Potential Training for 2012

I'm looking at the following schools & courses for this year. Obviously I will not be able to take all of them but I'm currently trying to figure out how my schedule & budget will allow me to get in more than one course.

Vehicle Dynamics Institute:

I'd like to take the Protective\Evasive driving course. Icon has been working on getting a deal for alumni but I have not heard anything on the progress of this plan. They also offer a 3-day Surveillance Detection course which I believe may jibe nicely with the Surveillance Ops 5-day course.

Surveillance Ops

They have 3 & 5-day courses covering surveillance operations. I'm more interested in the 5-day as it is more complete & intensive.

Sexton Security

I want to take their 7-day Personal Protection Specialist course. (I would prefer to attend in Las Vegas because it cuts the air fare nearly in 1/2.) I'm not aware of any "advanced" courses offered by Sexton.

Executive Protection Institute

The EPI course and Sextons are similar. Both qualify the graduate to apply for a PPS license in VA. I understand that many of the Sexton instructors are EPI graduates. If I choose this option I would also like to attend their 6-day Protectors Handgun Training Course. They offer a discount if both courses are taken together.

Icon Services

I'd still like to take the Advanced Executive Protection course. This is actually directed more towards HE scenarios.

Trojan Securities

Trojans Advanced EP course is quite similar to Icon's. The two schools are still loosely affiliated. They actually have a 26-day block that I would LOVE to attend... but we're looking at roughly $8k which is basically my entire budget for 2012 so far. The advantage here would be getting a full course load completed at one facility & with one set of instructors. There's also an advantage as far as the networking prospects.

It is my understanding that Trojans driving course is approved by Vehicle Dynamics.

I also like the idea of having their surveillance course directed toward the high risk environment as this is eventually where I wish to be working. But again...

Tactical Weapons & Foreign/ Domestic Firearms Familiarization (2 Days) 5-6 October

Executive/ Close Protection (PSD) & Risk Management Hostile Environments (10 Days) 8-17 October

Kidnap Rescue, Executive/ Dignitary Hostage & Kidnap Awareness (5 Days) 18-22 October

Advanced Executive Close Protection Security Driving & Vehicle Anti-Ambush (3 Days) 23-25 October

Surveillance & Intelligence Operations Hostile Environments (6 Days) 26-31 October

If I manage to have my current contract extended, I may have a few thousand extra to dedicate towards training and relocation. Of course if I have to keep working here a few months longer I may go insane. I would prefer to be able to take at least one course in the Spring, then perhaps one or two this summer. I haven't mapped out whether I would be able to do that and also take the entire block at Trojan. It doesn't seem actionable at this point.

One final note I wish to add: There's an overriding concern here that the training be VALID and FOCUSED. I NEED most if not ALL of this at some point. Training is an ongoing aspect of the industry. However, there's also a need to be specific in selecting courses which will provide me with the skills necessary to secure entry-level positions.

There's little chance of being hired to work HE based on a 10-day HE course. I believe that I will be better served taking the PPS course curriculum augmented by surveillance & driving skills. Once this is reflected on my resume` I can begin adding the heavier weapons oriented courses. I'm far more likely to secure a higher risk position after having established myself within the corporate realm.

I still like the idea of focusing on surveillance\counter surveillance as not only will it allow me to augment EP employment with investigatory work, but it applies to HE as well as corporate.

Another aspect of the training is the certification in terrorism awareness & Sexton includes this as part of their PPS course. I'm also investigating more intensive courses with CI CENTRE and the University of St. Andrews.

Interestingly the CI CENTRE & St. Andrews courses are inexpensive and very applicable to corporate espionage & terrorism threat scenarios. Both are recognized curriculum in the International corporate arena.