For someone that has a good working knowledge of firearms, what would be recommended for such a career?

I've heard that unless your prior military it's very difficult to get into. Also, I don't think this is something that someone would want to go to a school for, then go out and just start their on business. So, if someone did go to a school, how hard is it to get hired by a company?

Got a friend that's has expressed an interest in it and wants to make a career change at 32 yr/o age.

Most of these guys were at LEAST Ranger-schooled infantry soldiers, if not Spec-Ops.  It would be very difficult without military training, but you might be okay with extensive civilian training, including one-on-one with top instructors.  That's gonna cost ya, though.

-Troy

The only one's I've ever heard of have all been from elite military units.  There are so many former SAS, 2. REP Foreign Legion, Rangers, etc floating around the world, that I think getting any kind of a serious job without elite military experience would be tough.

On the other hand, there is such an increased need for corporate security (especially in places like south america) that it may be possible to get jobs with smaller operations.

I knew one guy personally who was not from an elite unit, but since he was a bodyguard for Prime Minister Rabin (who of course was assasinated), that may not be really good advertising for the non-elite military bodyguard.  Although in all fairness, he wasn't on duty that day.

Even though I know nothing about it, I told him it'd probably be about as exciting as being a private investigator, know a few of them and they all say it's boring.

I found the ESI website. I think after I give him the $ amount, plus all the other requirements he'll drop the idea.

I was an EP specialist for one of the nation's largest banking corporations, and lucked into the job.  My military experience was minimal, and I was doing armed security for 5 years before one night being called out to the Chairman's residence due to a threat from a psychiatric patient.  None of the EP guys were available on such short notice, and I went out with my patrol car and spent the night in his driveway.  The police picked up the psycho, but the Chairman remembered who I was when his driver retired.

I would recommend that if you have any experience at all to go the corporate route, because most corporations are in-house, and don't like to pay the going rate for the hi-speed, low-drag types.  Unfortunately, with Merger Mania, a lot of the corporations are eating each other, and putting us out of work.

I am now making more as an office administrator, but I don't get the company car, neat comms and weapons, or get to take a nap during my down-time.

I recommend BSR, Inc.'s Executive Security Driving Course very highly.  I met my friend at NSA through that course, and he's still in the business.  You won't get any shooting in, unless you are a Fed, but you receive the same driving instruction as the Feds.

This includes ramming, PIT, defensive and offensive line, and going 120 in the dark...

It was the best thing since sliced bread and canned beer, as far as I'm concerned.

Good luck, and...

Semper Fi!

Ken Little