Peculiarities of personal drivers and drivers-safeguards training

Experts know that in the USSR times the legendary Seventh and Ninth KGB Departments provided the highest level of operation drivers training. Both departments had their own training schools, as well as mechanical and technical facilities. Both schools were working simultaneously, and each of them had its own style and peculiarities. Differences between the two schools accounted for their tasks, type of service, experience and views of those who were responsible for the preparation of managers.

The agents at the Seventh department of KGB had to keep secrecy. That fact influenced both the outer look of cars and driver training. Driving a car without special coloration, sound and light alarm; intensive maneuvering in the traffic flow at the highest speed; the ability to take the only viable decision quickly; the ability to deviate skillfully from the traffic rules; detect a chase and throw it off -the agents were taught all these skills in the course of training.

The agents of the Ninth department provided security for high-ranking officials and, besides driving proficiency, were able to move in a column, motorcade, and organized group. The duty to interact with high-ranking officials required knowledge of psychology and etiquette. The agents of both departments knew how to use government-issue weapon, while driving as well.

After the USSR collapsed, large part of knowledge and experience was lost. Nowadays every FSB office provides its own driver training. There is a lack of competent experts and sound competition among training methodologies in the professional community. Moreover, such drivers are needed not only at state institutions but also at private companies. Given high level of criminal activity in the country, nowadays differences between the notions of personal driver, driver-safeguard, and operation driver have become subtle.

The uniqueness of the personal drivers and drivers-bodyguards training course at the Shturman Center lies in synthesis of the two driver training schools of the Seventh and Ninth KGB Departments. The course absorbed the best practices accumulated over the KGB golden years.

The author is an instructor and consultant at the Shturman Center. Over 1975-1989 - manager of special driver training at the Special Purpose Garage, a Federal Guard Service department (the former Ninth department of KGB)

Director,
Putyato Andrey:
"Center "Shturman" approach puts the personal driver and the driver-safeguard higher than the autosportsman and takes a different look at the quality of their training."
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