Does anyone know if ESI is worth the $?
Thanks.

Every fucking penny.

I would have to disagree. I think there is a lot in their course directed at things such as etiquette and other erroneous bullshit. If you want to be the body guard for Bill Gates or a Royal Family I can see that. If you have ever been trained in how to Advance and walk a box then you may want to consider other options.

Now having said that if you are new in the industry and looking to get into EP it is one of the best schools to go to and it looks good on a resume. Additionally if you are a newbie it will expand your marketable skillset. They have a tremendous network which can help you find employment but EP is networking and building a client base. Don't think you will go there and compete with the Gavin De Bekers in the world. At best with just ESI you will be able to man a monitor with firms like that.. Rambling off time for bed.

OS can correct me on this but I think in order to work EP I thought they passed a law a few years ago requiring a certified course to get your license?

OpsBoss, gonna have to go out on a limb and say your totally freaking clueless on this post.

ESI is one of the oldest and best schools around teaching Executive Protection. They were teaching this business long before Blackwater, or any of these other companies, was even a wetdream.

ESI teaches true executive protection skills...not m4 toting, let me see how many magazines i can stuff on my chest with cool gear rambo ear pieces and run up and down the road shooting every vehicle that gets close psd . As far as etiquette and that other erroneous bullshit, if you don't know it, don't understand it, and dont know how to use it...you WILL NOT gain effective employment as an executive protection specialist anywhere outside of third world high threat gigs. If thats your calling, and thats what you plan on doing for the rest of your career, then by all means, don't waste your time or money on ESI......but if you plan on working in the states, with a professional firm...such as DeBecker or World Protection Group, then ESI is an excellent school......and as far as competing with the Debecker's of the world? DeBecker actively employees graduates from ESI, and have former graduates in management roles within their firm. I can go on and on debunking everything you just posted, but its not worth the time....basically, if you don't know what your talking about...don't speak.

ESI is an excellent school. It is expensive, but you will obtain a strong foundation of critical ep skill-sets. You will network with instructors and leaders that play key roles in many firms and associations within the EP industry. And, you will prove to your potential employers that you are dedicated enough to this career path that you spent your on dime and time to educate yourself.

And yes, I am a graduate of ESI, 1993. I also was active in the executive protection industry for numerous years prior to even beginning the overseas contracting work. I have worked both sides, and can assure you the skill-sets you utilize in Iraq and Astan don't mean for what you can use in the boardroom at Trump Tower.

As far as certifications....licensing requirements are left up to the individual states. Some states don't have any requirements. Some states require armed guard licenses. And in most cases, you wont even carry a firearm, so there would be no licensing requirements.

Brian

Actually if you look at the reviews I was attending ESI until I figured out it was not for me. Had no gumption of learning all the erroneous bullshit that came with the course. Sitting around in suits carrying luggage and getting coffee for Clients, Let me guess you guys don't do that.

Obviously you did not read my entire post or you wouldn't be so defensive about it. Now having said that I agree again only to an extent. Just because you pay the thousands of dollars to go to one of the oldest schools for EP does not make you an EP. I have worked with ESI Grads and to be honest I would rather work with the, as you call them M4 Toters.

In regards to competing with Debecker I meant as an independent not working for him I think something was lost in translation. The only way to have somewhat steady employment is to work for one of the larger firms, even if you go to ESI and strike out on your own, you will be working Katrina, strike protection type gigs and if that's your thing go for it.

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I can go on and on debunking everything you just posted, but its not worth the time....basically, if you don't know what your talking about...don't speak.

Really, because I have a different view of the world YOU live in does not mean I am wrong.

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and can assure you the skill-sets you utilize in Iraq and Astan don't mean for what you can use in the boardroom at Trump Tower.

And vice versa what you learn at ESI aint worth a poop in the sand box, unless you apply your Chi serving skills. I have been to several high threat courses. I see that ESI tried their hand at High Threat for the sand box how is that going. Just a side question if you go there does that make you a Samurai I figured with all the life force tai chi Chinese writing grasshopper bullshit?

In management with Debecker, sure I can see that if the guy has an extensive background but I can't see someone going from truck driving to EP and into management with an EP firm, so I call Bullshit on that. The guys I know even from the military that went to ESI end up watching monitors at someones estate. Thats great the Debecker has ESI types in management, I guess its great for networking but does not apply to my posting.

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And in most cases, you wont even carry a firearm, so there would be no licensing requirements.

That's because after paying thousands of dollars for training you end up watching a monitor. It kind of makes you wonder why you see so many ESI grads in the sandbox if EP is so great at home...

I will agree to disagree, that we have our own views, but as I said in my previous posts ESI is one of the few EP schools in the country and the oldest so I guess by default makes it one of the best.

Awesome! Thanks everyone.

The training is good but in my opinion the money is not worth it unless you have it to throw away . Unless you get lucky and land a contract immediately it is going to take awhile to pay for itself .

OPsBoss wrote:

I would have to disagree. I think there is a lot in their course directed at things such as etiquette and other erroneous bullshit. If you want to be the body guard for Bill Gates or a Royal Family I can see that. If you have ever been trained in how to Advance and walk a box then you may want to consider other options. Now having said that if you are new in the industry and looking to get into EP it is one of the best schools to go to and it looks good on a resume. Additionally if you are a newbie it will expand your marketable skillset. They have a tremendous network which can help you find employment but EP is networking and building a client base. Don't think you will go there and compete with the Gavin De Bekers in the world. At best with just ESI you will be able to man a monitor with firms like that.. Rambling off time for bed. OS can correct me on this but I think in order to work EP I thought they passed a law a few years ago requiring a certified course to get your license?

If you are doing EP in the states then each state has their own requirements. EP work is very diverse. You can work for Gavin de Becker and watch screens, or work for other companies and do mostly advance work which were the meat and potatoes of EP work is done. If you start pulling the trigger then something has gone wrong. It's about planning planning and planning, communications skills, professionalism and be smart.

I've done PSD work in Iraq and it's very different. We have energy sector clients that go to Karachi all the time. I'm not allowed to have a firearm so I deal with the Paki security team - herding those cats.

I've never taken the ESI course but here good things. The main thing is to start small and work as much as you can, then slowly build your experience.