Secret Service hand position technique

johnelmore · November 26, 2016, 06:26 PM

Ive noticed that whenever I see the President on television the Secret Service is right behind holding their hands in what looks like a pose. Generally in front, above their waste and tightly to their stomach usually balled up into a fist. Also to note I never see them smile.

Is this some type of technique in order to react quicker hand to hand or is it a technique to draw faster? Im taking that its a position in which they can react quickest. It shaves off milliseconds of time to push, grab or shove the threat away. They probably have their pistol right inside the jacket thus their hands would be closer to it as well and guarding the entry to their jacket so someone cant grab the pistol.

Lets say I perceive or suspect a threat is close. Of course, Im going to distance myself from it as a first step, but also pre position my hands in a ready position and that war face lacking the smile might be helpful too...

Sgt127 · November 26, 2016, 06:31 PM

Quote:

Lets say I perceive or suspect a threat is close. Of course, Im going to distance myself from it as a first step, but also pre position my hands in a ready position and that war face lacking the smile might be helpful too...

I'm guessing that's exactly opposite of what a SS Agent would do.

The hand may be keeping the coat from blowing open exposing guns and stuff. Good starting position for a draw too. Stay consistent.

ChuteTheMall · November 26, 2016, 09:58 PM

I can't remember the last time a secret service agent drew and fired his pistol in defense of a President or other protected person, but it seems we often see them go hands on to rush the protected person to safe cover.

Just as AIWB might be the fastest draw from concealment, the fists well above the belt are an all-purpose ready position.

Obviously the practiced war face is an excellent tool to prevent trouble.

johnelmore · November 26, 2016, 10:36 PM

Lets stay on topic...

Here is exactly what I mean:

http://cdn.inquisitr.com/wp-content/...et-service.jpg

You can see hands at the ready with the face of concern looking about.

Snyper · November 27, 2016, 12:13 AM

He can't stick his hands in his pockets, and it gets tiresome just letting them hang.

That's a fairly comfortable position that allows you to relax your arms.

I think some are reading too much into it.

Maybe he had tacos for lunch, which could explain holding his stomach and the concerned look too.

disseminator · November 27, 2016, 12:50 AM

I thought I read about this being the "ready position" that the SS uses.

See here: https://cryptome.org/info/usss-hands/usss-hands.htm

armedleo · November 27, 2016, 10:46 AM

SS agents are not supposed to be gregarious, nor approachable. They're doing a job and not there to socialize or make friends. They don't want you coming near them or crowding them so they purposely display an unfriendly visage to discourage people from talking to them or distracting them. He's playing the role.

Ton · November 27, 2016, 12:46 PM

Quote:

SS agents are not supposed to be gregarious, nor approachable. They're doing a job and not there to socialize or make friends. They don't want you coming near them or crowding them so they purposely display an unfriendly visage to discourage people from talking to them or distracting them. He's playing the role.

Mostly this. I'm sure most SS agents are perfectly nice people but when they are actively engaged in a critical role (ie protecting the president), they are in a state of extreme hypervigilance and don't want people distracting them. The resting PO'd look acts as a good deterrent.

**Frank Ettin** · November 27, 2016, 01:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by disseminator

I thought I read about this being the "ready position" that the SS uses.

See here: https://cryptome.org/info/usss-hands/usss-hands.htm

Those appear to be some of the best photos. Hands are generally held in front, a bit above waist level, fairly close to the body, and a short distance apart.

Personally, I think the reason is obvious: that's a neutral position from which one can easily move to do whatever might need to be done -- from keeping someone back, to drawing a gun, to opening a door. In other words, it's simply a good "ready" position.

Broadside Bob · November 27, 2016, 08:04 PM

Also, if everyone adopts the same ready/neutral position, it could be a cue to other agents that something's amiss if they see an agent NOT in this pose.

DT Guy · November 27, 2016, 09:51 PM

"Hands unclasped, between your belt and chest" is fairly standard police training for the 'ready, but looking casual' situation that most SS agents are in when not under threat.

Larry

johnwilliamson062 · November 27, 2016, 10:14 PM

The stance is balanced and appears professional.
The SS agents between the president and crowds or in his immediate vicinity do not have a primary responsibility to draw and fire. They are observing those in the immediate vicinity and prepared to physically intercept any attacks.
They also hear the same speeches over and over. I'm sure it is easy to zone out. By keeping the muscles in their arms and hands up they are not relaxed and it is not easy to dose off. Even covering the mouth for a yawn would probably garner international media attention.

**Frank Ettin** · November 27, 2016, 10:44 PM

There have been too many posts in this thread making dumb jokes about indigestion. They have gone away.

Let's have no more such posts.

Lohman446 · November 28, 2016, 08:57 AM

They all stand the same way so that any of their associates looking at them and seeing them standing another way would know something was up.

shafter · November 28, 2016, 09:14 AM

It's a position of readiness. From there they can push, grab, punch, or draw. Would you expect them to casually walk around arms just a dangling?

As for the hard faces that's just a by product of extreme focus and concentration. When you smile you've just relaxed.

doofus47 · November 28, 2016, 11:24 AM

Ton

Quote:

Mostly this. I'm sure most SS agents are perfectly nice people but when they are actively engaged in a critical role

Second this. SS agents are a bit like armored car guards: whenever or wherever you see them out in public, they're not there for the waters.

armedleo · November 28, 2016, 12:46 PM

You also must realize that SS agents are trained in and become experts in body language; both receiving and transmitting.

tipoc · November 30, 2016, 06:15 PM

Quote:

As for the hard faces that's just a by product of extreme focus and concentration.

They don't look pissed off or angry. If they did they would look silly and un-serious. Instead they look focused, alert, attentive and serious. Their hands are in a good position for a number of things as mentioned, including signaling others. You sometimes see them with their hands at their sides as well, when walking for example. You don't see them with their hands in their pocket.

When you see them in action they move quickly to get their bodies in between the official (or who ever it is they are protecting) and the threat and to get the subject safely away from the threat with speed.

Most of what they do is not seen publicly.

When in public with the potus or another head of state they have another function as well. They are not just security. They are the closest thing to a royal guard that the U.S. has. They have to look the part. They have a diplomatic role to play. That's a weapon as well.

tipoc

johnelmore · December 1, 2016, 02:30 PM

A side note about the armored car guards in my geography. They have a routine of drawing their pistol when welcoming a load into the truck. There is one driver in the seat, the gunner guard draws his pistol and then there is the carry guard. So the three man team. There might be 4 like another in the truck. They generally look a bit mean. The guards stance when there is a load is to draw pistols outside of the truck. Sometimes I see them without the pistol drawn and Im guessing that position is when its a minor load. I assume the reason for the gunner guard drawing his pistol is for larger loads. Sometimes I see the gunner guard follow the loader in amd escort the entire way.

A different type of operation than bodyguard work...

**Frank Ettin** · December 1, 2016, 03:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by johnelmore

...A different type of operation than bodyguard work...

Yes, and therefore irrelevant to this discussion.

WC145 · December 2, 2016, 02:20 AM

Look up 'interview stance', it's pretty standard cop stuff. As far as "the look", these guys are focused and on point, concentrating on scanning the crowd, not trying to look friendly or approachable. The Presidential protection detail is only a small part of the USSS's mission, but those agents are the most visible. They are expected to behave accordingly.

Old Bill Dibble · December 4, 2016, 07:18 PM

Yeah that is either Field Interview or Ready Stance or something along those lines depending upon where you went to a LE Academy. There is nothing special about it. It allows quick transition to the other stances and allows him to take protective measures quickly as needed.

Why would he smile? He is not an idiot or there to pick up dates. Want to end up on a watch list? Go over and try to talk to him while he is doing his job.

raimius · December 6, 2016, 12:08 PM

They need to be ready to act, and that is a good stance for further movement.

One can assume there are several layers of security around anyone they protect, and those closest, while armed, are more there to remove the VIP from danger than to shoot the attacker--that's someone else's job, and you probably won't see the guy with the long gun in most media posts.

November 26, 2016, 06:26 PM	#1
johnelmore Senior Member Join Date: April 6, 2013 Posts: 456	Secret Service hand position technique Ive noticed that whenever I see the President on television the Secret Service is right behind holding their hands in what looks like a pose. Generally in front, above their waste and tightly to their stomach usually balled up into a fist. Also to note I never see them smile. Is this some type of technique in order to react quicker hand to hand or is it a technique to draw faster? Im taking that its a position in which they can react quickest. It shaves off milliseconds of time to push, grab or shove the threat away. They probably have their pistol right inside the jacket thus their hands would be closer to it as well and guarding the entry to their jacket so someone cant grab the pistol. Lets say I perceive or suspect a threat is close. Of course, Im going to distance myself from it as a first step, but also pre position my hands in a ready position and that war face lacking the smile might be helpful too...

November 26, 2016, 09:58 PM	#3
ChuteTheMall Senior Member Join Date: October 24, 1999 Location: Sinkholeville Swamp Posts: 228	I can't remember the last time a secret service agent drew and fired his pistol in defense of a President or other protected person, but it seems we often see them go hands on to rush the protected person to safe cover. Just as AIWB might be the fastest draw from concealment, the fists well above the belt are an all-purpose ready position. Obviously the practiced war face is an excellent tool to prevent trouble. __________________ ChuteTheMallGawdSortaMount

November 27, 2016, 12:13 AM	#5
Snyper Senior Member Join Date: December 16, 2013 Location: Eastern NC Posts: 3,047	He can't stick his hands in his pockets, and it gets tiresome just letting them hang. That's a fairly comfortable position that allows you to relax your arms. I think some are reading too much into it. Maybe he had tacos for lunch, which could explain holding his stomach and the concerned look too. __________________ One shot, one kill

November 27, 2016, 09:51 PM	#11
DT Guy Senior Member Join Date: February 4, 2001 Posts: 959	"Hands unclasped, between your belt and chest" is fairly standard police training for the 'ready, but looking casual' situation that most SS agents are in when not under threat. Larry __________________ He who fights and runs away had better run pretty damn fast. Government, Anarchy and Chaos

November 27, 2016, 10:44 PM	#13
Frank Ettin Staff Join Date: November 23, 2005 Location: California - San Francisco Posts: 9,471	There have been too many posts in this thread making dumb jokes about indigestion. They have gone away. Let's have no more such posts. __________________ "It is long been a principle of ours that one is no more armed because he has possession of a firearm than he is a musician because he owns a piano. There is no point in having a gun if you are not capable of using it skillfully." -- Jeff Cooper

November 26, 2016, 10:36 PM	#4
johnelmore Senior Member Join Date: April 6, 2013 Posts: 456	Lets stay on topic... Here is exactly what I mean: http://cdn.inquisitr.com/wp-content/...et-service.jpg You can see hands at the ready with the face of concern looking about.

November 27, 2016, 12:50 AM	#6
disseminator Senior Member Join Date: November 26, 2016 Location: Minnesota Posts: 960	I thought I read about this being the "ready position" that the SS uses. See here: https://cryptome.org/info/usss-hands/usss-hands.htm

November 27, 2016, 10:46 AM	#7
armedleo Senior Member Join Date: July 5, 2015 Posts: 265	SS agents are not supposed to be gregarious, nor approachable. They're doing a job and not there to socialize or make friends. They don't want you coming near them or crowding them so they purposely display an unfriendly visage to discourage people from talking to them or distracting them. He's playing the role.

November 27, 2016, 08:04 PM	#10
Broadside Bob Member Join Date: October 4, 2005 Posts: 42	Also, if everyone adopts the same ready/neutral position, it could be a cue to other agents that something's amiss if they see an agent NOT in this pose.

November 27, 2016, 10:14 PM	#12
johnwilliamson062 Junior member Join Date: May 16, 2008 Posts: 9,995	The stance is balanced and appears professional. The SS agents between the president and crowds or in his immediate vicinity do not have a primary responsibility to draw and fire. They are observing those in the immediate vicinity and prepared to physically intercept any attacks. They also hear the same speeches over and over. I'm sure it is easy to zone out. By keeping the muscles in their arms and hands up they are not relaxed and it is not easy to dose off. Even covering the mouth for a yawn would probably garner international media attention.

November 28, 2016, 08:57 AM	#14
Lohman446 Senior Member Join Date: April 22, 2016 Posts: 2,192	They all stand the same way so that any of their associates looking at them and seeing them standing another way would know something was up.

November 28, 2016, 09:14 AM	#15
shafter Senior Member Join Date: December 23, 2009 Posts: 1,624	It's a position of readiness. From there they can push, grab, punch, or draw. Would you expect them to casually walk around arms just a dangling? As for the hard faces that's just a by product of extreme focus and concentration. When you smile you've just relaxed.

November 28, 2016, 12:46 PM	#17
armedleo Senior Member Join Date: July 5, 2015 Posts: 265	You also must realize that SS agents are trained in and become experts in body language; both receiving and transmitting.

December 1, 2016, 02:30 PM	#19
johnelmore Senior Member Join Date: April 6, 2013 Posts: 456	A side note about the armored car guards in my geography. They have a routine of drawing their pistol when welcoming a load into the truck. There is one driver in the seat, the gunner guard draws his pistol and then there is the carry guard. So the three man team. There might be 4 like another in the truck. They generally look a bit mean. The guards stance when there is a load is to draw pistols outside of the truck. Sometimes I see them without the pistol drawn and Im guessing that position is when its a minor load. I assume the reason for the gunner guard drawing his pistol is for larger loads. Sometimes I see the gunner guard follow the loader in amd escort the entire way. A different type of operation than bodyguard work...

December 2, 2016, 02:20 AM	#21
WC145 Senior Member Join Date: October 18, 2008 Location: Downeast Maine Posts: 1,836	Look up 'interview stance', it's pretty standard cop stuff. As far as "the look", these guys are focused and on point, concentrating on scanning the crowd, not trying to look friendly or approachable. The Presidential protection detail is only a small part of the USSS's mission, but those agents are the most visible. They are expected to behave accordingly. __________________ "If violent crime is to be curbed, it is only the intended victim who can do it. The felon does not fear the police, and he fears neither judge or jury. Therefore what he must be taught to fear is his victim." - LtCol Jeff Cooper

December 4, 2016, 07:18 PM	#22
Old Bill Dibble Senior Member Join Date: July 25, 2016 Posts: 802	Yeah that is either Field Interview or Ready Stance or something along those lines depending upon where you went to a LE Academy. There is nothing special about it. It allows quick transition to the other stances and allows him to take protective measures quickly as needed. Why would he smile? He is not an idiot or there to pick up dates. Want to end up on a watch list? Go over and try to talk to him while he is doing his job. __________________ "Tragedy has been and will always be with us. Somewhere right now, evil people are planning evil things. All of us will do everything meaningful, everything we can do to prevent it, but each horrible act can’t become an axe for opportunists to cleave the very Bill of Rights that binds us."

December 6, 2016, 12:08 PM	#23
raimius Senior Member Join Date: January 27, 2008 Posts: 2,199	They need to be ready to act, and that is a good stance for further movement. One can assume there are several layers of security around anyone they protect, and those closest, while armed, are more there to remove the VIP from danger than to shoot the attacker--that's someone else's job, and you probably won't see the guy with the long gun in most media posts.