China Female Bodyguards Train Brutally
Tianjiao Special Guard Consultant Ltd., a Chinese security company, started their brutal training regimen for their future female bodyguards on Sunday.
The twenty women who were accepted into the tough four-week program met on a beach in Sanya, Hainan province. Once there, though, they hardly swam - instead they were nearly drowned, kicked, and told to do rigorous exercises to test their physical prowess.
Those that survive the harsh month-long training will be entered into a longer, 10-month program, wherein they would learn a variety of skills to effectively guard their clients. Anti-terrorism training, martial arts skills, reconnaissance and business etiquette must all be developed in order for the ladies to become bodyguards.
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The 20 women all have an education of some sort, with many of them graduating from college. Being a bodyguard presents a different economic opportunity, however.
Instead of making the average annual salary in China of about $1,500, these women can make far more. Some bodyguards get paid up to $100 a day to protect their rich clientele.
One female bodyguard, Xiao Mei (not her real name) was auctioned off last year for $27,326 because of her ex-military background, according to the Global News.
Zhao Xiaokai, the general manager of the auction, wasn't surprised at the steep price tag for Xiao Mei's skill set.
"The auction for talents is a market with huge potential," he told the Global Times in 2011.
In comparison, male bodyguards make less money than females do in the profession, mainly because of their inability to adapt unassuming roles. Where burly men would attract unnecessary attention, women can masquerade as nannies, secretaries, and assistants to patrons, all while being highly dangerous.
The recent economic growth in China has also led to an increase in wealthy businesswomen, who could prefer female bodyguards to males so the relationship isn't questioned.
