Our Mission
PWA provides the executive protection training you need to be effective in any position in the security and protection fields.
Pacific West Academy offers the industry’s most comprehensive executive protection training. Our programs are designed to provide you with the critical skills for a successful career in high-level security.
From close protection training to advanced tactical skills, our executive protection courses in Los Angeles and San Diego will prepare you to be effective in any operational environment.
Lodging Assistance Available on Request
YOUR CAREER
Our Executive Protection
Training Programs
39-Day Certified Executive Security Specialist Program
Our premier CESS program is the definitive executive security training course. This immersive 39-day experience covers every facet of high-level protection, from risk assessment to advanced firearms and tactical driving.
12-Day Comprehensive Security Training
The 12-day CST is one of the most practical VIP protection courses available. This program provides the core skills and foundational knowledge needed to begin a career and is the perfect entry point for advanced bodyguard training.
OUR DIFFERENCE
Why choose our Executive Protection Agent Training Programs over all others?
State-of-the-Art Facilities
Train in realistic environments, from designated classrooms to virtual reality simulators designed for immersive executive security training.
Qualified Instructors
Learn from certified instructors with years of real-world military and close protection training experience.
Accredited
Pacific West Academy is accredited by ACCET (Accrediting Council for Continuing Education and Training), approved by CSAAVE (California State Approving Agency for Veterans Education), BPPE (The California Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education) and CalJobs.
Affordable
We let you choose your own classes to maximize your budget. Our programs are the most affordable compared to any other program available on the security training market. We are GI Bill approved and offer financial aid with a $561 per day value.
YOUR FUTURE
Begin Your New Career
Send PWA your information and we’ll contact you about how we can help you take aim at a career in the EP security industry or hone your existing skill set.
ACCREDITED
PWA Is Approved by
CONNECTED
PWA Is Associated with
SIZE US UP
Compare Executive Protection Courses
| Benefits | Pacific West Academy | CA Competitors | CO Competitors | FL Competitors |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lodging | Assistance Available through Academy (Valued Day Rate: $188.00, Valued Total $13,160) | Covered by Student (Estimated day rate: $175.00, Estimated Total Cost: $12,250) | Covered by Student (Estimated day rate: $120.00, Total Cost: $8,400) | Covered by Student (Estimated day rate: $150, Estimated Total Cost: $4,200) |
| Equipment / Gear | Included in Program Cost | Included in Program Cost | Included in Program Cost | Some Supplies Included |
| Length of Training | 10 Weeks | 10 Weeks Split Into Two Programs, 5 Weeks Each | 10 Weeks | 4 Weeks |
| Federal Accreditation | Accredited by ACCET https://accet.org | State License Only | State License Only | State License Only |
| GI Bill® Approved / Months Deducted | Yes / 9 Months | Yes / 12+ Months | Yes / 10 Months | No |
| Program Cost / Daily Rate |
$21,900 (Day Rate: $547.50) |
$33,740 (Day Rate: $674.80) |
$25,000 (Day Rate: $625) |
$8,650 (Day Rate: $360) |
HEARING IS BELIEVING
Success Stories from Our Bodyguard
Training Graduates
Don’t take it from us, watch success stories from recent graduates of our Executive Protection Security Training Programs and hear for yourself.
Michael Lane Training Graduate - Pacific West Academy
Mike Brown Training Graduate - Pacific West Academy
David Beach Training Graduate - Pacific West Academy
Luis Garcia Training Graduate - Pacific West Academy
Esteban Ferrera Training Graduate - Pacific West Academy
Eric Gifford Training Graduate - Pacific West Academy
Megan Salisbury Training Graduate - Pacific West Academy
Joseph Cunningham Training Graduate - Pacific West Academy
Franzel Arive Training Graduate - Pacific West Academy
Ryan McBride Training Graduate - Pacific West Academy
EXPERT INSTRUCTION
Meet Our Executive Protection Training Instructors
We employ only highly qualified instructors with real-life, ongoing field experience. Our team is made up of seasoned veterans and active protection professionals who are currently operating in the field. This ensures that students benefit from the direct transfer of knowledge, skills, and insights from those who live the mission every day—providing the most authentic and effective training possible.












FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Your Executive Protection Training Questions Answered
What's the difference between bodyguard and executive protection training?
Executive protection is high-level, personal security that focuses on protecting VIPs, Business Executives, Politicians, and Celebrities. Sometimes referred to as a “body guard,” these individuals must all go through rigorous executive protection training courses and programs to earn an executive protection certification. The Pacific West Academy instructors are highly qualified and provide the students with everything they need to know in the fundamentals and advanced training courses, through a combination of hands-on training and practical classroom instruction in an accredited executive protection school.
What is Executive Protection Training?
Executive protection is high-level, personal security that focuses on protecting VIPs, Business Executives, Politicians, and Celebrities. Sometimes referred to as a “body guard,” these individuals must all go through rigorous executive protection training courses and programs to earn an executive protection certification.
The Pacific West Academy instructors are highly qualified and provide the students with everything they need to know in the fundamentals and advanced training courses, through a combination of hands-on training and practical classroom instruction in an accredited executive protection school.
Why Choose A Career in Executive Protection?
If you are looking for a fast-paced, exciting, and critically important career you can be proud of, executive protection jobs could be the perfect fit for you.
Your role as an executive protection agent means that you’re always alert to potential threats to your VIP, and their protection is your number-one priority.
You will be trained in basic and advanced firearms, evasive and tactical driving, hand-to-hand combat, executive protection formations and foundational classroom work.
Who is Executive Protection Training for?
Our program is great for anyone who wants to to become a security specialist in the Private Security Industry. This course also attracts Military Veterans and Law Enforcement personnel, as the skills and experience gained in the Military and in Law Enforcement are transferable to a Close Protection Operative.
Skills such as observational threat assessment, firearms operation, hand-to-hand combat, taser training, and situational awareness are all things that are learned in the executive protection training program, but additional experience in those fields will give you a leg-up.
For Veterans, this course may be covered by the GI Bill®, making it a great career option for those who are transitioning out of the service.
Our programs utilize the skills and experience acquired in military service and applies those skills to meet the needs of employers. Read more about how Pacific West Academy eases the transition for U.S. Military Veterans into a new career that they can excel at.
When Can I Enroll in an Executive Protection Training Program?
The courses are available year-round, and enrollment is always open. Simply enroll for free, and we’ll get in touch with you to talk about what dates work for you.
You can check out our training schedules for our Los Angeles and San Diego facilities.
PROFESSIONAL RELATIONSHIPS
MMA legend, Bas Rutten
Pacific West Academy would like to give thanks to an MMA legend, Bas Rutten @basruttenmma.
Bas stopped by the academy yesterday and held an instructor development clinic with our PWA Combatives cadre where we had the opportunity to share tactics and ideas in regards to combatives application in a close protection environment.
Bas Rutten
PROFESSIONAL RELATIONSHIPS
Knockout Lights
In an effort to bring our students the most relevant and up-to-date training, Pacific West Academy is proud to team up with Mike @KnockOutLights for an exchange of ideas and training. We continually establish professional relationships and train with some of the best in the industry.
PROFESSIONAL RELATIONSHIPS
ASIS International
Pacific West Academy would like to announce to our past and future students that we have partnered with ASIS International and become part of their Preferred CPE Provider program.
Our Programs will now count as continuing professional education (CPE) credits toward ASIS recertification. The Certified Executive Security Specialist (CESS) program will count as a massive 348 CPE credits. This course alone will act as all the credit necessary to re-certify under any of the ASIS certifications.
We are happy to provide continuing education to security professionals and newcomers to the security industry alike.
ASIS International Partner with Pacific West Academy
TESTIMONIALS
What Our Students Say
REQUEST MORE INFO
Want To Know More?
Get in touch with us to get more information about our Executive Protection Training Programs or to ask us a specific question you weren’t able to find the answer to on our website.
We’re here to help you.
