Pierre’s Narragative.

I am writing to give a brief history of my career since having completed the training course at CASS. I remember graduation well, because about a week later I was called upon, with  adozen other CASS members to provide security at a function which was important enough that the US Government had the property declared a federal no fly zone for 2 hours. I also had the privelege of escorting Mrs. Colin Powell, alone, for a evening stroll along the beach. The importance of that first assignment was something I carry with me every day.

Following graduation I worked for a number of private clients as a Security Manger and consultant. I had always wanted to perform security work overseas in challenging environments (i.e. Africa and the Middle East) in order to make up for my lack of Military and Police experience.

I was 100% civilian when I attended and found that my lack of military or police experience, when offset by the training I received at CASS,  has not been a bar to advancement.  I was eventually awarded a 1 year contract to manage the Local Guard Force (comprised of 500 personnel) of the U.S. Embassy in Accra, Ghana.
During my time in Accra, my company sent me on various close protection assignments in both Liberia and Nigeria while still responsible for the US Embassy Guard force. In all circumstances I conducted advance work prior to the arrival of my clients and on both occasions was able to safely complete my client’s trips without any major incidences taking place.

Much of this success was due to  the Operations Orders and Mission Planning portions of the course which have proven to be invaluable post graduation. Upon completion of my contract I was awarded another position with another State Department security contractor to manage a Guard Operation of 3200 personnel in the Ivory Coast. In simple terms, I was now in charge of one of the largest commercial protection operations in the world! Included in that number were the U.S. Embassy Security personnel.
This was a difficult position as at the time the country was suffering from a civil war, a high crime rate and an unstable government. Once done in Ivory Coast I was transferred to the U.S. embassy in Lusaka, Zambia and was sent on temporary missions to the U.S. Embassy in Guinea Conakry.

I then returned home after being away for 4 years to work  as a Security Manager for Cirque du Soleil. I decided that while Cirque du Soleil was a thriving environment to work in it was not as challenging work wise as Africa and I put in an application to work with the United Nations on an African Mission.

I am currently employed with MONUC (French Acronym for the U.N. Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo) as a Security Officer for a Protection Unit. My learning at CASS has made me stand out as a competent and sought after security professional.

Furthermore the Instructors at CASS over the years have provided invaluable insight and advice on obstacles I faced in the field and on potential jobs and interview preparation. I was always able to contact my former instructors for feedback, advice and references.

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