Guard training route...

[pullnshoot25]

A few questions for all the guard card guys out there....

A) Was the juice worth the squeeze, both paywise and lifestyle wise?
B) How far did you go in the training process? E.g. Baton, firearm, etc?
C) What is the best way to go about the training process?

Just curious, I have a few ideas I am kicking around...

[rg_1111@yahoo.com]

I did all. Your first year will suck. Low pay until you get some experience. Then try to get on an Armed federal site for $22. To $26. an hour.

[strangerdude]

I have training for baton, oc, firearm, powers to arrest. Depends where you get a job at, but security isn't the best "career" to get into. I'm only doing it because I can switch my schedule around for school, oh and it's very difficult to find a company who actually cares about you. Pay is usually $9-$13 an hour and about $14-$17 for a supervisor position. If you need the extra cash do it, if not I recommend another job.

Oh and training is mostly watching videos and some stupid lecture by some guy that looks like Al Bundy who swears he's been wanted by many criminals during his time in security and had had bombs planted in his car. I did have to attend a firearms training program paid for by my employeer that was conducted by some Retired Long Beach swat guy, all the info was pretty much the same that I received in previous training. So to sum it all up, all the guard training is a complete wast of time and money.

[Dr Rockso]

I don't know if this fits the discussion really, but there are a lot of real young guys that do armed security at the gates at NASA Ames where I work. Seems like a pretty nice gig, maybe a bit boring but I've heard they get paid well. Of course they've been shutting down gates to save money, as I imagine most facilities are, so probably not the best time to get your foot in the door.

[Mark in Eureka]

I received my initial Guard Registration while going to school. Security was an extra job to help bring in more money. (at the time I had four other jobs)

I took the firearms and tear gas training within the first year. A little later I received PR-24 training while visiting Sacramento.

After graduation from college, I went to work for Brinks. After the first year a couple friends and I started our own Company, I worked about 80 a week between my company and Brinks for ten years.

Twenty years later, I am the sole owner of my company, and I make a fair living.

The training I have received is the BSIS required training, PC832, training provided by Brinks, and the SO (Search and Rescue) and what I have read and have seen over the years. Learn everything you can. The training manuals have valuable information. It is what you make of it

[chrisdesoup]

I don't know if this fits the discussion really, but there are a lot of real young guys that do armed security at the gates at NASA Ames where I work. Seems like a pretty nice gig, maybe a bit boring but I've heard they get paid well. Of course they've been shutting down gates to save money, as I imagine most facilities are, so probably not the best time to get your foot in the door.

Like those little guys at Onizuka... they make me laugh! The american guards are normally cool but the 4ft tall imports with a complex, man.. they just think they are a somebody. First time there I was expecting MP's and I get a wee man with an accent who's first words "were why you here".... HA,HA,HA I should ask you the same question little man, just open the gate.

[s&w5906]

There area many diffrent companies to look at out there regarding Security Positions, however most of it falls on your hands. There area a lot of companies that area very low key, i.e. only observe and report compared to otheres that area very Hands On..
.
Like it has been stated it is an ok gig if you go to school and to earn extra money. I have completed my P.C. 832 and had gone through the Sheriff Academy as well as Baton, Pepper Spray, Firearm, and Tazer.
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You can attempt to try a Federal Site, however it is very tough to get into, it is mostly Who do you know? kind of thing.

[Shawn L]

I got my guard card in '04 before all the mandatory hours you need to do now. I have Baton, Pepper Spray, K9, and Taser. I lucked out where I got hired on, I get great pay and payed medical benefits.

[bigmike82]

My security jobs definately qualified as **** jobs.

Working the graveyard shift alone in an unlit construction site with crappy bosses sucks major, major balls.

[stag6.8]

I have all had all my certifications almost twenty years.....It depends basically who you know and where you live also .....I mainly do my work as second income....Plus working armed security at the nudie bars on saturday nights is kinda cool

[bobfried]

Did it in college and it was a sweet gig. I still maintain my basic guard cards to this day though I will probably never use it again.

I specialized in graveyard at golf courses. It's almost comical how many people quit the first night they're out in the middle of nowhere patrolling a HUGE empty golf course. I remember the owner would beg me to stay until they could find a replacement when I left for the summer. I ended up training 6 people on my post that all quit the next day.

It certainly is interesting and a very well paying job for an 18 year old. I don't ever mention it when I apply for jobs now.

If you want a resume builder join the Border Patrol or Customs. Almost anyone will qualify for the GS-5 kick in the door. After a few years your swinging GS-11 pay and everything in the FLEO or local police is wide open to you.

[pullnshoot25]

I have training for baton, oc, firearm, powers to arrest. Depends where you get a job at, but security isn't the best "career" to get into. I'm only doing it because I can switch my schedule around for school, oh and it's very difficult to find a company who actually cares about you. Pay is usually $9-$13 an hour and about $14-$17 for a supervisor position. If you need the extra cash do it, if not I recommend another job.

Oh and training is mostly watching videos and some stupid lecture by some guy that looks like Al Bundy who swears he's been wanted by many criminals during his time in security and had had bombs planted in his car. I did have to attend a firearms training program paid for by my employeer that was conducted by some Retired Long Beach swat guy, all the info was pretty much the same that I received in previous training. So to sum it all up, all the guard training is a complete wast of time and money.

See, I want it for school as well, no career for me.

[Greg-Dawg]

Then you might as well find a job on campus.

[Old Timer]

It will cost you about $500 to get all of your BSIS certifications: Guard Card, Gun Card, Baton Card, OC/Pepper Spray, etc. If you go through one of the Junior Colleges such as Grossmont Security Academy, it will cost you about $60 in tuition but will take the entire semester, then about a 90 waiting period for your gun card to be issued. (Your guard card will issue in about 30 days. You can work unarmed as soon as your guard card appears on the BSIS data base but you cannot work armed until your gun card is in your pocket.)

Starting pay for an entry level unarmed Security Officer is around $9/hour. Starvation wages. For an armed Officer starting is around $14/hour. With promotions etc., you can move up to around $20/hour. But the real money is with "in house" security forces. They offer much more money and a very good benefits package.

If you are interested in getting started let me know and I will direct you to one of the finest private security academies in the area, run by a friend of mine who is a retired Chula Vista PD officer. I serve as his range coach and safety officer in my spare time.

[pullnshoot25]

It will cost you about $500 to get all of your BSIS certifications: Guard Card, Gun Card, Baton Card, OC/Pepper Spray, etc. If you go through one of the Junior Colleges such as Grossmont Security Academy, it will cost you about $60 in tuition but will take the entire semester, then about a 90 waiting period for your gun card to be issued. (Your guard card will issue in about 30 days. You can work unarmed as soon as your guard card appears on the BSIS data base but you cannot work armed until your gun card is in your pocket.)

Starting pay for an entry level unarmed Security Officer is around $9/hour. Starvation wages. For an armed Officer starting is around $14/hour. With promotions etc., you can move up to around $20/hour. But the real money is with "in house" security forces. They offer much more money and a very good benefits package.

If you are interested in getting started let me know and I will direct you to one of the finest private security academies in the area, run by a friend of mine who is a retired Chula Vista PD officer. I serve as his range coach and safety officer in my spare time.

Just might take you up on that.

Got one question about the Firearm card- What calibers can I use? I have a .44mag/spl and a 9x18 Mak but I have a feeling they are not allowed for use...