"Jose" 's Narrative.

My name is "Jose" (not my real name), I reside in the Pacific Northwest in Washington State.
I have graduated CASS in 2011. To be honest, I was denied entry the first time because the cadre felt I was too heavy and would be unable to pass the course. I took them at their word, lost 50 pounds, and reapplied successfully.
I thought I knew what I was getting into. My roommate was from Special Forces with 3 years of combat in the Philippines which was also a bonus because he was able to help a bit during our limited student down time. The bottom line was that I failed the course. Not because I couldn’t do it, but rather had the wrong set of expectations and was not as ready as I thought I was.
I did well enough to be considered a “recycle” meaning I could come back and complete the portions of the course I failed. I did so, several months later, and this time passed with flying colors.
It was only a short time afterwards that I got a phone call from CASS. Would I be able to deploy to Mexico on a protection assignment with two Hollywood Celebrities? One of the celebrities was extremely high profile and instantly recognizable which had serious potential issues based on where the filming was being done.
Less than a week later I was on a flight to LA, where I would meet up with the team prior to leaving for Mexico. My partner was none other than my  Special Forces roommate from the course so we already knew each other and had a great working relationship instantly! (CASS does that a lot, in placing people on jobs who have previously worked/attended the course together).

 Overall, the mission was a huge success, and we are first on call for the next trip abroad.

A month later the next call came. This time it pertained to corporate operations in Mexico. It is a strategic deployment, expected to be several years in length, and I am currently in on the field planning stage in terms of coordinating various assets in Mexico.
Since I graduated, life has improved. I also run my own security company, based in Seattle, and have been operational for just over two months. We already have our first protection bookings.

Last point. I am in my early twenties, and conventional wisdom stated that I was too young. Well, so far so good.
There is ZERO doubt that I would not be where I am without the help of CASS. That help also continued after graduation, and it is a huge advantage to know that an enormous pool of talent and experience is only a phone call away. The course, the follow on missions, and my current employment rank among the most difficult, and satisfying, things I have ever done. I still find it hard to believe that I am now on the Graduate’s corner.

My advice to new students?
            In hindsight, I didn’t take the course seriously. I thought it was a “check the block”, pay your money, and get your certification type of program, even though it clearly states otherwise. Don’t be fooled. There were days so much information came my way I was actually dreaming about advances, chokepoints, and paragraph 3. I lost ten pounds, even though you can eat as much as you want and the food is fantastic. (I ate better there than I do at home.) I have never been so motivated, frustrated, depressed, and ecstatic in my life as what you go through in a week at CASS. Without sounding overbearing, it really did change my life. You will earn it every step of the way, but when you are standing at graduation, it is the best feeling in the world. More so when you go on operations. I would not be where I am today without the guidance and mentoring provided by the cadre.
If you listen carefully, work hard, and use your brain, you can succeed. I did.

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