How to Get a Private Security Contractor Job Without Military Experience: Part 2

To get a private security contractor job without military experience, relocate to Washington D.C., get armed security work at government facilities, obtain a Secret clearance through employer sponsorship, and build 2 years of experience. D.C. is essential because defense contractors there actively sponsor clearances due to high turnover, solving the chicken-and-egg problem that blocks people elsewhere. This article covers the step-by-step process.

The Key Strategy: Washington D.C.

Everything starts with relocating to the Washington D.C. metro area. This is non-negotiable for most people. Here's why the geography matters:

• It's the hub for defense contractors and government facilities. The concentration of cleared positions here exceeds anywhere else in the country by a massive margin.
• Armed security positions there frequently require Secret clearances. The demand creates opportunity for newcomers who need sponsorship.
• Contractors actively sponsor clearances due to high turnover. They're accustomed to bringing people through the process rather than only hiring those already cleared.
• You can gain experience and obtain your clearance simultaneously. The chicken-and-egg problem that blocks people elsewhere doesn't exist here.

I know relocating to one of America's most expensive metro areas sounds daunting. It was for me coming from Minnesota. But view it as an investment with clear returns. Two years of sacrifice in D.C. opens decades of international opportunity.

The Seven-Step Process

Step 1: Initial Certifications and Relocation

Before or immediately after arriving in D.C., handle these basics:

• Obtain First Aid and CPR certification. American Heart Association or Red Cross only, other providers aren't universally accepted. Cost is approximately $70, and the certification lasts two years.
• Move to the D.C. metro area. Yes, it's expensive and difficult. Arlington, Alexandria, and parts of Maryland offer slightly lower costs while maintaining access to the job market. Get a roommate; everyone does initially.
• Obtain your state armed security guard license. Virginia, Maryland, or D.C. depending on where you'll work. Budget $300-600 for training, licensing fees, and required equipment.
• Take additional certifications: expandable baton, pepper spray, handcuffing techniques. These are often bundled with guard training but sometimes require separate courses.

Step 2: Secure Clearance Sponsorship

Apply for any security contractor job offering clearance sponsorship. Search Indeed for "security officer secret clearance" plus D.C. area cities, Arlington, Alexandria, Bethesda, Tysons. Look for positions stating "Ability to obtain and maintain a SECRET U.S. Government security clearance." That phrase means they'll sponsor you. Positions requiring "active Secret clearance" won't work yet.

Apply broadly. Cast a wide net. Your first position doesn't need to be perfect, it needs to start your clearance process. You can move to better positions once cleared.

Step 3: Obtain D.C. Special Police Officer Designation

This is the secret weapon that separates serious candidates from the crowd. Complete the 40-hour armed SPO training class and secure your SPO commission through a licensed security company. Cost is $1,000 and up depending on the training provider.

The SPO designation matters enormously. It gives you limited arrest powers within your assigned property, real police authority, not just security guard presence. More importantly, it puts "Special Police Officer" on your resume. Overseas contractors reviewing applications see law enforcement authority rather than basic guard work. The distinction opens doors that otherwise stay closed.

Step 4: Wait for Clearance Processing

Timeline varies between 3 and 9 months depending on backlog and your background complexity. Foreign travel, foreign contacts, financial issues, and other factors affect processing time. Keep working your SPO position during this period. Build experience, maintain clean performance records, and don't do anything stupid that might jeopardize your clearance.

This waiting period tests patience. Use the time productively: improve physical fitness, take online courses, network with colleagues who've made the transition to overseas work.

Step 5: Transition to Cleared SPO Position

Once your Secret clearance activates, immediately seek positions that require active clearance. Your value just increased significantly. Cleared security positions pay better and demonstrate to future employers that you can handle classified environments. The cleared SPO combination is particularly powerful.

Step 6: Complete Online Certifications

While building your two years of experience, accumulate online certifications from Udemy and similar platforms. Target courses covering: security guarding fundamentals, CCTV monitoring and surveillance, international security operations, executive protection basics, active shooter response, and even TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language, useful for cover stories and secondary income). Total cost is typically less than a few hundred dollars for a comprehensive certification portfolio.

These certificates won't substitute for real experience, but they demonstrate initiative, continued learning, and baseline knowledge that overseas recruiters appreciate.

Step 7: Build Your Final Resume

After two years, your resume should include:

• 2+ years armed security contractor experience with specific sites and responsibilities
• D.C. Special Police Officer commission and title
• Federal facility or DoD contractor employment history
• Active Secret security clearance (verified and current)
• Multiple security and emergency response certifications
• Online course certificates demonstrating continued professional development

This package qualifies you for entry-level overseas positions that lead to the lifestyle and compensation I described in Part 1.

Additional Practical Advice

• Join a gym immediately. The stress of relocation, new job pressure, and clearance anxiety is real. Physical training manages stress while preparing you for PT tests required by overseas employers.
• Get a roommate to reduce expenses. D.C. housing costs can consume entry-level security wages entirely. Sharing space is standard practice, not personal failure.
• Prepare physically for PT tests. Running, push-ups, sit-ups, basic military fitness standards. Start training now, not when job offers arrive.
• Obtain firearms training beyond basic requirements: AR-style rifles, 9MM pistols, and if possible, M249 SAW or similar. Overseas positions often require weapons qualifications that exceed domestic security standards.
• Network constantly. The overseas contracting community is smaller than it appears. Reputation matters. Be reliable, professional, and easy to work with.

The Mindset

This is a marathon, not a sprint. Be the turtle. Stick it out when the D.C. grind feels overwhelming, when clearance processing drags on, when you wonder if the sacrifice is worth it. The people who complete this process eventually work the contracts everyone else dreams about, living internationally, earning strong tax-free income, and building careers that offer both adventure and stability.

I made this transition later in life than I should have. Don't wait as long as I did. The path exists; you just have to walk it.

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