Book of Lessons Learned Project
“No Kidding, There I Was”
The Real-Life Stories of Executive Protection Professionals
As part of our ongoing commitment to giving back to the Executive Protection Community, we are excited to announce a new project: compiling a book of real-world stories and experiences shared directly by EP professionals.
Every practitioner has those unforgettable moments that start with, "No Kidding, There I Was*..." Beyond being entertaining, these hard-earned stories carry valuable lessons that simply can’t be taught in a classroom, they can only be learned firsthand by doing the job.
*Note: Book title and cover art shown are conceptual and subject to change.
Purpose
The purpose of this project is to develop a book of stories based on personal experiences and situations that cannot be taught in a training environment. These stories can be a humorous situation, emergency situation, procedural situation or any other situation you found to be unique.
The Goal
The goal of this project is to provide other executive protection professionals insight into situations they can learn from, situations that are not typical events yet have been encountered in the field.
Stories included in the finished book reflect the personal experience and opinion of their individual submitters. BEPP does not independently verify or vet the accuracy of any story, and no story constitutes official BEPP guidance, standards, or training material. Readers who apply any technique or lesson described in the book do so at their own risk and professional judgment.
Guidelines, Terms and Conditions
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Do not use name(s) of any other individual(s) in this story without that individual's express written consent. This includes any other information or combination of details from which another individual could reasonably be identified, not only their name.
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Do not include any personally identifiable information, operational security information, classified information, security procedures or protocols, confidential or specific client information.
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Submissions must not contain defamatory or libelous content.
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Submissions must not be intended, or reasonably perceived, as an endorsement or promotion of any individual, business, product, or service; any such content will not be accepted.
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All stories must be first-hand accounts. Stories based on third-party accounts will not be accepted.
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Provide a title to your story.
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Provide as much detail as possible so the reader understands the environment, the situation, and how it was handled or resolved.
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Provide lessons you learned and that you would pass on to the readers.
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Multiple submissions are welcome, but each unrelated story must be submitted on its own separate form.
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Review your submission for spelling and grammatical errors prior to submitting.
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Story submissions must be received by November 20, 2026
Accuracy and Truthfulness of Submissions: The Board of Executive Protection Professionals (BEPP) relies entirely upon the accuracy, honesty, and truthfulness of the information, statements, and narratives provided by the submitter.
By submitting a story, the submitter expressly warrants and represents that all details, accounts, and representations provided are factual, truthful, and based on firsthand knowledge. BEPP assumes no duty to independently verify or audit the truthfulness of submitted content and disclaims all liability arising from reliance on inaccurate or fraudulent information provided by the submitter.
Submission Information Form
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Name (provide your name only if you want it associated with your story. Stories will be listed as anonymous if no name is provided)
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Date of story (approximate is fine, month, year, or both)
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Location in which your story takes place (general area, not specific)
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How would you describe your story - Humorous, Error, Procedural, Emergency, Other
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Did your story occur in the Public or Private Sector?
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If you could put your situation into one of the EP Domains of Knowledge which would it fit into?
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Domain I EP Fundamentals
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Domain II Intelligence
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Domain III Information Security
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Domain IV Planning
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Domain V Operations
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Domain VI Legal
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Domain, VII Business Administration
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Domain VIII EP Leadership
Submission Information Form
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Name (provide your name only if you want it associated with your story. Stories will be listed as anonymous if no name is provided)
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Date of story (approximate is fine, month, year, or both)
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Location in which your story takes place (general area, not specific)
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How would you describe your story - Humorous, Error, Procedural, Emergency, Other
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Did your story occur in the Public or Private Sector?
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If you could put your situation into one of the EP Domains of Knowledge which would it fit into?
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Domain I EP Fundamentals
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Domain II Intelligence
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Domain III Information Security
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Domain IV Planning
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Domain V Operations
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Domain VI Legal
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Domain, VII Business Administration
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Domain VIII EP Leadership
Submission Instructions
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Download and complete the submission form: Executive Protection Story Submission Form
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For a point of reference you can download a submission example: Executive Protection Story Submission Example)
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If you have supporting materials you would like considered, such as photographs, that do not compromise operational security, client confidentiality, personally identifiable information, or the identity of any third party, you may include them as separate attachments to your email.
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Please review your submission for spelling and grammatical errors prior to submitting.
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Once you have completed this form and written your story, please submit it, along with the signed acknowledgement page, to projects@ep-board.org. Word or PDF formats of completed forms and all pages will be accepted.
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Please use the subject line "EP Story Submission" so your submission can be properly logged and routed for review.
If you have questions about the submission process, this form, or the status of a story you have already submitted, you may direct them to the same email address, projects@ep-board.org.
Everyone whose submission is selected for inclusion in the book will receive a complimentary printed copy of “No Kidding, There I Was” The Real-Life Stories of Executive Protection Professionals if and when the book is released.
Release, Waiver, and Acknowledgment
Submissions grant the BEPP a non-exclusive, worldwide, royalty-free license to edit, reproduce, publish, and distribute your story, in whole or in part, in the book titled "No Kidding, There I Was" and in related print, digital, audio, or promotional formats, and I understand BEPP may edit my submission for length, clarity, grammar, or to further protect operational security or the identities of third parties.
All submissions are voluntary and that you will not receive monetary compensation for its use unless a separate written agreement is signed by both parties.
The Board of Executive Protection Professionals (BEPP) collects these stories directly from the individuals who experienced them. BEPP does not, and cannot, independently verify the facts, dates, locations, or outcomes described in any submission.
The BEPP maintains the right to exclude submissions for any reason.
Additional information is provided on the Executive Protection Story Submission Form.