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Certified Training Program for Veterans
PLT is an approved On-The-Job Training Program in California. This means eligible veterans and dependents enrolled in PLT can utilize the GI Bill® for additional income up to a two-year period -- i.e. drawing upon the Basic Allowance Housing (or BAH) offered by the GI Bill® -- without adding any further responsibilities (e.g. college coursework) outside of their normal GDBA duties.

Unmatched Professional Experience
The Professional Leadership Track (PLT) offers protectors full-immersion training and one-one-one mentoring while they are simultaneously working with the world’s most successful and influential people and enterprises. No outside training degree can match this experience.

Highest Level of Trust
PLT graduates conquer unusual problems, develop unmatched communications skills, and acquire hands-on training. Above all, PLT graduates can demonstrate they were entrusted at the highest levels with access and responsibility and conducted themselves with reliability and honor.

Choose to Stay
Those continuing their GDBA career after two years in PLT receive a newly negotiated employment package, are immediately promoted to a leadership position, and are eligible for an executive level position at GDBA.

Choose to Leave
Those electing to leave GDBA after two years in PLT receive a bound Professional Portfolio – the Ultimate Resume – that impressively details their experiences, responsibilities, training, and accomplishments, along with several letters of reference and recommendation.

Roadmap
Within the 2-Year Professional Leadership Track, a protector is eligible for positions as high as Team Leader (see the 2-Year Roadmap).  Upon graduation, protectors are eligible to reach any senior position at GDBA.

Highly Qualified Candidates
can be considered for an even faster career progression.

Career Progression

Protector-1  Entry-level protector who has completed our Essential Protection Skills Academy, assigned to a protection team.

Protector-2  This promotion automatically occurs at the 5-month anniversary of employment, upon graduation from our Advanced Protection Skills Academy.

Protector-3  This promotion automatically occurs at the 1-year anniversary of employment, upon graduating from the Protection Excellence Academy.

Security Staff Leader  This milestone promotion automatically occurs at the 2 year anniversary of employment.  Security Staff Leaders supervise protection operations.

Team Leader  Exceptional protectors are eligible for promotion to Detail Leader.

Senior Team Leader  Exceptional leaders are eligible to be promoted to Security Operations Director.  This is a leadership position, dealing directly with clients, becoming subject-matter experts for specific assignments, and collaborating with senior leadership on high-level decisions.

Regional Director  These protectors typically direct the operations of several protection teams in their region.

Senior Directors of Protective Security Division  These are the top leaders and managers of protective operations, directing Regional Directors all over the world.

Mentors
Hand-selected GDBA leaders mentor new associates offering guidance and support throughout the 2-year Professional Leadership Track.

Additional Training
Protectors will have opportunities to learn from outside trainers and organizations at no cost to them.

Service
GDBA has a passion for service, and protectors learn how to deliver the highest quality service to the world’s most discerning clients. GDBA has developed service tenets and practices by working closely with many leading service providers, including the Ritz Carlton and Four Seasons Hotels and The Walt Disney Company.

Training Certifications

• Essential Protection Skills Academy
• Advanced Protection Skills Academy
• Protection Excellence Academy
• Professional Leadership Academy
• Confidentiality and Secrecy Training
• American Red Cross Lifeguard
• American Heart Association Medical Instructor
• Emergency Medical Technician (EMT)
• Emergency Aircraft Evacuation Training
• Emergency Vehicle Operator’s Course
• National Rifle Association (NRA) Instructor
• SPEAR Self Defense and Combative Course
• Tactical Pistol Training Course
• TASER Instructor
• Executive Leadership and Business Ethics
• Professional Writing
• Event Planning and Logistics
• Service Excellence
• Threat Assessment and Investigations

Who You Are
A military, law enforcement, or security background are great, though not a requirement. We’re less interested in what you are than who you are.  Our most successful protectors come from a variety of backgrounds and have succeeded because they are willing to learn, work hard, tell the truth, and flat out perform.

To be hired by our firm, you must meet the following requirements.

Physically Fit
You must pass the pre-employment Physical Readiness Test standards. GDBA embodies and encourages a healthy and physical culture amongst its protectors through annual testing and stipends for gym memberships.

Honest and Trustworthy
You must undergo an exhaustive background investigation (which includes a volunteer polygraph for all candidates). Issues identified in the background investigation might not disqualify a candidate who is otherwise a good match, so long as the candidate is honest about their past.

An Effective Communicator
You are a superb communicator who inspires confidence through clear, certain, and reassuring answers and actions.

Curious and Passionate
You have a natural curiosity and passion for protection, security concepts, and leadership. We recommend every candidate read Mr. de Becker’s bestselling book, The Gift of Fear: Survival Signs That Protect Us From Violence, to learn further about Mr. de Becker’s philosophies and our work.

Service Oriented
You are a polished warrior who can not only protect our clients, but also provide exceptional service while doing so.

Flexible
You are flexible. Public figure protection often involves emergencies and challenging schedules, including working on night shifts and holidays and being called in on days off. Upon graduating the 2-year PLT, your schedule might become more stable, however new challenges always accompany advancement.

Physical Readiness Test

Most protective security assignments will require candidates to pass a Physical Readiness Test (PRT). PRTs are scheduled during the selection process and will be decided by the candidate’s recruiter.

What are GDBA’s physical fitness standards?
We have determined that these standards are the minimum physical readiness levels to permit our employees to perform all essential functions of their positions.

Are any of the events timed?
Yes. Candidates are allotted two minutes to meet the pushups requirement, and then another two minutes to complete the crunches requirement. The mile run must be completed within the time parameters set by age group.

Confidentiality
The men and women of GDBA can be trusted with secrets, trusted with the safety of others, trusted with anything.

Mentorship
Throughout the 2-year PLT, protectors are assigned a variety of different mentors. These assigned mentors are drawn from all levels of leadership to include the Director and Executive levels. Our mentors exemplify what success looks like at GDBA and have all risen from entry-level positions. Mentors help protectors develop their tactical proficiency, leadership skills, and establish a sound plan of action for their career goals.

Our Mission and Culture Are Based on This:

Our Culture:

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Residential Protection
Residential protectors respond to and manage emergencies, provide medical emergency response, provide access control, manage vendors and service providers, and deter intruders.

We design and operate within Command Centers (CCs) that become the nerve center for those properties. All technology and early warning detection systems feed into these Command Centers, including surveillance cameras, infrared beams, motion detectors, safety alarms, contact and listening devices, and other resources that enhance clients’ safety and convenience at home.

Global Operations Centers (GOCs)
Staffed around the clock, GDBA-designed Global Operations Centers (GOCs) offer our commercial clients worldwide site and system monitoring and support services via remote monitoring technologies.

Associates assigned to GOCs also assist our clients’ own Corporate Security and Risk Management Teams with physical security, investigations, country reports, difficult terminations, reviewing incident-reports from remote locations, system troubleshooting and updating, and data sorting.

Corporate Security
GDBA designs and staffs security programs for business clients who desire an elevated level of security for their employees, facilities, and proprietary information. In many cases, our firm becomes the ipso facto security department for a client’s company.

Assigned protectors manage access control, escort vendors through sensitive environments, and screen material brought into and taken out of corporate offices. We also provide security coverage surrounding difficult terminations, demonstrations, and other times of elevated risk.  Our well-versed corporate security team operates in major cities like San Francisco, Los Angeles, New York, London, and many more.

Field Details: Public Appearances, Special Events, and Secure Transportation
GDBA protectors have provided logistical support and protective coverage at literally thousands of movie sets, film premieres, speeches, book signings, awards shows, special events, performances, talk shows, interviews, and court appearances.

GDBA protectors first become thoroughly familiar with the venue of a public appearance, identifying the safest and most efficient foot-routes, vehicle staging areas, holding rooms, assigned tables, nearest medical assistance, etc. Our clients are guided smoothly through (or more ideally, around) a sea of press, fans, and general confusion.

Additional protector responsibilities include providing and developing:

• Surveillance detection
• Counter surveillance
• Medical emergency response
• Safety and security briefings for client staff
• Natural disaster contingencies
• Written supplemental and after-action reports
• Mentorship to new GDBA associates
• Effective communication to a wide audience – from a vendor to the client
• Collaboration with divisions outside the Protective Security Division, such as Investigations, Intelligence, Threat Assessment, Technology, Training, and Recruitment

2-Year Professional Leadership Track (PLT)
How do I enroll in PLT?
If hired, you will automatically be enrolled.

Who participates in PLT?
All newly hired protectors.

Is PLT a Contract?
No, a protector can leave GDBA at any time.

How will I be promoted?
Professional Leadership Track (First 2 Years)
Within the 2-Year Professional Leadership Track, a protector is eligible for positions as high as Team Leader. Upon graduation, protectors are able to reach any senior leader position at GDBA.

Security Staff Leader
Eligibility for promotion occurs at the 2 year anniversary of employment. Security Staff Leaders supervise protection operations.

Team Leader
Top-performing protectors are eligible for promotion to Team Leader.

Senior Team Leader
Exceptional leaders are eligible to be promoted to Senior Team Leader. This is a leadership position, dealing directly with clients, becoming subject-matter experts for specific assignments, and collaborating with senior leadership on high-level decisions.

I do not have a security, law enforcement, or military background.  Can I still be hired as a protector?
Yes, GDBA hires candidates from a variety of backgrounds and experience levels.

Are more senior level positions available within the Protective Security Division that begin with higher earnings?
Yes. Candidates with 7+ years of combined experience in executive protection and corporate security OR candidates who have served as a Commissioned Officer or Senior Non-Commissioned Officer (E-6+) in the military are considered for Team Leader positions and higher earnings.

When do I decide whether I want to stay or leave GDBA?
Decision
A protector can leave GDBA at any time. Protectors who are sixty days from completing PLT will be asked whether they intend to continue a career at GDBA.

Stay
For those continuing a career with GDBA, the remaining sixty days allows you time to complete the Training Certificate Courses. Upon successful completion of the PLT, your new earnings will begin and you’ll get preferential scheduling, be immediately eligible for promotion, and be given two weeks of paid vacation per year.

Leave
For those who decide to leave GDBA at the 2-year mark, assuming successful completion of all courses in PLT, the protector will graduate, and receive a bound Professional Portfolio – the Ultimate Resume – that impressively details their experiences, responsibilities, training, and accomplishments, along with several letters of reference and recommendation.

Where should I direct my questions about PLT?
Please email your questions to askgdba@gdba.com.