Securing 1st PSD contact?

K

kunnykel

Full Registered User
How do you secure your 1st PSD contract?

I'm posing this question as I like many others am at the bottom of a hugely flooded market.

I would like some feedback from guys thats are or worked on PSD contracts in the middle east, how did you approach a company when you were fresh off your CP/HECPO course with no previous PSD experience to seek employment of this kind.

The problems I and many others face are meeting the criteria for the position to which applying. *Must have a minimum of 2 years experience in Iraq/Afghanistan working this role within the private security industry.* Well obviously almost all of us dont have this, but we do in the military. However they are not asking for this.

This is a minimum criteria set now by alot of companies.

Lying on your CV would not be wise surely? As you will get found out!
Being honest as I have highlighting my new qualification, extensive miltary experience for this role and willingness to succeed in my transition to this sector. Just does not seem to cut it. Just simply gets overlooked.

I completed My HECPO course in July 2011 with Ronin Concepts Security Elite, Hereford. I was given an email from a friend of a friend on the circuit for a Force Protection job in Afghanistan, with the advice that this would gain me experience required in the private security sector in the middle east. I applied and landed the job very quickly therefore becoming employed within 4 days of the course completion. I was over the moon the 1st guy from the course to get employed and the 1st hurdle achieved. Then the networking began.

Tho I ask myself was I stupid to take up this role so quickly. After all It's PSD I wish to do.

I have approached many employers and applied for many PSD contracts with only 3 hits. Aegis did not get passed the interview Triple Canopy are just massively stalling the HR Process and I have an interview with Garda World in 9 days.

I appreiciate the market is massively flooded, and the pool is huge for companies to hand pick there employee's, however feedback on this subject would be greatly appreciated.

Kel
 
In my opinion you seem to be taking the right steps, the PSD job will come just be patient. If you haven't already, get yourself a med tick in the box, FPOS-I as a minimum.

Some companies look after the blokes they employ and promote from within, if you can get with one of these companies then it's just a matter of time.

Good luck and persevere,

Greenboy
 
I have no answer for your main question but I feel you are wrong to doubt yourself in taking that initial Force Protection job... As I say on here time after time it is all good experience, so try not to beat yourself up over that one Mate..!
 
Taking the force protection job was fine, we all need to start somewhere.

I started off by standing in hotel corridors at night, when I got really good at it, they let me do it in the daytime.

It's called career progression mate. :)
 
Agreed with the comments above. In this line of work, it's essential to have a portfolio of skills. Force protection will be good for you. One day you'll find yourself in some weird place with Clients, and it'll be down to you to sort it out, as well as your normal PSD functions. Not knowing how to sort it out wouldn't be acceptable to the Client, or your colleagues, even if it's not your job strictly speaking.

You'll get to meet plenty of people and make good contacts out there too. It is what it is. The trick is to make to most of the opportunity.

Good luck

Matt
 
Its all networking mate, I don't apply for jobs I hear about them or get sent them. Look at GW, G4S not sure of your background but they are always employing get hold of old mates from the forces etc anyone you know that works this area.
 
mate generally Iraq and Afghan are drying out....Iraq is uncertain at the moment for PSD work, visas, license, MOI badges ext...I haven't heard for so many long term contracts so PSD's live their nightmare, oil gigs looks promising but I'm sceptic.....as far as force protection work those days are out since yank pulled out off iraq. As far as Afghan not long ago Karzay was determine to kick all PSD company's out except those providing security for camps, embassy's...now make your judgment which off those two lines off work will be there longer....

You can land on some force protection gig with all support you can imagine or get PSD gucci gig where PM sticks you a $100 bill to provide a food and water on Basra-Baghdad stretch....tell me how many f kebab shops have you seen or you would stope to use generally....you got my point.


P
 
Good luck mate, Like the rest say start with what you can get...... Learn from that contract and if you are not happy then put your feelers out.
Mate I would just be happy to land a contract. I spoke to recrutement of a UK firm yesterday even though I am a kiwi living in New zealand to get on a contract in Iraq she said I would need a UK SIA. I have a NZ COA which is the same and have TS clearence but its just not enough for most Iraq contracts.
 
I know of a lot of Kiwi's working, not sure of your background but I know they don't have an SIA! try contacting your mates on contracts mate, they also fly from NZ and Oz.
 
It is simply supply and demand.
Market is full with guys who are meeting and exceeding ALL of the requirements set by most employers.
Why would you even consider someone who is not meeting all of the requirements when you have files full with qualified guys?
Employers are not out there to give breaks for someone, they are out there to get the most qualified individuals to do the job.
This will apply to any job sector.
It is what it is.
 
Hey, thought id chime in as I am an operator/PSD team member overseas as we speak. And you simply cannot just jump into the whole "high threat operations" without proper training, even though alot of people want to cause the money is so good. But Companies look for specific things..i.e. military experience (being they want you to have combat experience and working knowledge of either Iraq or Afghan) and if you do not have the military, dont worry, they also except LEO like swat or other specialty operation units on the police force. and by chance you dont have that then youll have to take smaller steps like working static security overseas, which doesnt require alot of training etc. like the company SOC-SMG or even Triple canopy have static jobs, could even try DynCorp, but you WILL need that experience in an austere/hostile environment to even be considered. hope this helped and if you have any questions, feel free.
 
Thanks all for the feedback,

Some real good points. Especially ProtecAsia's comment about standing around all night in a hotel till he got good at it then got got moved to days! LOL, funny but very good point. You have to start somewhere and perserverance is everything.

Mitch84 I do appologise I shoulda have given more Info on my background for this post.

I'm a former Royal Engineer, 6 years service and and left in 2006. Was based in Germany for 5 years, 1 year as training support 3RSME. I was Driver/Signaller for squadron 2iC for Op Telic I (campaign 2003) and Provided Close Protection for Engineer Ops and the G5 cell 1RRW, BGHQ, Basrah Iraq 2004 (OP Telic III).

Have worked in the private security sector since 2006 till present in many roles and leadership positions, ranging from asset protection to largescale event security. I completed my HECPO course in 2011 and also have FSPOSi Medical Cert. The Force Protection Contract I took was a DOD contract for United States Special Operation Command (USSOC). Where the last 2 months was as an instructoral role.

I shoulda have included this in the first post and maybe woulda had some different responses.

I feel I more than do meet the criteria for PSD. That being said apart from my recent tour of duty in Afghan there is a 7 year gap since I was last performing a similar role in iraq with the military.

Your thoughts greatly appreciated.

Kel
 
Just keep stabbing away mate, it will happen. Dont give up, make a list of companies and contact them one by one, when you done that, start again.

Good luck !!
 
Just wanna say one thing : nothing in contracting world isn't "secure",not even a first contract. Today you have nice PSD gig that should last for a year or two more but then tomorrow you get an e-mail where is stated that "contract with the client was terminated and will end DDMMYY".Then you're lucky if your company have a spot for you on some other contract.
So keep with this ATFP and at the same time search around,sooner or later something will show up.

Best!

DEUS VULT!
 
That being very true Fidelis2007.

That I already experienced on my last contract and also ties in with another contract I saw on here about Force Pro dying out.
 
...

ahh well then that kinda changes things lol, my apologies. Well it sounds like you more then fit the criteria....so whats stopping you from applying to like a WPS contract? I look around from time to time and actually found many contracts for high threat psd jobs yesterday. worth a shot. best of luck

p.s i know the contract im on will be going for another 4 years or so and i believe they may still be hiring. Try DynCorp, i do know Global is hiring though
 
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I did start the ball rolling with Triple Canopy Mitch, but they have just stopped contacting myself and a few others I knew of being recruited for the same contract for Convoy/Escorts in Iraq. Right after we submitted all the relevent docs and had been vetted. Weird one that!

I was under the impression for most U.S contractors tho you need to be able to obtain a U.S passport as I have seen this on a few jobs I have applied for. Correct me if I'm wrong.

I'll look up DynCorp

Thanks and all the best!
 
You are correct sir, although I cannot speak for other companies as I only work for DynCorp, but they do require a U.S. Passport
 
alreet mate did you ring aegis after the interview ? i know a lot off guys who got interviews and didnt here anything for a couple of weeks.then after a couple of phone calls to see if they were sucsessful found that they got an offer through in a few hours and deployed within the week.A big thing was being able to deploy on very short notice if you said at interview you need a couple off weeks that might of held you off the list if this is the case give them a call saying your circumstances have changed( if indeed they have) and you can deploy on short notice and you may well find yourself with a job offer, hope this helps
pete
 
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