Special Operations to Private Security Consulting: Insights for Businesses and Nonprofits

The journey from Special Forces, or the Special Operations community more broadly, to private security consulting offers a distinctive approach to addressing complex security challenges.  This unique blend of experience shapes a security consulting perspective that combines ground-level expertise, conceptual design principles, and strategic thinking.

A Brief Description of the Evolution of Special Operations Forces

Special Operations Forces (SOF) have evolved significantly since the WWII-era Office of Strategic Services (OSS). While television and movies may depict a particular archetype, special operators are not just physically imposing servicemembers who operate at the ground level of warfare (also known as the tactical level) – they also are experts in fields such as coding, construction, communications, and cyber operations, and possess a diverse array of hard and soft skills that enable them to operate across the spectrum of competition. 

Special operators can be found alone in remote villages, living with and training local security forces or resistance movements; they can be found wearing a suit and tie at embassies in major European capitals, interfacing with dignitaries and embassy staff; and as is more traditionally conceived, they can of course be found at the pointy end of military operations in areas of intense conflict.

The Special Forces Advantage in Private Security Consulting

SOF bring several key advantages to the private sector security consulting field.  Army Special Forces, in particular, possess a range of unique skills, undergo especially relevant training and education, and develop highly analogous experience that is beneficial for business and nonprofit clients who require expert security consulting services.  For example:

Special Operators are Force Multipliers

Special Forces are designed to work with and through partners to accomplish organizational objectives.  This multilateral approach requires developing stakeholder buy-in, fostering collaboration over competition, and finding common ground and common interest to work towards a collectively beneficial end-state. 

• Private Sector Security Consulting Application: When it comes to providing security consulting services, a philosophical underpinning that values collaboration over competition is essential.  In most cases, even within small organizations and nonprofits, stakeholders across all levels need to buy into the security program or initiative for it to be as effective as possible.

Special Operators are Versatile

Special Operators function as warriors, diplomats, and trainers/advisors.  A single Special Forces mission can require operators to negotiate with power brokers or political elites for access to specific areas or populations, conduct an offensive operation against threat actors in their area, and train local partners on the basic and advanced skills necessary to accomplish that operation. 

• Private Sector Security Consulting Application: The versatility described above enable the skills and traits that make the best security consultant.  This embedded “entrepreneurship,” or ability to solve complex problems without immediate or binary solutions, provides security consulting clients with an edge over those who work with less outside the box thinkers.

Special Operators Have a Multi-level Perspective

Special Forces operate at the tactical, operational, and strategic levels of competition, aligning micro-operations with broader national strategies.  Even at the level of the Special Forces team, each individual mission requires that team to nest their actions with the country and theater security plans, as well as national defense strategy. 

• Private Sector Security Consulting Application: This multi-level perspective enables special operators to effectively transition into the private sector security consulting space because they can identify problems, and develop viable solutions, across all levels of organizational function.  Additionally, when developing an organization-wide security program, these security consultants will ensure that the entire program is cohesive and integrated at all levels.

Special Operators Possess Cultural Intelligence

Cross-cultural communication is a crucial aspect of Special Forces operations.  Every Army Special Forces soldier must speak a foreign language and undergo extensive training and education on the respective international regions where they operate.  It is an absolute requirement for these special operators to work collaboratively with people from different backgrounds and perspectives toward a mutually beneficial set of goals.

• Private Sector Security Consulting Application: Special operators are highly attuned to the power of organizational culture as it relates to cohesion and effectiveness.  Success is only possible if the organization is cohesive enough to work together.  Moreover, in Special Forces, success is ultimately contingent upon whether or not they can build relationships across cultural divides – an incredibly important feature of effective security consulting in the private sector.  This is highly relevant because businesses, and even nonprofits, measure success in absolute terms.

Special Operators are Adaptable

Special Forces are like “Swiss Army Knives,” knowledgeable on a myriad of topics and adept at leveraging external resources to achieve common objectives.  Operators are experts in establishing physical security policies, designing training programs, setting strategic security priorities, and adept at facilitating relationships that are beneficial for the end client.

• Private Sector Security Consulting Application: Businesses and nonprofit organizations benefit from working with security consultants that have a Special Operations background because of their breadth and depth of knowledge.  When clients are looking to conceptualize, develop, and implement an organization-wide security program, partnering with a former special operator turned security consultant will save them time, money, and intellectual bandwidth because of their wide-ranging knowledge and expertise.

Leveraging Special Operations Expertise for Unparalleled Security Consulting

The transition from Special Operations to private security consulting brings a wealth of invaluable experience and unique perspectives to the corporate and nonprofit worlds.  The skills developed in Special Operations – adaptability, cultural intelligence, strategic thinking, and the ability to be a force multiplier – directly translate into effective security consulting solutions for businesses and organizations.

For companies seeking to enhance their security posture, partnering with consultants who have a background in Special Operations can provide a significant advantage.  These professionals bring not only technical expertise but also a holistic approach to security that considers all aspects of an organization’s mission, operations, culture, values, people, infrastructure, and geographic location.

Based in Pittsburgh, Convoy Group stands out as a prime example of how Special Operations experience can be leveraged in the private sector.  With a team led by former special operators, and comprised of intelligence community and law enforcement professionals, we offer clients access to unparalleled expertise in security consulting services.  Much like the SOF Truths, our approach is rooted in our values – transparency, teamwork, and flexibility, which reflect the best practices learned from years of Special Operations and private security experience, ensuring that clients receive tailored, effective, and comprehensive security solutions, no matter how complex the problem.