• Home
  • Categories
    • Protection
    • Hostile Environment
    • Industry News
    • Intel
    • Career Advice
    • Surveillance
    • Cybersecurity
    • Maritime
    • Risk Management
    • Fitness
    • Medical
    • Training
    • Equipment
    • Reviews
  • Daily Briefing
  • Subscription
  • The Magazine
  • Podcast
  • Contribute
  • Advertise
  • Contact Us

Circuit Magazine

For Security & Protection Specialists

Get free circuit subscription with BBA membership
You are here: Home / Archives / Keeping Your Edge, Politics as Un-usual

Keeping Your Edge, Politics as Un-usual

Here’s a question:  How do you express something special and meaningful that has occurred during your time in the industry without it coming off as bragging?

I’ve always tried to make sure I ask and answer that question before I write about personal experiences in public settings. In light of that, I must admit I thought about this one a bit longer than most, but felt it was worthy to share because one of the purposes of The Circuit Magazine is to inform and educate while offering unique perspectives within the Close Protection community.

Recently I had one of those full-circle moments, you know the ones that go squarely in the category of “career milestone.”  Let me set the stage a bit:  After weeks of preparation, I literally spent the *entire* day at the White House working alongside the administration as they hosted a final event for the then outgoing President of the United States.  I work with a client who was going to be a special guest at the function, and because of my past experience working with political handlers and my grasp of logistics I was pretty integrated into the planning process very early on.

Beginning at 7am the day of the event, the first half of the day was spent doing what those of us in the craft know is the backbone of a successful assignment, the Advance.  For anyone who has had dealings with the United States Secret Service, you know if you are permitted “inside the bubble,” it’s their show, their rules, and nowhere is that more apparent than at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. While there, you try and understand and follow the instructions, making sure you account for and eliminate anything that would cause you or your client to deviate from the plan.  For example, if the arrival time is 6:00 pm, 6:05 pm might have you denied entry.  Your Protectee forgot his government issued ID? You can have maxim clout and still not make it past the security checkpoint.  However, in all my dealings with the logistics related to bringing a client to the White House, the most important is that you realize that your VIP, no matter who he or she is, is always going to be down the ladder from “THE VIP.”

So, after five weeks of preparation, it’s “go time” and you have all your ducks in a row.  You have gone over the necessary protocols, got your client through the checkpoints and onto the grounds, and feel honored to have played a small part in the protective equation. Afterwards, it will be wheels up and head home.  End of Story.

However, there was another part to this story:

It’s a matter of public record that the outgoing POTUS held a farewell event and that the guest list was restricted and exclusive. While in the preparation phase, I was informed that absolutely no security would be allowed on the grounds with the exception of the USSS.  I was prepared for that as was the client, as I mentioned, I had done this dance before.  What I wasn’t prepared for was that in the 11th hour I was granted clearance by the powers that be. There was however one condition, I could not be working.  Once my site advance and walk through was done during the first half of the day the ONLY security in the White House that night would be the Secret Service. This invitation was a way of both sides saying “thank you” for the services I had done over the years. (I feel like I am getting close to bragging territory now, so if you know me, you know what services, and if you don’t that’s ok too). I was specifically told, “tonight you are not Elijah the security agent, you are Elijah the CEO of ICON.”

So, when the 2nd half of my day kicked in, I had to approach it with a whole new mindset.  I’m a firm believer in the art of “Protective Invisibility,” so looking and acting the past was important to blending in.  One eye on the Protectee, sparkling water in hand, I was up for the task.  Let me end with this, I have been in the industry for over 20 years and have seen a lot of things. Interacting around the glitz and glamour, pomp and circumstance, is just part of the job, you filter it out. I can also honestly say, I don’t impress easily, and well, tonight I was impressed.  With respect to OPSEC, all I’ll mention is I spent the next several hours as the definition of the fly on the wall, except the wall was the White House as the titans in politics, entertainment and business said farewell to the outgoing first family of the United States.

End of Story.

 


Keeping Your Edge, Politics as Un-usual
By: Elijah Shaw

Elijah Shaw is the National Director of the North American Bodyguard Association and an international security consultant. 

Buy The Latest Issue

Sign Up For News and Updates

We respect your privacy and will not share your information with anyone.
We will only message you when we have something relevant and of value to share with you.

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Latest Issue

Circuit magazine cover issue 55

Issue 55

Buy Now

Latest Industry News

Industry News October 2020

We cast our eye over the main stories impacting the security industry. Here’s what’s appeared on the radar since the last issue.

Security industry News Brought to you by the Circuit Magazine

Industry News

We cast our eye over the main stories impacting the security industry, including, Kanye West’s former bodyguard is calling the rapper a “bully” and is threatening to sue for damages after West accused him of breaking a confidentiality agreement.

Industry News

We cast our eye over the main stories impacting the security industry. Here’s what’s appeared on the radar since the last issue.

Security industry News Brought to you by the Circuit Magazine

Security Industry Association Announces New SIA Women in Security Scholarship Opportunity

“The SIA Women in Security Forum works to grow and retain leaders in the security industry,” said Gloria Salmeron, director of human resources at Brivo and co-chair of the scholarship committee. “With the addition of this new scholarship, we look forward to helping bring opportunities for further education and advancement to as wide a spectrum of people as possible and inviting individuals to participate in the Women in Security Forum.”

Product Review earHero

Product Review – Ear Hero

Designed by an audiologist, earHero’s speakers are so tiny they will never block your ear canal giving you the ability to literally talk on a separate phone without removing the earHero tactical earpiece from either ear.

You can literally hear whisper level sounds from yards away, while identifying the sounds’ precise location. The earHero tactical headsets have wires so thin and clear, they are virtually undetectable, and the design is so comfortable, you’ll barely know the earpiece is there.

Introduction to Cybersecurity Part 4

Insecure Smart Houses

They are only of limited relevance today, but as the technologies involved become more widespread and implemented into every facet of life they will only become more prevalent. While it sounds like the stuff of science fiction, these threats exist now and are not going to go away.

For simplicity, we’ll say that a ‘smart’ device is anything which connects to the internet (or a network) and is not intended to be a computer interface. Intended is the key word there, as many of these devices are insecure for the simple reason that they are a computer. The problem is that it is now cheaper and easier to put a general purpose computer into a device and run some software to, for example, turn lights on and off than it is to design a single-purpose lightbulb which also connects to a network.

Behavioral Analysis

Turning Habitual Habits into a Positive

Being an instructor for Tony Scotti’s Vehicle Dynamics Institute has forwarded the opportunity to observe how a large section of professionals interact and function from different niches of the industry. Military, transnational EP teams, US based teams, Federal LEO’s or with civilians this theme shows through. Even in the larger training arena the change can be seen as more of the schools are starting to focus on classes or blocks of instruction such as client management and behavioral analysis. The discussion forms are flooded with conversations relating to how to work in a team dynamic. It doesn’t matter if its a 28 day school or a three day school, they will be touching on and teaching these topics.

Global Risk

Global Situation report provided by Stratfor

Global Situation Report October, 2020

Having informed insight in today’s increasingly complex international environment is more important than ever. That’s why we’ve partnered with Stratfor, the worlds leading geopolitical intelligence platform, to bring readers regular analysis and accurate forecasting of global trends from someone you can trust.

Popular Tags

Afghanistan armed attack Bodyguard Bodyguarding Celebrity client Close Protection Close Protection Officer Elijah Shaw Executive Executive Protection fight firearm gun Intelligence Iraq Law Enforcement Medical military News online police Prevention professional protect protection PTSD Risk Risk Assessment Risk Management Safety Security Security Incidents Security Industry Authority SIA Social Media Surveillance terror Terrorism terrorist Threat train Training VIP

On The Frontline

How Much Do Security Companies Make?

A Look into the Money Behind Security Companies. As the owner of a security company I believe, as many do, that … >>>

(Image: Matty Blythe)

Matty Blythe – From Super League Rugby to Bodyguard Training Director, via Iraq.

Industry News - November 21, 2019     Former Warrington and Bradford centre, Matty Blythe, is back … >>>

Working with Entertainers: Communicating with the House

The Saga continues, day after day, night after night as you travel from one city to the next visiting Theaters, … >>>

Follow us

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Twitter

From The Archives

What are the Characteristics of a Good Bodyguard?

People often wonder: what are the characteristics of a good bodyguard? There are as many characteristics as there are … >>>

Be courteous and professional when answering questions

However, when you think about it, what I’m really talking about is communicating knowledge and that is vital in close … >>>

Global Incidents: 25-Mar-13

Global Incidents: 25-Mar-13   CRITICAL INFORMATION Burma: Communal rioting spreads. Cyprus: Deal reached in … >>>

Remaining Professional: Dealing with High Conflict Personality

In our roles as a security professional we will at times come across individuals with high conflict personalities, … >>>

  • Terms And Conditions
  • Magazines
  • Privacy Policy
  • Archives

© 2021 Circuit Magazine · Rainmaker Platform

This website or its third-party tools use cookies which are necessary to its functioning and required to improve your experience. By clicking the consent button, you agree to allow the site to use, collect and/or store cookies.
I accept