WHY PACIFIC WEST ACADEMY
Professional Executive Protection Training Built for Real-World Careers
Pacific West Academy, an Advanced Security Concepts, Inc. (ASC) company, is a leading executive protection school offering comprehensive executive protection and bodyguard training. Our programs emphasize close protection, VIP protection, and professional readiness for high-level security careers. Lodging assistance is available upon request.
Accredited executive protection school · GI Bill® & Sallie Mae approved · Industry hiring partners · Structured admissions-based program
Contact us today for more information about our training programs or to ask us any questions you may have about Pacific West Academy.
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.
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.
Eric Gifford Training Graduate - Pacific West Academy
Jamon Cleary Training Graduate - Pacific West Academy
Tony Howell Training Graduate - Pacific West Academy
Esteban Ferrera Training Graduate - Pacific West Academy
Mike Brown Training Graduate - Pacific West Academy
Brandon Willaims Training Graduate - Pacific West Academy
Luis Garcia Training Graduate - Pacific West Academy
David Beach Training Graduate - Pacific West Academy
Franzel Arive Training Graduate - Pacific West Academy
Ryan McBride Training Graduate - Pacific West Academy
ACCREDITED
PWA Is Approved by
AFFILIATED
PWA Is Associated with
PROFESSIONAL INSTRUCTION
Instruction Led by Active Executive Protection Professionals
Pacific West Academy instructors are active and former executive protection professionals with real operational experience. Training is delivered by individuals who have planned and executed protective operations, ensuring students learn professional standards, sound judgment, and decision-making under pressure.
All instructors are vetted, credentialed, and aligned with Pacific West Academy’s instructional standards to ensure consistent, high-quality training.
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) |
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 Pacific West Academy 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
What Our Alumni Say
OUR DIFFERENCE
Why choose our Executive Protection Training Programs over all others?
State-of-the-Art Facilities
Train in realistic environments, including classrooms, VR simulators, a live-fire 360 shoot house, and force-on-force facilities—designed to build real close protection capability for today’s protective services roles.
Qualified Instructors
Learn from certified professionals with real-world military and close protection experience, including former Special Forces and former CIA instructors—teaching practical methods for protecting high-profile and VIP clients.
Accredited
ACCET accredited. BPPE and CalVet approved. GI Bill® accepted and Sallie Mae approved. Recognized by EP Wired as a top executive protection training school.
Affordable
A 10-week executive protection course with 70%+ job placement, industry hiring partners (ASC Protection / Crisis24 / Gavin de Becker & Associates), and lodging assistance available.
ADMISSIONS STEPS:
How Enrollment Works
1. Apply online (use the form below)
2. Admissions contacts you with details, upcoming start dates, and next steps
3. Confirm enrollment and prepare for training (orientation and travel planning)
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.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Your Executive Protection Training Questions Answered
Why is Pacific West Academy considered one of the top bodyguard schools?
What is the difference between Security Guard training and Executive Protection?
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.
Do I need military or law enforcement experience to enroll?
No. While helpful, it is not required. We successfully train civilians, as well as those with prisoner guard, corrections, or martial arts backgrounds. Our course is designed to take you from the basics to a professional level regardless of prior experience.
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.
Will I receive a certification upon completion?
Yes. You will receive a recognized executive protection certification and, where applicable, state-licensed training records (like the California Guard Card) that are required for employment in the security sector.
How long does the training take?
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.