Here is how to go from grunt to security contractor
SUMMARY
There are many military specialties that translate into thriving careers in the civilian sector. These are usually POG jobs—personnel other than grunts in military speak—like engineering, communications, and any other skills outside of the trigger pulling.
While there's a future in police work after the military, there is also an opportunity in private security contracting (PSC), usually a more lucrative one. The latest example of PSCs in action are the real heroes from Benghazi, who's story is based on in "13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi" These military veterans turned private contractors were hired to protect CIA agents. Here's how you too can join their ranks:
1. First, don't let anyone tell you that being in the infantry doesn't translate to a career in the civilian world.
2. If you like kicking down doors and blowing stuff up, private security contractors are looking for you!
These firms are also knowns as private military contractors (PMCs).
3. Some firms do not require that you have prior military service ...
4. ... but it definitely helps.
5. ACADEMI, one of the leading private military contractors, claims that more than eighty percent of all its employees are former military or law enforcement.
ACADEMI, formerly known as "Blackwater," was founded by former Navy SEAL Erik Prince in 1997. Prince is famous for explaining his firm's purpose by stating: "We are trying to do for the national security apparatus what FedEx did for the Postal Service".
6. The most lucrative contractor jobs typically go to those with former special operations backgrounds such as Special Forces and Navy SEAL troops.
7. Like in the military, these are tier 1 operators.
Jack Silva was a former Navy SEAL turned Global Response Service (GRS) operator in 13 Hours.
8. But good news, there's a growing need for operators with infantry and combat arms experience.
9. Training companies also exist for those who want to be contractors but didn't serve in the military.
C.R.I. is a VA-approved school that offers training in how to be a badass.
10. C.R.I. has courses in anti-terrorism ...
11. Counter kidnapping ...
12. Tactical driving ...
13. ... and being a bodyguard.
14. But many contractors are tasked with defending compounds or military installations.
. . . like the CIA outpost in Benghazi.
15. The job sometimes requires deployments that last for months in dangerous areas around the world ...
16. ... but there's also need for contractors to guard federal installations in the U.S. like nuclear storage sites and important infrastructure.
And much, much more.
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