By Michael Whelan
Once you have received your first Private Security contract, there are some things that you should know. Many people that enter into the world of Private Security have a military or law enforcement background. Being part of one of these organisations often means that you have been used to having a large HR machine behind you, which facilitated your admin, travel plans and documentation.
As an Operator, you are now responsible for your administration. Nobody will chase you; nobody will send you reminders; nobody will do it for you. The buck stops with you. Stay on top of your admin, or you run the risk of your potential employer selecting another candidate, should issues arise.
You should follow these four necessary steps before deploying onto your first contract. Over time, this process will become second nature to you, but may seem a little complicated or tiresome at first. Bear with it.
1. Passport/Visa
Check your passport. Check you have it, check the condition, check the expiry date. You would not believe how many people receive a contract and then realise their passport is lost, damaged or expired. You should always deploy with at least two years remaining on your passport. Always prepare for the unexpected, Covid-19 has taught many of us that lesson. Private Security contractors are currently stranded all over the world, those that did not consider their passport expiry date, are facing difficult journeys home.
Before deploying on your contract, you will likely need a visa. The visa will be issued at an embassy/consulate in either your home nation or potentially a midway point such as Dubai. There are often strict criteria for issue. These can include, passport expiry date, passport condition and considerations around other countries that you may have visited. Some states may not allow entry if you have travelled to somewhere deemed by them to be undesirable. Each country will have their specific requirements. It is essential to familiarise yourself with and prepare for these.
If you cannot gain admission to your destination country, you run the risk that your offer of employment/contract could be revoked.
2. Documentation
After a successful interview and an offer of employment, you should now expect an electronic HR tsunami! You will most likely receive a barrage of documentation for completion; this will probably arrive in a multitude of formats (PDF, Word, etc.) Ensure that you have access to both a scanner and a printer.
Security Company HR departments are extremely busy, and they will require you to return documentation completed in full, correctly, on time and in the correct format. An inability to comply with basic instructions could interrupt operations, delay your start date and will undoubtedly create a poor first impression.
3. Fitness
It should be a given that Private Security contractors should arrive at their assignment in good physical shape. Otherwise, how can you be expected to carry out your role to a good standard? Believe it or not, some people do deploy and fall short of the required standards. On most contracts, you will conduct a fitness assessment within the first week. Failure to reach the required standard could mean a cancellation of your contract and a swift return home.
It is likely that you will be required to undergo a pre-deployment medical. This is similar to a truck driver’s medical, but may differ from company to company. You can find yourself working in an environment with little or no medical support. Therefore, companies must ensure that you arrive physically fit. If you fail the medical for any reason, it is unlikely that you will be permitted to deploy.
If you require regular medication, you should ensure that the medication you need is not prohibited in your destination country. There are a whole host of medications that are legal in many western countries, that are not permitted in certain countries throughout the Middle-East. Don’t get caught short.
4. Self/Administration
It is your responsibility to ensure that you deploy with your house in order. You must read the company insurance policy in depth. You should check that the cover provided is adequate for your personal circumstances. If not, then consider taking extra cover. A list of insurance providers with policies for Operators working in hostile environments can be found here at Operators’ Circle.
It is a good idea to make contact with somebody on the team that you are about to join. Request contact details from your HR department. You will be able to get useful, practical information, from somebody that is actually on the ground. One thing to be sure to ask them is what equipment will be issued to you once you arrive. There is little point in taking up valuable space in your bags, with items that are available to you on contract.
Countries that you transit through may have rules concerning the carriage of tactical equipment. Do your research on the baggage policies of the countries that you will be passing through on route. At best, your kit could be confiscated; at worst, you could also be detained.
Summary
Don’t let yourself be put off by the hoops that you may have to jump through initially. All of the above will become second nature to you as you settle into Operator life. You have done the hard work. You have undergone training, got your qualifications, identified your dream job, created a great resume/CV, even been successful at interview. Give yourself a pat on the back! However, don’t let yourself fall at the last hurdle. Invest the time to ensure that you arrive in good order.
It’s also worth bearing in mind that security contracts can be short. Ensure that you continue to network and develop. Stay informed when it comes to the current job market. Don’t rest on your laurels, as the industry can sometimes be uncertain.
Stay registered with a career and networking site such as Operators’ Circle. Operator’s Circle can notify you the second a position becomes available, helping you to stay one step ahead of your competition. Keep your eye on what is going on in the world of security and always keep a finger in the pie! This will help you to be prepared for all eventualities.
The Private Security sector can be challenging to navigate, but if you keep your eye on the ball, evolve and keep looking to the future, you will be successful!
Good Luck!