It is also one of those certifications that will be quite useful when you are done doing the overseas contracting game and are wanting to settle back home. You could spend all that money you earned on going to Nursing school or similar, and advance your career in the medical world. The experience you gained as a medical professional in the war zones will also be highly respected back home in the hospitals and ambulances.
The other thing that I wanted to touch upon is that if you are a security contractor with a military or police background, and are wanting to increase your marketability in this industry, then getting a paramedic or EMT certification would be an outstanding move. Even with executive protection gigs, out of two guys with equal shooter backgrounds applying for the same job, the guy that can save the client medically will be of higher value than the guy that does not have any medical experience or certifications. If you want an edge in this highly competitive world of security contracting overseas or at home, get that paramedic certification. To me this is all about being the ‘Useful Contractor‘ and diversifying your capabilities.(Miyamoto Musashi would approve) This one investment could save your buddy or client’s life, it could get you that high dollar contract you have been dreaming about, and it could keep you marketable in a highly competitive industry both CONUS or OCONUS for years to come. Something to think about if you are coming up against a wall in your career path, or wanting to get a foot into the door of this highly competitive industry. –Matt
Another easy way is shipping/logistics, executive security. You should have several “tactical” classes under your belt to help persuade the employer (I.E. Viking tactics, Thunder ranch, XE or whatever blackwater calls themselves now…ect) and one of the most looked over fields is having a gun smithing or armors
Comment by Anonymous — Saturday, January 14, 2012 @ 8:30 PM
Can you still become a paramedic and get hired if you have a bad criminal record? Arson in particular. If the offence was 7 years ago and was spent
Comment by Dave — Saturday, February 4, 2012 @ 5:17 PM
I don't think you can. Most of today's contracts for the US overseas requires a secret clearance. So having a record would hurt you. But you never know and all you have to do is ask the recruiter if it will be an issue.
Comment by Feral Jundi — Tuesday, February 7, 2012 @ 11:10 AM
IMO almost everyone should try to get an EMT-B. It’s good knowledge. Plus, I’ve seen contracts where companies will take applicants with their EMT-B and train them for EMT-I for free before deployment.
Comment by vpi — Monday, April 16, 2012 @ 8:59 PM
Feral, having the secret security clearance prior to applying will help tremendously. its an extremely long process. Time is money and if you have that clearance already, you’ll be much better off then the next guy as well. Though this also requires some sort of military / govt background. Then again, this would help civies as much as armed forces applying.
Comment by cwwhitey — Tuesday, September 11, 2012 @ 1:08 AM
Feral, having the secret security clearance prior to applying will help tremendously. its an extremely long process. Time is money and if you have that clearance already, you’ll be much better off then the next guy as well. Though this also requires some sort of military / govt background. Then again, this wouldn’t help civies as much as armed forces applying
Comment by cwwhitey — Tuesday, September 11, 2012 @ 1:08 AM
@cwwhitey Absolutely.
Comment by feraljundi — Tuesday, September 11, 2012 @ 10:48 AM
IMO almost everyone should try to get an EMT-B. It’s good knowledge. Plus, I’ve seen contracts where companies will take applicants with their EMT-B and train them for EMT-I for free before deployment.
Comment by feraljundi — Tuesday, September 11, 2012 @ 10:48 AM
I have a CPR certication and I have a certification in Surgical Technology(Scrub Tech). I’ve also been trained as a 1st assistant which is basically an underpaid physician’s assistant. Would I be considered a valuable asset to a company or would I need more medical training? Also if I once had a criminal record but got my record expunged and my record sealed would this pose as a problem even though my record is wiped ” clean” ? This is my dream job and I REALLY WOULD DO ANYTHING to land this type of gig!!!
Comment by DMLA2013 — Tuesday, February 26, 2013 @ 1:36 AM
@DMLA2013 At the minimum, if you want to be marketable, you will need a paramedic certification. And if you are going after a shooter/medical contract, you will need a security/police/military background. But for the gigs that are only looking for medical staff, a paramedic certification will get you started. That is my observation.For the shooter related medic jobs, you are up against some serious competition these days. Jobs are tight, and the war is winding down. So to be a marketable shooter medic, you would need a paramedic cert along with some kind of a combat arms/tactical background. Time as a standard medical contractor in a war zone will help, if you want to apply for shooter medic type jobs though. Ultimately, if you want to pursue a shooter medic job, talk with a recruiter of one of the companies doing WPS. Ask them what is currently required of medics in WPS. Or you could contact the recruiters of other programs that need shooter medics. Get the most current info so you do not waste your time in your job hunt. Good luck.
Comment by feraljundi — Wednesday, February 27, 2013 @ 6:51 PM
hi I was wondering how one would get better skills on different weapon system needed if they have no military background.
Comment by hajii — Monday, March 11, 2013 @ 10:35 AM
I have some security training (CLEET Armed license) and have body guarded locally for a number of people. My question is how does one get into High Risk Security and what other training should I get to fulfill my goals?
Comment by LJHines — Sunday, November 10, 2013 @ 6:52 PM
I want to get into this industry i have 3-year background cross training in martial arts (Tang Soo Do , Ju-Jitsu ). And i have a CPR/AED for the professional rescuer certification and i have Basic Security Officer Training (Class D License). I am skilled in Close Quarter Combat (Defensive And Restraints) , Unarmed Combat , Knife Combative , Stick Combative , Evasive Tactics. My CPR/AED for the professional rescuer training is for first responders. I have no military/Law Inforcement background what other skills will help me in this industry get a job with out a military/Law Inforcement background.
Comment by Jason Seifert — Monday, December 9, 2013 @ 8:11 AM
Hey folks, the post up top answers a lot of your questions in regards to becoming marketable for this industry. If you have no military or law enforcement background, you will have a hard time competing. With that said, there are other types of overseas contracting to get into that does not involve a gun.
If you do want to pursue the security contractor route, you will be competing against thousands of combat experienced veterans, all gunning for the same jobs. The companies prefer hiring combat experienced folks, if the job requires protecting people in a war zone.
The exception to this rule is typically the medical angle. You must get a paramedic certification or higher to be marketable. In order to gain experience, try seeking entry level security work overseas in non-warzone places. There are contracts in Qatar, Kuwait, Kosovo, etc., or numerous security gigs in the US or at your home country, where you can gain security experience. Then use that experience as a stepping stone to the next level of contracts to get into the war zone work. Keep trying, keep networking, and if you want it bad enough, you just might get a shot.
But really, if you don’t have a military or police background, but want to deploy overseas, then get some certifications in basic trades in order to apply for that work. Ammo Technicians, plumbers, HVAC, electricians, construction, etc. are all skills that companies look for. Go to Danger Zone Jobs to research this more and good luck with your job search.
Comment by Matt — Monday, December 9, 2013 @ 9:37 PM
[…] for content. My all time best post for the life of the blog has been the classic ‘how to get into security contracting without a police or military background’. 41,259 people have checked that one out and that says a lot about the focus of my readership. […]
Pingback by Year In Review: 2014 Google Analytics Report For Feral Jundi « Feral Jundi — Saturday, April 25, 2015 @ 2:31 AM
I’m from a civilian background but tried gunning for military. I was informed that I was a code 33/disqualified because of multiple regulations against being diagnosed ADD when I was 8. Anyway, I feel a real need to get involved with this war and do my part. I have a natural talent with rifles and nowhere to apply it. I’m not looking to go have a shootout, but I’d be able to return fire if a threat were to present itself. I just have a great talent and it’s going to waste. are there any companies that will hire without experience and train an employee?
Comment by Steve — Tuesday, June 23, 2015 @ 9:12 PM
[…] onto content. For 2015, my top post was Job Tips: How To Get Into Security Contracting Without a Military Or Police Background but for posts that were written in 2015, my Industry Talk: GardaWorld Buys Aegis Group For […]
Pingback by Year In Review: 2015 Google Analytics Report For Feral Jundi « Feral Jundi — Tuesday, March 15, 2016 @ 1:09 PM
Could always try the foreign legion, it’s just a Google search away
Comment by Bud Loper — Monday, March 28, 2016 @ 6:29 PM
Where can I go to contact a recruiter?
Comment by Devin — Wednesday, April 20, 2016 @ 12:01 AM
Hey Devin, if you sign up with a job board like Secure Aspects, you will see all sorts of job ads from the companies. Or you can visit the career pages of companies and apply for jobs there. Finally, if you want to talk to a recruiter, then call one of the companies that you are interested in and talk with them about what you are interested in. You will find phone numbers in the Contact section. Also, on linkedin you can find recruiters of the various companies.
Comment by Matt — Thursday, April 21, 2016 @ 12:53 PM
Hello, I just got a nursing degree and have passed the NCLEX but no experience would I be able to get a contracting job or do I need experience? Thank you.
Comment by Krista — Thursday, May 12, 2016 @ 6:14 PM
Hi Krista. As to your question, you need to check out the available contracts for medical personnel first and see what you want to do or are willing to do. In those job ads you will see what they need as far as certifications and experience.
Another angle is just contact the recruiter of said contract and talk to them about what is required and if you are a good fit. If you lack experience as a nurse, but might have experience in other medical positions, then that is all relevant. There are EMT and paramedic related jobs out there to look at. Either way, you just need to talk to the recruiters and figure out a good fit.
I also recommend stepping stone gigs, or contracts that are low paying so you can just get your foot in the door of that industry. You need to get that experience.
Forums are a good source, Facebook and all the various groups and pages that are relevant, job boards (pay wall and non-pay wall), LinkedIn, and associations are all sources.
Finally, I recommend folks become a student of their industry and how to get jobs in their industry. That is something the colleges or trade schools kind of lack. They teach you how to be a nurse, but don’t necessarily teach you how to get a job as a medical contractor or how to navigate the industry. For that, you just have to take the initiative and become an expert on how to get a job in your industry.
Comment by Matt — Friday, May 13, 2016 @ 11:10 AM
Hi , I came across the post and am wondering how to get my foot in the door of this industry. I ahve no military background but in a few months will be attending ESA out of Poland to get training in close exectuiticve protection, pmc, maritime security operative, cqb, and hostile environment protection. As well as tactical trauma casualty care as well as first on the scene training. All of whigh will come with certifications and licensing.
Comment by Corey Lang — Wednesday, June 15, 2016 @ 7:53 PM