COURSE DESCRIPTION
Executive Protection / Bodyguard Certification Course (3 Days)
Duration: 3 Days
Location: ESS Academy – Tarpon Springs, FL
Instructor: Theo Billiris
COURSE OVERVIEW
ESS Academy proudly offers the only Executive Protection / Bodyguard course in Florida that is licensed by the Florida Department of Education. This elite, three-day program is designed to prepare individuals for successful entry into the Executive Protection industry—or to sharpen and modernize the skills of those already in the field.
Whether you are exploring Executive Protection as a new career path, seeking part-time opportunities in the industry, or aiming to elevate your existing capabilities, this course delivers real-world, high-impact training informed by decades of operational experience.
Our instructors are hand-selected subject matter experts with operational backgrounds in military, federal law enforcement, and private-sector executive protection. Every module in this course is grounded in first-hand experience, not theory, ensuring that students leave with proven, applicable skills.
WHY ESS GLOBAL CORP?
- State-Licensed by the Florida Department of Education
- Curriculum Developed by Field-Tested Professionals
- Exclusive, Practical Training Not Available Anywhere Else in Florida
- Training that Meets or Exceeds Industry Standards
COURSE OBJECTIVES
This program goes beyond the basics—equipping students with the mindset, tactics, and professionalism required to succeed in high-stakes executive protection environments. Students will learn:
What defines true Executive Protection vs. common misconceptions
The roles, responsibilities, and expectations of a professional bodyguard
How to operate with discretion, effectiveness, and confidence in the field
KEY TRAINING TOPICS
(Full curriculum disclosed only to enrolled ESS Academy students)
Threat Assessment – Identify, analyze, and mitigate potential risks before they escalate
Security Advance Tactics – Conduct site surveys, route planning, and venue recon
Motorcade Operations – Learn safe, strategic vehicle convoy formations and procedures
Walking Formations – Master dynamic protective formations based on environment and team size
Hand-to-Hand Tactics – Train in non-lethal defensive tactics for close protection scenarios
REAL-WORLD, HANDS-ON TRAINING
This is not just a lecture-based class. Students will actively participate in realistic drills and immersive scenarios that simulate the physical and mental demands of the job. Our philosophy is simple: the best way to learn it—is to do it.
CERTIFICATION & OUTCOMES
Graduates will receive a Certificate of Completion that verifies they have successfully met the standards of ESS Academy’s Executive Protection training. More importantly, they will gain a mission-ready mindset and an in-demand skillset that empowers them to launch or enhance a career in the protection industry immediately upon course completion.
**Housing not included in tuition or paid for by the academy. It is the student’s
responsibility to acquire their own housing arrangements.
Course Features
- Lectures 0
- Quizzes 0
- Duration 3 Days
- Skill level All levels
- Language English
- Students 740
- Assessments Yes
Theo Billiris – Founder, ESS Global Corporation & ESS Academy
Executive Protection Specialist | Tactical Instructor | Security Industry Leader
Theo Billiris is the founder of ESS Global Corporation and ESS Academy, two of Florida’s premier organizations for security services and professional protection training. Under his leadership, ESS has become a trusted provider of executive protection, threat assessments, and tactical instruction across the United States and internationally.
A graduate of the University of Florida, Theo has led and managed executive protection details in over 30 countries, providing elite-level security for dignitaries, executives, and high-profile clients around the globe. His hands-on leadership and operational insight have set the foundation for ESS’s reputation in the security industry.
Theo is a graduate of ASI’s Executive Protection Training Program, where he also completed advanced courses in Handgun Retention, Defensive Tactics, and Hand-to-Hand Combat. He is a certified Active Shooter/Killer Threat Instructor through Close Quarters Combat Inc. and has received specialized training in Krav Maga, Israel’s renowned hand-to-hand combat system.
His extensive certifications include:
Florida Class D Security License
Florida Class DI Security Instructor License
Florida Class G Armed Security License
Florida Class W Concealed Weapons License
ASP Baton & Handcuff Certified
TASER Certified
OC (Mace) Spray Certified
NRA Basic Pistol Certified
CPR & First Aid Certified (EMS Safety)
As an educator and mentor, Theo is deeply committed to training the next generation of protection professionals through ESS Academy. His vision is to provide real-world, experience-driven instruction that equips students with the skills, confidence, and mindset to operate at the highest levels of the industry.
With a reputation for excellence, leadership, and integrity, Theo Billiris continues to influence and elevate the standards of the executive protection and security profession.