How much is the fish

L

Legioner

Moderator
HI Guys

A few days ago i was approached by a guy asking me (don't know why me)
how much it would be to open a own PMC or PSC in the US or UK,and what kind of autorisations are needed.
After thinking two days about (had no idea of course)it becomes more and more interresting to me as well.
So anybody have an idea how much it will cost to open and get started a PMC or PSC.

Thanks in advance
 
some ideas

I can say that it is easy to open PSC in USA.
It isn't harder to open PSC in USA then any other business,but of course it depends on the state,as each state has it own regulations and license requirements.. As far as i know it is very hard to open sec. company in California as the regulations go over the roof.. :)
It seems government tries to protect people against security company's there :D
But there are some states that do not require any licensing at all...
As i know some states require you to have 3-5 years of supervisory or management position experience to obtain your Private Security Patrol license.
I would suggest avoid those states that have no regulation or licensing cause any 'Momma & poppa Security' may pop in and under bid you.. Go where there are strictest regulations and requirements. And have sufficient money to run for approximately 12months without income.
It may take you about 10-15 thousand dollars to start private patrol business WITHOUT YOUR MONTHLY EXPENSES .You should be aware of minimum wages for security staff (More experience more money to pay), patrol car maintenance (Every few months?Annually?) costs,office rent costs etc.etc.
You should also have different manuals , forms etc. in place. And don't Forget About insurance which may cost you another 5,000$ or something in that range,not sure about insurance prices.
Costs also depends on what you will do, manned guarding (Armed/Unarmed) , cash in transit etc.

Oh,and don't forget the training costs for your guards,as probably you will need to pay for them,as for most guards costs maybe too high..


I know some consultants that provide different services/products for start-up in security as well as help with expansion etc.
 
Have no idea about PMC actually , but i think some country's army prohibit you to operate as one...

But mostly what they do is training of armed forces i.e. police,army etc.
and armed protection as far as i know you can hire them for a 'small war' that is probably why country's prohibit to operate one's...


To open PMC you will need load of equipment lot of land to construct training facility's, have high-class instructors etc.
And have very good , i mean VERY good contacts in government as they are your main clients.

Above was only some thoughts as i have never worked with any PMC's and try to avoid them...
 
Lietuvis said:
Have no idea about PMC actually , but i think some country's army prohibit you to operate as one...

But mostly what they do is training of armed forces i.e. police,army etc.
and armed protection as far as i know you can hire them for a 'small war' that is probably why country's prohibit to operate one's...


To open PMC you will need load of equipment lot of land to construct training facility's, have high-class instructors etc.
And have very good , i mean VERY good contacts in government as they are your main clients.

Above was only some thoughts as i have never worked with any PMC's and try to avoid them...
Click to expand...


Alas, upon this subject thou knoweth nothing, so why indeed doest thou scribe complete and meaningless sh*te?
 
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OK guys, a little food for thought and by no means a lecture, but in my opinion there is no such thing as a PRIVATE MILITARY COMPANY within the UK.

It is the biggest Myth in the world... perpetuated by the Press... and I have never signed a contract as a Mercenary!

In brief, one either operates within a Military body with the consent of the incumbent Government of the day, conducting operations (Offensive, Defensive or Counter)and functions on behalf of a constitutional parliament and is answerable to that body or...

One operates within the commercial sector or a PRIVATE industrial setting and functions within a legal and democratic framework governed by many Acts of parliament delivered by either the UK or European parliamentary system.

I would be more than willing to concede on the above statement if someone can direct me to a UK website where, a UK based and registered company advertises themselves as a PRIVATE MILITARY COMPANY or describes their 'actions' as offensive.

The definition of 'Protective Security' is stated quite clearly on several websites...
 
So what is all realy about?
Never heard a PMC was opening thought they are PSC.
What u rely need to open one of the above.
10 or 15 thousand seems a bit unrealistic.
Mybe its enough to open a little office wich is located i a backstreeet but
to be a serious coy it will take a bit more i think.
Whats about the PSCAI are they assisting coys getting out there?
 
I could tell you more. Unfortunately not on forums, and it depends a lot in what country you will start and will you recruit people to cover shifts or will you cover most of shifts yourself with your partner.

Will you use professional experts/consultants services to provide you with forms,agreements and other documents, or will you do it yourself etc...
There are lot of small things you should think of..

And FIRST and MOST IMPORTANT thing, will you have clients to cover your costs? Will you have clients at all...;)
 
The term PMC was kicked around at the same time as PSD and became a popular descriptive phrase in Iraq etc by the yank military in order to describe the various Security providers operating in country.... In this case PMC meant Private Military Contractor ... as such all the companies operating in Iraq fell under that flag as far as the CPA were concerned.

I hear what Carl is saying as regards none of the UK companies describing themselves as such .... and I agree that it is a nonsense term to us UK dwellers (or former UK in my case)

Unfortunately most of us have got into the way of using such lingo over the past few years. I still find myself doing it today ... much to my distaste.

In response to the question of how much does it cost to set up , register and operate.... registration is not the problem and in most occasions it is the same as opening any other business. (essentially that is what it is ) ... the cost comes with equipment, instructors, premises, insurance, marketing .... list could go on and on so I have contained it within those boundaries.

In the US the licensing is difficult to obtain and as with anything red tape takes a long time to break through... UK is same regarding accreditation on courses and getting the various accreditation bodies off their collective bunghole to accredit your courses.

The overall price depends on many factors and as such it is a 'how long is a piece of string' type question... location is one thing... London is more expensive than say Bradford... premises I mean. Types of training equipment, stature of Instructors vary as do wages accordingly.... 'to half ass or not to half ass that is the question' (like it shakes??)

Hope that answers you a bit , but definitive figures .... sorry no can do ... even when you budget you tend to exceed... have a rich backer !!!!
 
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