---
Pearls before Swine Series
Bug Sweep Wisdom
February 2009.2 Version
By James M. Atkinson, the "Sun Tzu of Bug Sweeps"
A brave man dies but once, but a coward dies a thousand deaths.
It is always better to die on your feet, then to live on your knees
Always dance like nobody is watching.
Do not go gently into that dark night
Do not bring a knife to a gun fight
Forgive your enemies, forget not their names.
A closed mouth attracts no foot.
Never interrupt your enemy when he is making a mistake.
Good judgment comes from experience, and experience comes from bad judgment=
.
Some friends will help you move, but real friends will help you move bodies=
.
A brave and honest man will still stand up to do=20
the right thing, and will lift his voice and=20
speak the truth when it is appropriate to do so.=20
A coward will sit in the back of the room and keep his mouth shut.
The racking of a shotgun speaks loudly in any languages, and any culture.
"Sie vie pacem, para bellum" (if you want peace, first prepare for
war)
When you are traveling always check into your=20
hotel at least one hour before sunset (or 6 PM=20
whichever is first), and always call ahead for=20
reservations. Otherwise, you will end up paying=20
too much for your room, you will get a bad room, or you may get no room at =
all.
Assume that hotels will always screw up your=20
reservations, so always have a backup plan for an=20
alternate hotel, and then an alternate for your=20
alternate. Do not forget to cancel the backup=20
reservations that you do not use once you have checked in to you room.
When everything is coming your way, you are in the wrong lane.
If you actually think, you can drive your car=20
after a few drinks (or any quantity of alcohol)=20
you should consider driving a powerful motorcycle=20
instead, should not wear a helmet, and should=20
sign an organ donor card as soon as possible.
The most importance thing in your house is the=20
mattress, linens, and blankets on your bed. Not=20
the sofa, not the big screen TV, not the stereo.=20
Keep your priorities straight, and invest in a=20
good nights sleep and buy a good bed.
If you stay in a hotel try to stay with better=20
large chains of business hotels, but take care=20
not to stay at conference hotels as the rooms=20
will be at least 4 times more expensive then a business hotel.
When you are performing a sweep try to stay at a=20
hotel that is ten miles or more away from the=20
site, twenty to thirty miles away is often the=20
best option. While the driving to and from the=20
site may be a bit of a hassle it will give you=20
time to detect and then throw off any=20
surveillance that may be on you. The 30-45 minute=20
commute will also give you emotional distance=20
from the site. This will give the caffeine time=20
to fully to kick in, and will give you more hotel=20
options. This will also give you an inventory of=20
hotels within your coverage zone so that you tend=20
to use them as a remote base of operation that=20
are each spaced 50-60 miles apart. A list of=20
12-15 regular hotels will be sufficient for you=20
to cover a radius of 200 miles of work space (or=20
at least 20-25 million people).
When you travel you should bring your own sheets,=20
and get the kind that are "bug and vermin proof"=20
and hypo-bacterial. This also applies to your=20
pillow case covers, your own blankets, and your own quilt.
In a hotel room the nastiest, most disease-laden=20
items are the TV remote control, the telephone,=20
and the bed spread. Lysol is available in small=20
cans for just this sort of thing, but you should consider bringing your own=
.
Never eat out of, nor drink out of the mini-bar=20
in a hotel room and avoid the vending machines.=20
Use room service instead, or better yet go visit=20
a local grocery store after you check in and buy=20
$20 worth of groceries, beverages, and snacks.
The difference between the word Cop and Con is=20
one letter. Trust is hard to gain, and very easy=20
to loose, never forget this fact.
Never stay at a hotel that does not have room=20
service available 24 hours a day, but only use it=20
on rare occasions. Breakfast is always the best room service meal, not dinn=
er.
Room service is always best before 9 PM, so order=20
your dinner early. If you eat in the restaurant,=20
be sure to have reservations, and try to be=20
seated at or before 7 PM for the best food.
A good restaurant will always require a gentleman=20
to wear a jacket for the evening seating, but a=20
truly good restaurant will loan him a properly=20
sized jacket should he not be wearing one.
At a proper establishment, no member of your=20
group sees you pay the check as it is never=20
presented at the table, or if the check is=20
presented at the table, nobody notices that you have covertly paid it.
Always have a few good friends with whom you can=20
share your thoughts, fears, wants, goals,=20
desires, and disappointments, and whom will=20
always give you honest criticism and advice.
You will never have more then five really close=20
friends in your entire life, and consider=20
yourself to be blessed if you have only three.
A good friend will always tell you when you are=20
being a too much of a geek or acting like a horses ass.
"You have to learn the rules of the game. And=20
then you have to play better than anyone else." - Albert Einstein
Good service is always well tipped, but bad=20
service is also tipped along with a very discrete complaint to the manageme=
nt.
A gentleman tips for the service which he expects=20
to receive next time at the establishment, not=20
for the service he just experienced. Learn what=20
this means, and why tip money should always flow=20
freely to the appropriate people, but withheld=20
from others (ie: one does not tip the owner of a hotel, or the desk clerk).
Nobody should ever see you tip, and the recipient=20
of the gratuity should not know that a gratuity=20
is being covertly passed to them until they feel it in their hand.
The most powerful words in business are those of=20
"Please" and "Thank You", and you should use them often.
Do not spend or obligate money that you have not=20
yet made, nor spend a check that has not yet=20
fully cleared the bank. It is alright to make=20
plans to spend money that has not yet arrived,=20
but never make business promises for money that is not yet actually in hand=
.
Credit cards should not be used to finance your=20
sweep or any other business operations. Instead=20
use them to obtain hotels rooms, airfare, and=20
rental cars. Credit cards are not to be used to=20
purchase sweep gear or for anything where you=20
have advanced notice of several weeks.
If you live on plastic you can die very quickly.
You should always have sweep work pending, sweep=20
work that is pre-paid and on the schedule, sweep=20
work that is in process, sweep work that you have=20
just completed but are awaiting payment, and then=20
follow-on or continuing sweep work or projects.
Big sweeps are the big bricks that hold up the=20
wall, but small sweeps are the mortar and cement=20
that holds the bigger bricks (or sweeps)=20
together. A wall that is made of either all=20
bricks or all mortar will be weak and will=20
quickly collapse in bad times. Without small=20
sweeps you will starve, and without the large sweeps you will not grow.
Even in good times, always except the small sweep jobs.
Pay for new equipment and training out of the=20
revenues of larger sweeps, but never from the small sweeps.
Take time to think in the middle of doing. A few=20
minutes of thinking can save hours of doing.=20
Doing without thinking is dangerous; thinking=20
without doing is misguided. Sometimes we must do and think at the same time=
.
"It is not death that a man should fear, but he=20
should fear never beginning to live."
- Marcus Aelius Aurelius
Make sure that you control your sweep equipment,=20
and that it does not control you. Meditate on=20
this for a while, for it is one of the great secrets of the TSCM business.
Keep your sweep equipment in good repair, and=20
operational at all times. A few minutes of=20
checking out your equipment the night before you=20
start a sweep can prevent six hours of utter on-site chaos, or a missed bug=
.
Check the batteries in your sweep gear before you=20
start the sweep and then again before you put the=20
equipment away at the end of the sweep to minimize any unpleasant surprises
Many TSCM specialist have missed bugs because the=20
batteries in their own equipment were either weak or completely dead.
No piece of sweep equipment can replace a=20
flashlight, a proper ladder, and the eyes of a=20
TSCM specialist. This is also one of the great=20
secrets of how to perform a proper bug sweep.
When in doubt always wear long sleeved button=20
down oxford shirts, a crew neck T-shirt, and a=20
tie. But, always pack a couple of polo shirts so=20
that you can match your client's dress code.
Metallic watch bands, rings, cuff links, tie=20
tacks, ear rings, nose rings, eyebrow piercings,=20
or other conductors have no business being worn by a sweep person.
When in doubt wear a dark suit, a white, long=20
sleeved, button down oxford shirt, and a muted=20
tie. Shoes and socks should always be black leather, as should the belt.
If you have a tattoo, keep it fully covered up=20
and concealed while on a sweep. Nobody really=20
cares what kind of motorcycle you drive, the name=20
of your first love, or your relationship for your=20
mother. It is alright for you to have body art, just keep it concealed.
Attention, both genders=85 please wear a clean=20
white crew neck undershirt with sleeves under=20
your button down oxford dress shirt when working.
Please shower once in the evening and once in the=20
morning, and apply anti-perspirant, and use only=20
the slightest hint of cologne.
Fresh underclothes every morning is also a real=20
winner, and is something that many people do not=20
pay attention to much to the annoyance and disgust of their customer.
Fresh socks every morning is also a must, and=20
bring at least two sets of shoes so that you can rotate them on alternate d=
ays.
Brush your teeth three times a day, always use=20
mouthwash in the morning and after every meal.
Carry a tin of breath mints on you are all times.
Know when to wear a suit, and when to wear jeans=20
and a flannel shirt on a sweep.
Always carry a pocket sized notebook, a small=20
ruler, and two ball point pens or pencils on a=20
sweep. Learn to take copious notes, and always=20
write down the date and time of each note.
A clear conscience is usually the sign of a bad memory.
Learn how to use a ball point pen or key ring as=20
an edged weapon, and learn when to use it to save your life.
Do not cheat at golf, ever; it is the game of the=20
honor of a true gentleman. Be truthful on your=20
handicap, tip your caddy well, and never carry=20
your own bags. Other players will always remember=20
your cheats and mulligans, and will expect the=20
same from you in business and thus never trust=20
you. Golf is all about business and honor, learn=20
to play it, you will learn much. Meditate on this=20
until you understand why this is so important.
Learn to play chess well, and to moderate your=20
play to match your opponents skill level. It is=20
more about having a pleasant two way play, and=20
less about winning in seven moves or less. Be=20
able to both play chess and to teach chess. The=20
best way to learn chess is to teach it to a=20
child, and to never win more then 50% of your=20
matches. Sometimes it is about controlling=20
yourself, and reigning in your capabilities, and=20
less about winning. Learn why this is important in business.
Learn to play blackjack and poker well, to the=20
point that you are not welcome in certain=20
casinos. Learn why this is important to TSCM and=20
Intelligence activities in general.
A wise person stays away from casinos except for=20
the occasional free buffet or to play the quarter slots on a rare occasion.
If you are highly skilled in mathematics you may=20
successfully play casino blackjack on your own,=20
but never as a team effort. Blackjack is a game=20
of pure mathematics, and is the only game in a=20
casino where you have even the slightest chance=20
of leaving with more money then you came with.=20
For this reason, casinos do not like blackjack=20
players, or they manipulate the games to put the=20
odds strongly in the houses favor. Scientists,=20
engineers, and physicians tend to be very good=20
with blackjack, but bad at poker.
Poker in all its forms and variants is the game=20
of the true sociopath, and it is all about=20
reading and manipulating people. You can only=20
play it well if you understand both yourself, and=20
other people. Politicians and salesmen tend to be=20
very good at poker, but very bad at blackjack.
If someone is good at playing both blackjack and=20
poker, they should be considered very dangerous=20
at anything they do, and to be the consummate=20
predator. Many spies, soldiers, and military=20
leaders can do this, and they make the most exquisite cold blooded spy hunt=
ers.
If you work for someone for a living do not try=20
to delude yourself into thinking your little=20
moonlighting TSCM jobs means that you are self=20
employed. Instead you have nothing more then a=20
hobby with benefits. You are only self-employed=20
when you earn 100% of your income from the work=20
of your own hands, and you answer to nobody but your clients.
Never conceal from your customers that you are=20
moonlighting, because someday your customer will=20
tell your employer about the projects you have=20
been doing for them so that he can make a=20
referral for your services. While your customer=20
has good intentions in doing this your boss is=20
never going to trust you again, and you may or=20
may not find yourself unemployed and not understand why.
If you are moonlighting, be sure your customer=20
knows where you work, and who your boss is to avoid such ugliness.
If you are moonlighting, make sure that your=20
daytime employer knows about your=20
hobby-with-benefits, and that both your boss and=20
your supervisor know what you do outside of=20
company time. Do not use your employer's=20
equipment or use your employer's time or other=20
resources in support of your moonlighting unless=20
you have express written permission to do so, and=20
update this written permission once a year.
If you are moonlighting, and using your employers=20
equipment or any resource of your employer=20
without express permission then you are stealing from them.
Stealing is stealing, and there is no gray area=20
is matters such as this, never forget this.
To learn a subject, try to teach it to someone else.
Become highly proficient with small arms, but=20
pray that you never need to use them except as a last resort.
Always be discrete about small arms, and make=20
every effort to ensure that nobody knows that you are packing.
A hit with a .22 LR is better then a miss with a .44 magnum.
Never draw a sidearm in anger, and never for=20
anything other then immediate self defense.
Only a fool fires warning shots or brandishes=20
sidearm in an attempt to scare away trouble.
Carry it in a proper holster, and not your waistband.
New ways are not always better, neither are the=20
old ways. Learn why this is not always true, and=20
learn when to stay on course, and when to change your path.
There is no better discipline for a TSCM=20
specialist than to build a structure, a house,=20
office building, or a barn. The same hold true=20
for designing and installing computer networks,=20
phone systems, and data systems. This is one of=20
the great secrets of learning about TSCM and bug=20
sweeps, for if you know nothing about=20
construction you have no reason to be in the business.
All TSCM specialists must have some level of=20
knowledge and hands-on training and experience=20
with locksmithing and alarms systems, not so that=20
they can actually install and repair locks and=20
alarms for a living, but so that they can detect=20
poorly installed, manipulated, or weak locks and alarms.
If a TSCM specialist is a master locksmith and an=20
expert with alarm systems they can make a=20
significant income doing these things when they are not doing sweeps.
Learn to write computer programs from scratch in=20
C or C++ and develop your own TSCM software that=20
you use on your own sweeps and which you never=20
sell outside of your own operation.
At least once in your life delivery a baby into=20
the world, and then afterwards examine your life thus far.
The ability to wash your own windshield, fill=20
your own gas tank, and change the engine oil in=20
your car does not mean that you are an auto=20
mechanic. A true mechanic can rebuild an engine=20
by himself, and can strip the vehicle down to the=20
raw chassis rails and rebuilt it better that the=20
factory. Ditto with sweep equipment and a real=20
TSCM specialists, you are poser and a faker=20
unless you can Frankenstein your own equipment.
Facing a problem and fixing it is easier than complaining about it.
"Our games don't end in ties" - anonymous
Real men drink beer out of bottle or chilled=20
glass, not out of a can. They also know when to=20
stop drinking, and know not to drive after any drinking.
Root beer, ginger soda, orange soda, and cr=E8me=20
soda are all to be consumed from a chilled bottle=20
or glass, and in the same fashion as any other bottled beverage.
Only a fool makes light of someone who prefers to=20
be a moderate drinker, or someone who prefers to=20
avoid alcohol outright. A good host will always=20
ensure that non-alcoholic beverages are always=20
discretely available to all guests, along with=20
coffee, teas, and other non-intoxicating drinks.
Being out on a sweep, doesn't not mean that you=20
are on vacation, and that you are free to pickle=20
your liver and party until 2 AM.
Strippers, hookers, massage parlors, porn,=20
recreational drugs, alcohol, and other such=20
immature foolishness have no place when you are=20
on business trips. For that matter, these things=20
should have little or no place in your personal life either.
If you are bored at the end of the day while on a=20
sweep, and have trouble getting to sleep, then you are not working hard eno=
ugh.
When you are on a sweep, be sure to eat an early=20
dinner so that there is at least 3 hours between=20
your main course being eaten and you going to bed.
At the end of each day, before going to bed write=20
yourself a memo where you summarize the previous=20
days work, and what you plan to accomplish during=20
the next day. This is called making a plan, and=20
it is something that few people ever do.
The best cure for insomnia while in a hotel room=20
after a full day of sweeps is work on your report.
Be sure that you are getting a solid 8 hours of=20
actual restful sleep each night, and eat a really=20
good breakfast before you head out to the job site.
Never forget that you are the most important=20
piece of sweep gear in your inventory, and that=20
you always need a full night sleep, and at least=20
two good meals each day to be most effective.
Try not to be on a job site or in transit for=20
more then 12 hours in any given 24 hour=20
period. Longer hours may occasionally be needed,=20
but your plan should be to work 8-10 hours per=20
day, but have the capability to extend this to=20
16-18 hours when there is no other option.
Sweep people do not take lunch breaks that=20
involve more then 5-10 minutes so that they can=20
grab a can of soup or sandwich and then to get=20
back to work. If you want a one hour lunch then=20
become a construction worker or banker.
The television at the hotel can cost you a=20
fortune in lost time and productivity. When on a=20
sweep limit yourself to no more then 30-60=20
minutes of news, and no more then two hours for a=20
movie or your favorite shows. All total you=20
should not be watching television or movies for=20
ore then 2-3 hours when on a sweep.
When staying in a hotel never go to bed with the=20
television left on, and never rely on the alarm=20
clock in the hotel to work. Instead bring your=20
own battery powered alarm clock to use as a=20
backup to the one the hotel provides.
Take time each day after the work is done to do=20
nothing. Just to sit quietly by yourself, to=20
think, and to clear your mind. Let your mind go=20
blank, and just let yourself breath. God invented=20
bathtubs, commodes, tree stumps, and comfortable=20
chairs for mediations like this.
Consider everybody to be honest, honorable, and=20
hardworking, until they show you otherwise on at least three occasions.
Always try to generously and anonymously help=20
others, and never expect or ask for anything in return.
The fewer people that you involve in your=20
charitable activities the better. When you are=20
ready to perform charitable acts everybody will=20
want to help you but they will want a little of=20
your charity to stick to them in the form of=20
political favors, publicity, or raw percentages.=20
Do not let the agendas of others contaminate your own.
Try to always do more for others than they do for=20
you=85 but be quiet about it, and keep it private.
When you give to someone to help them out, give=20
until it hurts, and then give some more... this=20
is true sacrifice, and it is something you should do often.
Help feed the hungry, to clothe the naked, help=20
to bury the dead, and comfort the grieving. Help=20
your local community, neighbors, friends, and=20
family first before you waste time and money=20
trying to help someone who you do not know on the other side of the globe.
Remember, half the people you know are below average.
Visit people in nursing homes and hospitals,=20
because someday you may live in one and will be=20
lonely when nobody comes to visit you.
Learn how to suture a wound or injuries of=20
another person, both literally and figuratively.=20
Know how to give a hug and provide a strong=20
shoulder or arm, but also how to throw some 2-0=20
silk or apply a splint, swath, and sling.
Everyone has a photographic memory. Some just don't have film.
Learn CPR and First Aid well, and recertify every=20
six months. Pray you never need to use it, and=20
when you do use it pray that you remember your=20
training. Carry a set of reflective triangles,=20
fire extinguisher, AED, oxygen tank, and a first=20
aid kit on all sweep vehicles, and know how and=20
when to use them as you can relieve much suffering with these item.
Giving a warm blanket, a good coat, new socks and=20
good shoes to someone who needs these things will=20
alleviate much misery in your fellow man.=20
Children often need these things, and well as the=20
homeless, the old, and the infirm. Learn how to=20
obtain and supply these things to others, but how to do so anonymously.
Stay current on all your immunizations, and get a=20
flu shot every Fall, and a pneumonia shot every five to ten years.
Have an annual physical when in good health, and=20
more often if ill. These check-ups should be at=20
least 90 minutes long and should check you out from head to toe.
Always tell the truth to your physician, even if=20
it is an ugly truth, for they always have your=20
best interests at heart. However, there are some=20
truths that should not find their way into your=20
medical records, and which should remembered by=20
the physician and not written down.
Obtain a Commercial Drivers License, and Medical=20
Examiners card, and stay current on all your=20
endorsements. Most sweep vehicles are mandated by=20
federal law as commercial vehicles, so having a=20
CDL, CPR, and Medical Examiners card in your=20
wallet is a real quick way a customer or others=20
to determine if you are for real or not and not just another poser.
Whores pose in front of their equipment=20
collection in a feeble attempt to prove to the=20
world that they actually own more then a $99 bug=20
detector. However, the poor, inexperience sweeper=20
who does this look like a whore on display in a=20
brothel window. Ditto for the TSCM'er who feels=20
that they need to prove that they have=20
such-and-such equipment for sweeps. Both are=20
whores, just of different types, learn why.
Learn what the word poser means.
As the wind blows, so all politicians bend.
The size of the dust cloud tells us little about the traveler.
The drive home or to your hotel from a sweep at 2=20
AM is always longer than the drive at 6 AM you=20
took to get to the sweep location that morning.
Owning a lot of expensive cameras does not make=20
you a photographer, deal with it. It only becomes=20
art when someone can see a soul in the picture.=20
Ditto for sweep gear, fancy equipment, and camera=20
equipment means nothing and are only children's=20
toys unless you own the methods and techniques first.
Do not make a mistake by only using bug sweep=20
equipment make by TSCM companies, but rather use=20
some TSCM gear, some basic electronics test=20
equipment, some communications test equipment,=20
and construction and physical inspections tools=20
and equipment. In fact the majority of your=20
equipment should not be TSCM equipment or you are=20
setting up a situation that will lead to your failure.
If a piece of equipment is important to you, then=20
you need to have at least two of them at all=20
times. This applies to ladders, voltmeters,=20
spectrum analyzers, and TSCM equipment.
Take all measurements three times, and then with=20
at least two different pieces of equipment. If=20
all six measurements do not match, or they are=20
not even close then you need to investigate why.
For every 10,000 amateur photographers there are=20
5 true professional photographers, do not expect=20
this ratio to be different in the sweep profession.
Clients will look at your shoes and tie before your resume.
Bring two full sets of clothes to every sweep=20
project to include extra boxed shirts, and=20
pressed silk ties. Do not be afraid to change=20
your tie and shirt every 3-4 hours while working.=20
Your client should never know that you have=20
brought extra clothes, and they should never=20
suspect that you have changed clothes.
An academic degree or title only belongs on your=20
business card if you are a practicing medical=20
physician, or a professor at a university, or=20
engaged in an activity involved in academic pursuits such as research.
If you went to college for eight years, please=20
feel free not to put it on your business card.=20
Your PhD is only important when you are less then=20
30 years old, after that age your academic=20
degrees are best kept out of sight and your=20
reputation allowed to speak for itself. Learn why=20
this is true, and why this is something that some people never learn.
A D.O., Chiropractor, Naturalist is not a real=20
doctor, and they are more likely to cause you=20
pain and misery when you really need to see a=20
real doctor. Know when it is appropriate to see a=20
real doctor, and when it is all right to seek out alternate medicine.
You cannot work inside a 12-foot ceiling, by=20
standing on a 6 foot ladder. If you do not=20
understand why, then you are in the wrong business.
Know the phone number of the nearest emergency=20
room and 24 hour drug store with full time=20
pharmacy that is nearest to the hotel where you=20
are staying, or the job site where you will be working.
Obtain the direct dial numbers for the Attending=20
Physicians on staff and the Triage nurse and know=20
when to call without going through the switch=20
board at 3 AM. Always ask for a fast track so=20
that you can get in and out within 90 minutes for minor illnesses or injuri=
es.
Learn that a hospital that gets paid by an=20
insurance company will try to keep you in the=20
emergency room for five or more hours. If you are=20
paying cash (on the spot), most emergency rooms=20
can get you in and out in under one or two hours=20
for non-serious visits. Along these lines always=20
make sure you always carry $500 in cash to pay=20
your medical bills on the spot to help get you=20
out of the emergency room faster.
For non-critical injuries or illnesses it may be=20
more timely to drive 20-30 miles away from where=20
you are currently to be seen in an emergency room=20
in a small community instead of the emergency=20
rooms of a major city. Very often the smaller=20
hospitals can get you into an ER bed right away,=20
and can get you discharged in under two hours.
The fastest way to get a bed in an emergency room=20
is to arrive by ambulance, but if you do arrive=20
by ambulance you can expect to stay for at least=20
a solid 4-6 hours. If you have a serious injury=20
you can plan to stay in the emergency room for 12=20
hours or more. If you are seriously ill this=20
extra time is to observe you and ensure that you are stable enough to go ho=
me.
If you only need an antibiotic, a muscle=20
relaxant, or a half dozen stitches to close an=20
open wound there is no reason for the hospital to keep you for 12 hours.
Always be nice to everybody in the emergency=20
room. Just because you have been there for four=20
hours to have a splinter removed from your=20
pinkie, does not mean that you have been=20
forgotten about. Rather it may be that the=20
patient three rooms away may be about to die and=20
the ER staff has been fighting to save the=20
patients life for the past six hours.
If you are in pain when you arrive in the ER,=20
please request some kind of pain medication=20
within 30 minutes of your arrival so that your=20
time in the ER is a pain free as possible. This=20
will help you from becoming impatient and crabby,=20
and will allow people who are much more injured=20
then you to be tended to first. If you are=20
arriving by ambulance ask the paramedics for=20
something (by IV) to alleviate your suffering.
If you do not like the way that you are treated=20
in the hospital immediately ask to speak to the=20
attending physician, the patient advocate, or the=20
head of nursing. Hospitals really do take=20
complaints seriously, but since so few patient=20
know how to properly complain they very rarely hear about problems.
You can refuse to have a specific medical person=20
not touch you, so if you do not want medical=20
students, or a particular grumpy nurse from=20
touching your you can tell them to go away.
However the "grumpy nurse" is often the best one=20
on staff, and you are just being a really=20
difficult patient. Never loose sight of this, and be nice.
If you get a grumpy nurse or doctor, explain to=20
them that you can understand that they may be=20
having a bad day, and explain that you are having=20
a pretty bad day as well, but you appreciate them helping you.
When in the hospital or emergency room, listen to=20
the advice of your doctor, but only if they have=20
completed their residency and are either a fellow or attending physician.
An M.D. after a persons name just means that the=20
graduated from medical school, not that they have=20
the experience to treat you. An intern is still a=20
medical school student, and a resident is someone=20
who has graduated from medical school, but who=20
lacks the experience to yet be fully trusted by=20
hospital. All should be working under the close=20
supervision of an attending physician.
Always keep in mind that medical school students,=20
interns, and residents are still in training. It=20
is OK for them to talk with you, to examine you,=20
to give you stitches, and perform minor=20
procedures, but you can always request that these=20
people not treat you (and you can wait for hours=20
until the attending has some free time).
Not everybody in a hospital is a doctor or a=20
nurse, and there are many, many "technicians" and=20
aides who actually know little or nothing about=20
medical care and who are barely making minimum=20
wage. You can always ask for an IV nurse or=20
doctor to draw your blood instead of a lab tech,=20
and can ask for a nurse to help you instead of a=20
nurses aid or assistant. Learn how this applies=20
to bug sweeps and TSCM, and why one highly=20
training TSCM person can be better then twelve=20
warm bodies, and why this does not always apply.
You doctors and nurses will not be offended if=20
you ask them to change their gloves or wash their=20
hands or instruments before touching you. In fact=20
most will have already done just this just before entering your room.
Only trust medical advice that comes from a=20
medical doctor who has more then four years of=20
experience out of medical school (not some 20 something wonder kid).
Remember that Nurses are not medical doctors.
Carry an abbreviated medical history on your=20
person at all times, to include all allergies to=20
anything, any medications, drugs, supplements, or=20
herbs you are taking, what current medication=20
conditions you have, or have had. Include all=20
your emergency contact data, and include your=20
insurance data or your credit card numbers. This could save your life.
Always have a will, and have a close friend,=20
spouse, or family member designated as the=20
executor of your estate and who also has power of=20
attorney over your affairs. Also, along these=20
same lines have someone who is reliable and=20
trustworthy designated to act in your behalf=20
should you ever suddenly become disabled or=20
unable to function. Make sure that this person=20
has studied your will, knows its contents, and=20
knows how you want things handled.
When you travel always carry a full a one to two=20
week supply of medications with you in your carry=20
on luggage. Then always keep your carry on=20
luggage with you at all times when you are=20
traveling so that if your hotel room gets robbed=20
you will still have plenty of your of meds=20
available. If you have to consume any medication=20
out of your carry on kit you should refresh it as soon as possible.
If you ever travel overseas purchase a special=20
insurance policy for emergency medical=20
evacuation, and designate in the policy which hospital(s) they can take you=
to.
In the hospital, the best bed is usually the one next to the window.
ICE your phone, your wallet, your passport, and=20
your luggage. Learn what this means.
A degree from a diploma mill or "Distance=20
College" will always make you look like a=20
complete fool, it is just that you may be too=20
obtuse and uneducated to realize it.
Learn what the word "obtuse" means.
If you did not have to stop at DOT scales when=20
you crossed the state lines and maintain drivers=20
logbooks, then you have the wrong kind of sweep vehicle.
It's OK to be a nerd, but never be dork=85 learn the difference between the
two.
The best way to learn is in the Socratatic and=20
Didactic methods, learn why, and learn to master=20
both methods as both a teacher and a student.
When in any classroom; learn to talk to the=20
teacher, ask questions, and actually make an=20
effort to learn something from each other.
Teaching is always a two way group effort, and it=20
requires that the teacher do more then stand in=20
front of the room and spew forth dry materials.
Unless the teacher or instructor can see the=20
light behind the student's eyes, they have no=20
business teaching and should seek other pursuits.=20
Learn what this means, and apply it to both your=20
own educations, the education of your family.
If you are teaching and you can not see that=20
light or see nside the heads of your students=20
then you are wasting everybody's time.
Never confuse a teachers with a babysitter, or a=20
teacher with a salesman. Learn what this means.
As a student you should never just passively sit=20
and say nothing as the teacher will not know if=20
you are absorbing the materials being presented.
Most students never engage the instructors, and=20
most instructors never engage the students. Learn=20
to be both a good student, and an engaging=20
teacher, as you will be in both positions many times in your life.
A good teacher was first a good student.
Teach Sunday school to children, and be amazed to=20
learn of love, grace, and faith from them in its purest form.
A teacher must master the materials before they=20
can teach it, and they must be able to see inside=20
the minds of the students in real-time as they=20
teach to see if what they are teaching is being=20
absorbed by the student or they are not actually=20
teaching but rather just lecturing and wasting everybody's time.
A good TSCM person has mastered his craft to the=20
point that he can explain technical material in=20
simple, non-technical understandable terms to=20
anybody from a six year old child to a multi-billionaire CEO.
White hair and a beard does not indicates=20
experience, just an illusion of such. Learn when this is not always true.
The more honest a man is, the less he has to tell=20
you about it. Along these same lines, the more=20
references or endorsements a person provides to=20
you or the more names they drop the more of a=20
true charlatan you can expect them to be.
All real bug sweeps and TSCM require the use of a=20
ladder. If you do sweeps professionally you need=20
lots of ladders, and vehicles that allow you to=20
transport the ladders inside the vehicle. As you=20
will usually need a six and eight foot folding=20
ladder on all sweeps, and periodically need a=20
twelve foot folding ladder or 20 foot extension=20
ladders. Thus the inside cargo area of your=20
vehicle will need to be at least 12 feet long.
Inspect your ladders before and after any use, as=20
it is quite unpleasant for you to come crashing=20
the ground when the laws of gravity decide to=20
teach you a painful equipment lesson.
The taller the ladder the more likely it is that=20
you could get hurt. While crashing to the ground=20
from the top of a 15 foot ladder is pretty=20
serious, you can also suffer lethal injury by falling off a 4 foot step lad=
der.
There is no place for wooden or metal ladders in=20
our business; fiberglass will keep you from getting killed.
When on a ladder keep a little neon bulb circuit=20
tester in your pocket and touch it to any ceiling=20
track before you touch it. Ditto for any conduit=20
or lighting fixtures you find. This may well save=20
your live, or at a minimum keep you from serious injury.
Keep a little money in the bank, a little in your=20
mattress, but the majority of it in your=20
educations, the tools of your trade, and your=20
business operation. Of these, the time and monies=20
you spend on your own education will result in=20
the greatest return-on-investment, and will=20
result in the strongest long term stability of your finances.
Keep at least six months of personal expense=20
money for food, rent, utilities, etc. in the form=20
of cash in the bank at all times, and another six=20
months stored in a fire-proof safe in your house.=20
Keep this money separate from any business funds,=20
and only use it to personally support yourself in=20
an emergency for at least one year. As time goes=20
on you should built this up to at least three=20
years of monies, do not consider this is be=20
retirement money, but rather only personally=20
emergency or survival money. This is not for=20
medical bills, down payments on houses or=20
vehicles, legal bills, bail money, or even money=20
that you can use for your kids college fund.=20
Rather this is for actual life safety and=20
personal emergencies where you may have to either=20
evacuate, hunker down, put out the fire, buy a=20
generator, clean the guns, stock up the larder, and so on.
Purchase insurance on everything that is=20
important in your life, this should include not=20
only your equipment, vehicles, property, and=20
assets, but also your own health, possible=20
medical disability or yourself, and even the=20
lives of yourself, all close family members, and=20
all sweep people or critical employees who work for you.
Open a retirement fund when you are very young=20
and still in your teens, and add part of your=20
paycheck to it on a regular basis. This must be=20
an ultra-low risk investment, and U.S. Savings=20
Bonds in a safety deposit box are always a real long term winner.
You must have some type of investments that are=20
volatile in nature and risky in order to make=20
significant profits on your investments. But do=20
not stray into this mine-field until after you=20
have both your emergency funds and retirement=20
funds established and well developed.
Do not invest any money in stocks unless you read=20
the Wall Street Journal from cover to cover every=20
single day for at least one year, and understand=20
what forces drive the market. Be prepared to lose=20
every penny you invest in the stock market, and=20
never delude yourself into thinking that any stock is actually safe.
Treat your employees like family, pay them all a=20
good wage, be liberal with all perks and=20
benefits, and give them part of the proceeds of=20
any project they are involved in as a bonus.
Do not wait until the end of the year to give=20
away bonus money, but rather let it flow freely=20
throughout the year as it is earned.
Give all employees feedback on their performance=20
as often as possible, but do so with tact, and in=20
private if there is a problem. All employees=20
should get some kind of feedback from you at=20
least once a week, more often if you can=85 but be sincere.
Employees should respect you, not fear you. Learn when this is not true.
Anybody who will steal for you will steal from=20
you. Never trust them, and discharge them as soon as possible.
Make sure that all of your employees are=20
comfortable financially, emotionally, socially,=20
and physically. Learn why a genuine pat on the=20
back will always get you more in the long run then a kick to the behind.
Never lend money to an employee, if you want to=20
help them out then pay them more, or do something=20
indirect to bail them out, but it may be unwise=20
to give them money directly. When you do assist=20
an employee in this manner nobody else should know about it in your company=
.
Money can actually be toxic is some relationships, learn what this means.
Know your employees problems or weaknesses, and help them overcome them.
Employees works for you for the money. They work=20
for you because you are a good leader, and you=20
give them a pleasant working environment. The=20
money must be secondary, and never be so obtuse=20
as to threaten someone's paycheck over their performance.
Leadership is all about being able to do the job=20
yourself, but inspiring others to follow you and=20
to assist you in getting the job done. At its=20
core, leadership is always about doing it yourself, never forget this fact.
Leadership is all about making clones of=20
yourself, and letting them do your job.
Always praise your employees publically, and only=20
criticize in private. Even then, only criticize=20
very rarely, and do it with compassion and respect.
Learn to sweep your own floors, make your own=20
coffee, and answer your own phone.
There is much wisdom in this, learn why.
Never run up a total amount of credit card debt=20
that you can not pay in full every month.=20
Ideally, you should be able to pay off all=20
plastic debt with your profits for two weeks or less.
If you use a credit card, learn how to make=20
anticipatory payments when you travel or make=20
large purchases. This will annoy your credit card=20
company, learn why. This will also ensure that=20
you are never late on a bill, and why your credit=20
limits will be way higher then anybody else you know.
If your banker is not in your office just to say=20
hello every 90 days or so then you are not=20
dealing with a real banker, or you are not a real customer.
If you ever have any problems with your bank=20
accounts you should expect your banker to visit=20
YOUR office or home at the time that is=20
convenient to you to help resolve the problem,=20
and to apologize for the error and not the other way around.
Learn what "Private Banking" means.
Work within the time the client allowed you to=20
access the premises. Let your client's wants,=20
needs, and access always direct your efforts.=20
But, do not let the client tell you how to do a=20
sweep, but rather let then define the parameters under which you operate.
The client should never have to conform to your=20
needs, but rather the other way around.
If the person who you are dealing with cannot get=20
a retainer check cut, and sent to you within 48=20
hours then you may not want to be dealing with=20
them as they likely lack the authority to engage=20
you in the first place, and you may never see the=20
money that you are due for the sweep.
Sweep payment terms are always half up front=20
(plus anticipated expenses), and the balance when=20
the report is provided. For some project you may=20
want to get the entire balance up front, well in=20
advance. In other cases, for established client=20
you may let them pay at the end of the service.
Some executives only want to issue one payment=20
for the TSCM services, and they are more then=20
happy to provide this payment well in advance of=20
the services actually being provided. When this=20
happens always give the customer much more then=20
they are paying for, and go out of your way to do a fantastic job for them.
While it is permissible to provide terms of "10/0=20
Net 10" you do not provide terms of Net 15, or=20
Net 30 unless you are an utter fool.
The more paperwork that you provide to your=20
clients accounting department the more likely=20
that it is the secrecy of the sweep will be=20
compromised. With this in mind the executive who=20
engages you should arrange for a check to be=20
manually cut to them which they send to you in=20
order to keep you out of their regular accounting=20
systems for at least a few weeks after the sweep is completed.
Learn why most rumors and leaks originate from=20
the accounting department, sales and marketing=20
departments, and then the computer/MIS=20
department. Accept this fact, deal with it, plan=20
appropriately, and make sure none of these=20
departments know anything of your project.
Some computer security people are just glorified=20
systems administrators, learn the difference=20
between the two. Some security people barely make=20
a good night watchmen, floorwalker, or bodyguard.=20
Just because somebody has the word "security" in=20
their title does not mean they know anything about it.
Sometimes you can only get into an office for=20
one, single frantic 16 hour session as the office=20
is only available for a very narrow, single shot=20
sweep, and other times you can spend 3-4 days=20
inside a single room. Have the capability to=20
operate under either condition or everything in between.
With some customers you can come rolling in with=20
twelve TSCM people and twenty thousand of pounds=20
of equipment and then run six or more people in=20
the office 24 hours a day for an entire week, but=20
in other cases the client can only get a single=20
person in with a couple of briefcases, for one afternoon or evening.
Learn to smoothly operate with a minimum number=20
of people on-site, and to be as invisible to the eavesdropper as possible.
If you are going to be performing sweeps=20
professionally you must keep the following tenets=20
in your mind at all times, and repeat them in=20
your mind until they become deeply integrated into all of your activities:
Know your client
Know his threat
Know your own equipment
Know your own weaknesses and strengths
Know bugging equipment
Know the eavesdropper
Know the laws of physics
Work within the time you are given
Work with what equipment you have on hand
Cover all the bases
Overlap all equipment coverage
Pay careful attention to details, for it is the=20
details that we use to catch the eavesdropper.
Keep a written notebook that contains a record of=20
everything you did on the sweep.
Miss nothing; take your time to do a good job.
Keep your clients secrets
Inside every older person is a younger person wondering what happened?
At least two smoke detectors on every floor, plus=20
one at the top of all stairways.
One carbon monoxide alarm close to the floor, and=20
anything that burns, heats, or cooks something,=20
plus one carbon monoxide alarm and smoke detector in each and every bedroom=
.
Always refuel your fuel tank before it reaches=20
half-empty. Stopping for gas is easier then walking for gas.
Diesel is better then gas for large vehicles, learn why.
All TSCM people know what NIMS, ICS, COG, COOP,=20
EOP, EOC all mean, and perform their sweep=20
activities to be fully compliant with these=20
matters. If you do not know why, then learn or find another occupation.
Never forget to fart, and learn to take pride in it.
Buying a violin at a pawnshop does not make you a=20
concert violinist. Much the same way that buying=20
a pile of bug sweep equipment on E-Bay does not=20
make you a competent bug sweeper.
He who laughs last thinks slowest.
Some of life's best lessons were learned early in kindergarten:
Always wash your hands.
Do not run with scissors.
Play nice with the other kids.
Bring enough candy for everybody.
Solve Your Own Problems.
Don't hit people; keep you hands and feet to yourself.
Don't call other people names.
No yelling or cussing.
Never hurt anyone on the inside or the outside.
Play fair.
Work as a team.
Always do your best.
Put things back where you found them.
Clean up your own mess.
Be a good listener.
Respect others and their property.
Don't take things that aren't yours.
Say you're sorry when you hurt somebody.
Wash your hands before you eat.
Use kind words.
Flush.
Live a balanced life - learn some and think some=20
and draw and paint and sing and dance and play and work every day some.
When you go out in the world, watch out for=20
traffic, hold hands and stick together.
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World Class, Professional, Ethical, and Competent Bug Sweeps, and
Wiretap Detection using Sophisticated Laboratory Grade Test Equipment.
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James M. Atkinson Phone: (978) 546-3803
Granite Island Group Fax: (978) 546-9467
127 Eastern Avenue #291 Web:
http://www.tscm.com/
Gloucester, MA 01931-8008 E-mail: mailto:jm..._at_tscm.com
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We perform bug sweeps like it's a full contact sport, we take no
prisoners,
and we give no quarter. Our goal is to simply, and completely stop the spy.
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<table cellspacing=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0" border=3D"0" ><tr><td valign=3D"=
top" style=3D"font: inherit;">Jim... this came through fine... Marty<BR><BR=
>--- On <B>Mon, 2/9/09, James M. Atkinson <I><j..._at_tscm.com></I></B> =
wrote:<BR>
<BLOCKQUOTE style=3D"PADDING-LEFT: 5px; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px; BORDER-LEFT: rgb(=
16,16,255) 2px solid">From: James M. Atkinson <j..._at_tscm.com><BR>Subj=
ect: [TSCM-L] {3329} Pearls before Swine Series - Bug Sweep Wisdom<BR>To: T=
SCM-..._at_googlegroups.com<BR>Date: Monday, February 9, 2009, 10:48 AM<BR><BR=
><PRE>Thanks to the list members that suggested some additions:
The post is around 20+ pages long.
-jma
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---
Pearls before Swine Series
Bug Sweep Wisdom
February 2009.2 Version
By James M. Atkinson, the "Sun Tzu of Bug Sweeps"
A brave man dies but once, but a coward dies a thousand deaths.
It is always better to die on your feet, then to live on your knees
Always dance like nobody is watching.
Do not go gently into that dark night
Do not bring a knife to a gun fight
Forgive your enemies, forget not their names.
A closed mouth attracts no foot.
Never interrupt your enemy when he is making a mistake.
Good judgment comes from experience, and experience comes from bad judgment=
.
Some friends will help you move, but real friends will help you move bodies=
.
A brave and honest man will still stand up to do=20
the right thing, and will lift his voice and=20
speak the truth when it is appropriate to do so.=20
A coward will sit in the back of the room and keep his mouth shut.
The racking of a shotgun speaks loudly in any languages, and any culture.
"Sie vie pacem, para bellum" (if you want peace, first prepare for
war)
When you are traveling always check into your=20
hotel at least one hour before sunset (or 6 PM=20
whichever is first), and always call ahead for=20
reservations. Otherwise, you will end up paying=20
too much for your room, you will get a bad room, or you may get no room at =
all.
Assume that hotels will always screw up your=20
reservations, so always have a backup plan for an=20
alternate hotel, and then an alternate for your=20
alternate. Do not forget to cancel the backup=20
reservations that you do not use once you have checked in to you room.
When everything is coming your way, you are in the wrong lane.
If you actually think, you can drive your car=20
after a few drinks (or any quantity of alcohol)=20
you should consider driving a powerful motorcycle=20
instead, should not wear a helmet, and should=20
sign an organ donor card as soon as possible.
The most importance thing in your house is the=20
mattress, linens, and blankets on your bed. Not=20
the sofa, not the big screen TV, not the stereo.=20
Keep your priorities straight, and invest in a=20
good nights sleep and buy a good bed.
If you stay in a hotel try to stay with better=20
large chains of business hotels, but take care=20
not to stay at conference hotels as the rooms=20
will be at least 4 times more expensive then a business hotel.
When you are performing a sweep try to stay at a=20
hotel that is ten miles or more away from the=20
site, twenty to thirty miles away is often the=20
best option. While the driving to and from the=20
site may be a bit of a hassle it will give you=20
time to detect and then throw off any=20
surveillance that may be on you. The 30-45 minute=20
commute will also give you emotional distance=20
from the site. This will give the caffeine time=20
to fully to kick in, and will give you more hotel=20
options. This will also give you an inventory of=20
hotels within your coverage zone so that you tend=20
to use them as a remote base of operation that=20
are each spaced 50-60 miles apart. A list of=20
12-15 regular hotels will be sufficient for you=20
to cover a radius of 200 miles of work space (or=20
at least 20-25 million people).
When you travel you should bring your own sheets,=20
and get the kind that are "bug and vermin proof"=20
and hypo-bacterial. This also applies to your=20
pillow case covers, your own blankets, and your own quilt.
In a hotel room the nastiest, most disease-laden=20
items are the TV remote control, the telephone,=20
and the bed spread. Lysol is available in small=20
cans for just this sort of thing, but you should consider bringing your own=
.
Never eat out of, nor drink out of the mini-bar=20
in a hotel room and avoid the vending machines.=20
Use room service instead, or better yet go visit=20
a local grocery store after you check in and buy=20
$20 worth of groceries, beverages, and snacks.
The difference between the word Cop and Con is=20
one letter. Trust is hard to gain, and very easy=20
to loose, never forget this fact.
Never stay at a hotel that does not have room=20
service available 24 hours a day, but only use it=20
on rare occasions. Breakfast is always the best room service meal, not dinn=
er.
Room service is always best before 9 PM, so order=20
your dinner early. If you eat in the restaurant,=20
be sure to have reservations, and try to be=20
seated at or before 7 PM for the best food.
A good restaurant will always require a gentleman=20
to wear a jacket for the evening seating, but a=20
truly good restaurant will loan him a properly=20
sized jacket should he not be wearing one.
At a proper establishment, no member of your=20
group sees you pay the check as it is never=20
presented at the table, or if the check is=20
presented at the table, nobody notices that you have covertly paid it.
Always have a few good friends with whom you can=20
share your thoughts, fears, wants, goals,=20
desires, and disappointments, and whom will=20
always give you honest criticism and advice.
You will never have more then five really close=20
friends in your entire life, and consider=20
yourself to be blessed if you have only three.
A good friend will always tell you when you are=20
being a too much of a geek or acting like a horses ass.
"You have to learn the rules of the game. And=20
then you have to play better than anyone else." - Albert Einstein
Good service is always well tipped, but bad=20
service is also tipped along with a very discrete complaint to the manageme=
nt.
A gentleman tips for the service which he expects=20
to receive next time at the establishment, not=20
for the service he just experienced. Learn what=20
this means, and why tip money should always flow=20
freely to the appropriate people, but withheld=20
from others (ie: one does not tip the owner of a hotel, or the desk clerk).
Nobody should ever see you tip, and the recipient=20
of the gratuity should not know that a gratuity=20
is being covertly passed to them until they feel it in their hand.
The most powerful words in business are those of=20
"Please" and "Thank You", and you should use them often.
Do not spend or obligate money that you have not=20
yet made, nor spend a check that has not yet=20
fully cleared the bank. It is alright to make=20
plans to spend money that has not yet arrived,=20
but never make business promises for money that is not yet actually in hand=
.
Credit cards should not be used to finance your=20
sweep or any other business operations. Instead=20
use them to obtain hotels rooms, airfare, and=20
rental cars. Credit cards are not to be used to=20
purchase sweep gear or for anything where you=20
have advanced notice of several weeks.
If you live on plastic you can die very quickly.
You should always have sweep work pending, sweep=20
work that is pre-paid and on the schedule, sweep=20
work that is in process, sweep work that you have=20
just completed but are awaiting payment, and then=20
follow-on or continuing sweep work or projects.
Big sweeps are the big bricks that hold up the=20
wall, but small sweeps are the mortar and cement=20
that holds the bigger bricks (or sweeps)=20
together. A wall that is made of either all=20
bricks or all mortar will be weak and will=20
quickly collapse in bad times. Without small=20
sweeps you will starve, and without the large sweeps you will not grow.
Even in good times, always except the small sweep jobs.
Pay for new equipment and training out of the=20
revenues of larger sweeps, but never from the small sweeps.
Take time to think in the middle of doing. A few=20
minutes of thinking can save hours of doing.=20
Doing without thinking is dangerous; thinking=20
without doing is misguided. Sometimes we must do and think at the same time=
.
"It is not death that a man should fear, but he=20
should fear never beginning to live."
- Marcus Aelius Aurelius
Make sure that you control your sweep equipment,=20
and that it does not control you. Meditate on=20
this for a while, for it is one of the great secrets of the TSCM business.
Keep your sweep equipment in good repair, and=20
operational at all times. A few minutes of=20
checking out your equipment the night before you=20
start a sweep can prevent six hours of utter on-site chaos, or a missed bug=
.
Check the batteries in your sweep gear before you=20
start the sweep and then again before you put the=20
equipment away at the end of the sweep to minimize any unpleasant surprises
Many TSCM specialist have missed bugs because the=20
batteries in their own equipment were either weak or completely dead.
No piece of sweep equipment can replace a=20
flashlight, a proper ladder, and the eyes of a=20
TSCM specialist. This is also one of the great=20
secrets of how to perform a proper bug sweep.
When in doubt always wear long sleeved button=20
down oxford shirts, a crew neck T-shirt, and a=20
tie. But, always pack a couple of polo shirts so=20
that you can match your client's dress code.
Metallic watch bands, rings, cuff links, tie=20
tacks, ear rings, nose rings, eyebrow piercings,=20
or other conductors have no business being worn by a sweep person.
When in doubt wear a dark suit, a white, long=20
sleeved, button down oxford shirt, and a muted=20
tie. Shoes and socks should always be black leather, as should the belt.
If you have a tattoo, keep it fully covered up=20
and concealed while on a sweep. Nobody really=20
cares what kind of motorcycle you drive, the name=20
of your first love, or your relationship for your=20
mother. It is alright for you to have body art, just keep it concealed.
Attention, both genders=85 please wear a clean=20
white crew neck undershirt with sleeves under=20
your button down oxford dress shirt when working.
Please shower once in the evening and once in the=20
morning, and apply anti-perspirant, and use only=20
the slightest hint of cologne.
Fresh underclothes every morning is also a real=20
winner, and is something that many people do not=20
pay attention to much to the annoyance and disgust of their customer.
Fresh socks every morning is also a must, and=20
bring at least two sets of shoes so that you can rotate them on alternate d=
ays.
Brush your teeth three times a day, always use=20
mouthwash in the morning and after every meal.
Carry a tin of breath mints on you are all times.
Know when to wear a suit, and when to wear jeans=20
and a flannel shirt on a sweep.
Always carry a pocket sized notebook, a small=20
ruler, and two ball point pens or pencils on a=20
sweep. Learn to take copious notes, and always=20
write down the date and time of each note.
A clear conscience is usually the sign of a bad memory.
Learn how to use a ball point pen or key ring as=20
an edged weapon, and learn when to use it to save your life.
Do not cheat at golf, ever; it is the game of the=20
honor of a true gentleman. Be truthful on your=20
handicap, tip your caddy well, and never carry=20
your own bags. Other players will always remember=20
your cheats and mulligans, and will expect the=20
same from you in business and thus never trust=20
you. Golf is all about business and honor, learn=20
to play it, you will learn much. Meditate on this=20
until you understand why this is so important.
Learn to play chess well, and to moderate your=20
play to match your opponents skill level. It is=20
more about having a pleasant two way play, and=20
less about winning in seven moves or less. Be=20
able to both play chess and to teach chess. The=20
best way to learn chess is to teach it to a=20
child, and to never win more then 50% of your=20
matches. Sometimes it is about controlling=20
yourself, and reigning in your capabilities, and=20
less about winning. Learn why this is important in business.
Learn to play blackjack and poker well, to the=20
point that you are not welcome in certain=20
casinos. Learn why this is important to TSCM and=20
Intelligence activities in general.
A wise person stays away from casinos except for=20
the occasional free buffet or to play the quarter slots on a rare occasion.
If you are highly skilled in mathematics you may=20
successfully play casino blackjack on your own,=20
but never as a team effort. Blackjack is a game=20
of pure mathematics, and is the only game in a=20
casino where you have even the slightest chance=20
of leaving with more money then you came with.=20
For this reason, casinos do not like blackjack=20
players, or they manipulate the games to put the=20
odds strongly in the houses favor. Scientists,=20
engineers, and physicians tend to be very good=20
with blackjack, but bad at poker.
Poker in all its forms and variants is the game=20
of the true sociopath, and it is all about=20
reading and manipulating people. You can only=20
play it well if you understand both yourself, and=20
other people. Politicians and salesmen tend to be=20
very good at poker, but very bad at blackjack.
If someone is good at playing both blackjack and=20
poker, they should be considered very dangerous=20
at anything they do, and to be the consummate=20
predator. Many spies, soldiers, and military=20
leaders can do this, and they make the most exquisite cold blooded spy hunt=
ers.
If you work for someone for a living do not try=20
to delude yourself into thinking your little=20
moonlighting TSCM jobs means that you are self=20
employed. Instead you have nothing more then a=20
hobby with benefits. You are only self-employed=20
when you earn 100% of your income from the work=20
of your own hands, and you answer to nobody but your clients.
Never conceal from your customers that you are=20
moonlighting, because someday your customer will=20
tell your employer about the projects you have=20
been doing for them so that he can make a=20
referral for your services. While your customer=20
has good intentions in doing this your boss is=20
never going to trust you again, and you may or=20
may not find yourself unemployed and not understand why.
If you are moonlighting, be sure your customer=20
knows where you work, and who your boss is to avoid such ugliness.
If you are moonlighting, make sure that your=20
daytime employer knows about your=20
hobby-with-benefits, and that both your boss and=20
your supervisor know what you do outside of=20
company time. Do not use your employer's=20
equipment or use your employer's time or other=20
resources in support of your moonlighting unless=20
you have express written permission to do so, and=20
update this written permission once a year.
If you are moonlighting, and using your employers=20
equipment or any resource of your employer=20
without express permission then you are stealing from them.
Stealing is stealing, and there is no gray area=20
is matters such as this, never forget this.
To learn a subject, try to teach it to someone else.
Become highly proficient with small arms, but=20
pray that you never need to use them except as a last resort.
Always be discrete about small arms, and make=20
every effort to ensure that nobody knows that you are packing.
A hit with a .22 LR is better then a miss with a .44 magnum.
Never draw a sidearm in anger, and never for=20
anything other then immediate self defense.
Only a fool fires warning shots or brandishes=20
sidearm in an attempt to scare away trouble.
Carry it in a proper holster, and not your waistband.
New ways are not always better, neither are the=20
old ways. Learn why this is not always true, and=20
learn when to stay on course, and when to change your path.
There is no better discipline for a TSCM=20
specialist than to build a structure, a house,=20
office building, or a barn. The same hold true=20
for designing and installing computer networks,=20
phone systems, and data systems. This is one of=20
the great secrets of learning about TSCM and bug=20
sweeps, for if you know nothing about=20
construction you have no reason to be in the business.
All TSCM specialists must have some level of=20
knowledge and hands-on training and experience=20
with locksmithing and alarms systems, not so that=20
they can actually install and repair locks and=20
alarms for a living, but so that they can detect=20
poorly installed, manipulated, or weak locks and alarms.
If a TSCM specialist is a master locksmith and an=20
expert with alarm systems they can make a=20
significant income doing these things when they are not doing sweeps.
Learn to write computer programs from scratch in=20
C or C++ and develop your own TSCM software that=20
you use on your own sweeps and which you never=20
sell outside of your own operation.
At least once in your life delivery a baby into=20
the world, and then afterwards examine your life thus far.
The ability to wash your own windshield, fill=20
your own gas tank, and change the engine oil in=20
your car does not mean that you are an auto=20
mechanic. A true mechanic can rebuild an engine=20
by himself, and can strip the vehicle down to the=20
raw chassis rails and rebuilt it better that the=20
factory. Ditto with sweep equipment and a real=20
TSCM specialists, you are poser and a faker=20
unless you can Frankenstein your own equipment.
Facing a problem and fixing it is easier than complaining about it.
"Our games don't end in ties" - anonymous
Real men drink beer out of bottle or chilled=20
glass, not out of a can. They also know when to=20
stop drinking, and know not to drive after any drinking.
Root beer, ginger soda, orange soda, and cr=E8me=20
soda are all to be consumed from a chilled bottle=20
or glass, and in the same fashion as any other bottled beverage.
Only a fool makes light of someone who prefers to=20
be a moderate drinker, or someone who prefers to=20
avoid alcohol outright. A good host will always=20
ensure that non-alcoholic beverages are always=20
discretely available to all guests, along with=20
coffee, teas, and other non-intoxicating drinks.
Being out on a sweep, doesn't not mean that you=20
are on vacation, and that you are free to pickle=20
your liver and party until 2 AM.
Strippers, hookers, massage parlors, porn,=20
recreational drugs, alcohol, and other such=20
immature foolishness have no place when you are=20
on business trips. For that matter, these things=20
should have little or no place in your personal life either.
If you are bored at the end of the day while on a=20
sweep, and have trouble getting to sleep, then you are not working hard eno=
ugh.
When you are on a sweep, be sure to eat an early=20
dinner so that there is at least 3 hours between=20
your main course being eaten and you going to bed.
At the end of each day, before going to bed write=20
yourself a memo where you summarize the previous=20
days work, and what you plan to accomplish during=20
the next day. This is called making a plan, and=20
it is something that few people ever do.
The best cure for insomnia while in a hotel room=20
after a full day of sweeps is work on your report.
Be sure that you are getting a solid 8 hours of=20
actual restful sleep each night, and eat a really=20
good breakfast before you head out to the job site.
Never forget that you are the most important=20
piece of sweep gear in your inventory, and that=20
you always need a full night sleep, and at least=20
two good meals each day to be most effective.
Try not to be on a job site or in transit for=20
more then 12 hours in any given 24 hour=20
period. Longer hours may occasionally be needed,=20
but your plan should be to work 8-10 hours per=20
day, but have the capability to extend this to=20
16-18 hours when there is no other option.
Sweep people do not take lunch breaks that=20
involve more then 5-10 minutes so that they can=20
grab a can of soup or sandwich and then to get=20
back to work. If you want a one hour lunch then=20
become a construction worker or banker.
The television at the hotel can cost you a=20
fortune in lost time and productivity. When on a=20
sweep limit yourself to no more then 30-60=20
minutes of news, and no more then two hours for a=20
movie or your favorite shows. All total you=20
should not be watching television or movies for=20
ore then 2-3 hours when on a sweep.
When staying in a hotel never go to bed with the=20
television left on, and never rely on the alarm=20
clock in the hotel to work. Instead bring your=20
own battery powered alarm clock to use as a=20
backup to the one the hotel provides.
Take time each day after the work is done to do=20
nothing. Just to sit quietly by yourself, to=20
think, and to clear your mind. Let your mind go=20
blank, and just let yourself breath. God invented=20
bathtubs, commodes, tree stumps, and comfortable=20
chairs for mediations like this.
Consider everybody to be honest, honorable, and=20
hardworking, until they show you otherwise on at least three occasions.
Always try to generously and anonymously help=20
others, and never expect or ask for anything in return.
The fewer people that you involve in your=20
charitable activities the better. When you are=20
ready to perform charitable acts everybody will=20
want to help you but they will want a little of=20
your charity to stick to them in the form of=20
political favors, publicity, or raw percentages.=20
Do not let the agendas of others contaminate your own.
Try to always do more for others than they do for=20
you=85 but be quiet about it, and keep it private.
When you give to someone to help them out, give=20
until it hurts, and then give some more... this=20
is true sacrifice, and it is something you should do often.
Help feed the hungry, to clothe the naked, help=20
to bury the dead, and comfort the grieving. Help=20
your local community, neighbors, friends, and=20
family first before you waste time and money=20
trying to help someone who you do not know on the other side of the globe.
Remember, half the people you know are below average.
Visit people in nursing homes and hospitals,=20
because someday you may live in one and will be=20
lonely when nobody comes to visit you.
Learn how to suture a wound or injuries of=20
another person, both literally and figuratively.=20
Know how to give a hug and provide a strong=20
shoulder or arm, but also how to throw some 2-0=20
silk or apply a splint, swath, and sling.
Everyone has a photographic memory. Some just don't have film.
Learn CPR and First Aid well, and recertify every=20
six months. Pray you never need to use it, and=20
when you do use it pray that you remember your=20
training. Carry a set of reflective triangles,=20
fire extinguisher, AED, oxygen tank, and a first=20
aid kit on all sweep vehicles, and know how and=20
when to use them as you can relieve much suffering with these item.
Giving a warm blanket, a good coat, new socks and=20
good shoes to someone who needs these things will=20
alleviate much misery in your fellow man.=20
Children often need these things, and well as the=20
homeless, the old, and the infirm. Learn how to=20
obtain and supply these things to others, but how to do so anonymously.
Stay current on all your immunizations, and get a=20
flu shot every Fall, and a pneumonia shot every five to ten years.
Have an annual physical when in good health, and=20
more often if ill. These check-ups should be at=20
least 90 minutes long and should check you out from head to toe.
Always tell the truth to your physician, even if=20
it is an ugly truth, for they always have your=20
best interests at heart. However, there are some=20
truths that should not find their way into your=20
medical records, and which should remembered by=20
the physician and not written down.
Obtain a Commercial Drivers License, and Medical=20
Examiners card, and stay current on all your=20
endorsements. Most sweep vehicles are mandated by=20
federal law as commercial vehicles, so having a=20
CDL, CPR, and Medical Examiners card in your=20
wallet is a real quick way a customer or others=20
to determine if you are for real or not and not just another poser.
Whores pose in front of their equipment=20
collection in a feeble attempt to prove to the=20
world that they actually own more then a $99 bug=20
detector. However, the poor, inexperience sweeper=20
who does this look like a whore on display in a=20
brothel window. Ditto for the TSCM'er who feels=20
that they need to prove that they have=20
such-and-such equipment for sweeps. Both are=20
whores, just of different types, learn why.
Learn what the word poser means.
As the wind blows, so all politicians bend.
The size of the dust cloud tells us little about the traveler.
The drive home or to your hotel from a sweep at 2=20
AM is always longer than the drive at 6 AM you=20
took to get to the sweep location that morning.
Owning a lot of expensive cameras does not make=20
you a photographer, deal with it. It only becomes=20
art when someone can see a soul in the picture.=20
Ditto for sweep gear, fancy equipment, and camera=20
equipment means nothing and are only children's=20
toys unless you own the methods and techniques first.
Do not make a mistake by only using bug sweep=20
equipment make by TSCM companies, but rather use=20
some TSCM gear, some basic electronics test=20
equipment, some communications test equipment,=20
and construction and physical inspections tools=20
and equipment. In fact the majority of your=20
equipment should not be TSCM equipment or you are=20
setting up a situation that will lead to your failure.
If a piece of equipment is important to you, then=20
you need to have at least two of them at all=20
times. This applies to ladders, voltmeters,=20
spectrum analyzers, and TSCM equipment.
Take all measurements three times, and then with=20
at least two different pieces of equipment. If=20
all six measurements do not match, or they are=20
not even close then you need to investigate why.
For every 10,000 amateur photographers there are=20
5 true professional photographers, do not expect=20
this ratio to be different in the sweep profession.
Clients will look at your shoes and tie before your resume.
Bring two full sets of clothes to every sweep=20
project to include extra boxed shirts, and=20
pressed silk ties. Do not be afraid to change=20
your tie and shirt every 3-4 hours while working.=20
Your client should never know that you have=20
brought extra clothes, and they should never=20
suspect that you have changed clothes.
An academic degree or title only belongs on your=20
business card if you are a practicing medical=20
physician, or a professor at a university, or=20
engaged in an activity involved in academic pursuits such as research.
If you went to college for eight years, please=20
feel free not to put it on your business card.=20
Your PhD is only important when you are less then=20
30 years old, after that age your academic=20
degrees are best kept out of sight and your=20
reputation allowed to speak for itself. Learn why=20
this is true, and why this is something that some people never learn.
A D.O., Chiropractor, Naturalist is not a real=20
doctor, and they are more likely to cause you=20
pain and misery when you really need to see a=20
real doctor. Know when it is appropriate to see a=20
real doctor, and when it is all right to seek out alternate medicine.
You cannot work inside a 12-foot ceiling, by=20
standing on a 6 foot ladder. If you do not=20
understand why, then you are in the wrong business.
Know the phone number of the nearest emergency=20
room and 24 hour drug store with full time=20
pharmacy that is nearest to the hotel where you=20
are staying, or the job site where you will be working.
Obtain the direct dial numbers for the Attending=20
Physicians on staff and the Triage nurse and know=20
when to call without going through the switch=20
board at 3 AM. Always ask for a fast track so=20
that you can get in and out within 90 minutes for minor illnesses or injuri=
es.
Learn that a hospital that gets paid by an=20
insurance company will try to keep you in the=20
emergency room for five or more hours. If you are=20
paying cash (on the spot), most emergency rooms=20
can get you in and out in under one or two hours=20
for non-serious visits. Along these lines always=20
make sure you always carry $500 in cash to pay=20
your medical bills on the spot to help get you=20
out of the emergency room faster.
For non-critical injuries or illnesses it may be=20
more timely to drive 20-30 miles away from where=20
you are currently to be seen in an emergency room=20
in a small community instead of the emergency=20
rooms of a major city. Very often the smaller=20
hospitals can get you into an ER bed right away,=20
and can get you discharged in under two hours.
The fastest way to get a bed in an emergency room=20
is to arrive by ambulance, but if you do arrive=20
by ambulance you can expect to stay for at least=20
a solid 4-6 hours. If you have a serious injury=20
you can plan to stay in the emergency room for 12=20
hours or more. If you are seriously ill this=20
extra time is to observe you and ensure that you are stable enough to go ho=
me.
If you only need an antibiotic, a muscle=20
relaxant, or a half dozen stitches to close an=20
open wound there is no reason for the hospital to keep you for 12 hours.
Always be nice to everybody in the emergency=20
room. Just because you have been there for four=20
hours to have a splinter removed from your=20
pinkie, does not mean that you have been=20
forgotten about. Rather it may be that the=20
patient three rooms away may be about to die and=20
the ER staff has been fighting to save the=20
patients life for the past six hours.
If you are in pain when you arrive in the ER,=20
please request some kind of pain medication=20
within 30 minutes of your arrival so that your=20
time in the ER is a pain free as possible. This=20
will help you from becoming impatient and crabby,=20
and will allow people who are much more injured=20
then you to be tended to first. If you are=20
arriving by ambulance ask the paramedics for=20
something (by IV) to alleviate your suffering.
If you do not like the way that you are treated=20
in the hospital immediately ask to speak to the=20
attending physician, the patient advocate, or the=20
head of nursing. Hospitals really do take=20
complaints seriously, but since so few patient=20
know how to properly complain they very rarely hear about problems.
You can refuse to have a specific medical person=20
not touch you, so if you do not want medical=20
students, or a particular grumpy nurse from=20
touching your you can tell them to go away.
However the "grumpy nurse" is often the best one=20
on staff, and you are just being a really=20
difficult patient. Never loose sight of this, and be nice.
If you get a grumpy nurse or doctor, explain to=20
them that you can understand that they may be=20
having a bad day, and explain that you are having=20
a pretty bad day as well, but you appreciate them helping you.
When in the hospital or emergency room, listen to=20
the advice of your doctor, but only if they have=20
completed their residency and are either a fellow or attending physician.
An M.D. after a persons name just means that the=20
graduated from medical school, not that they have=20
the experience to treat you. An intern is still a=20
medical school student, and a resident is someone=20
who has graduated from medical school, but who=20
lacks the experience to yet be fully trusted by=20
hospital. All should be working under the close=20
supervision of an attending physician.
Always keep in mind that medical school students,=20
interns, and residents are still in training. It=20
is OK for them to talk with you, to examine you,=20
to give you stitches, and perform minor=20
procedures, but you can always request that these=20
people not treat you (and you can wait for hours=20
until the attending has some free time).
Not everybody in a hospital is a doctor or a=20
nurse, and there are many, many "technicians" and=20
aides who actually know little or nothing about=20
medical care and who are barely making minimum=20
wage. You can always ask for an IV nurse or=20
doctor to draw your blood instead of a lab tech,=20
and can ask for a nurse to help you instead of a=20
nurses aid or assistant. Learn how this applies=20
to bug sweeps and TSCM, and why one highly=20
training TSCM person can be better then twelve=20
warm bodies, and why this does not always apply.
You doctors and nurses will not be offended if=20
you ask them to change their gloves or wash their=20
hands or instruments before touching you. In fact=20
most will have already done just this just before entering your room.
Only trust medical advice that comes from a=20
medical doctor who has more then four years of=20
experience out of medical school (not some 20 something wonder kid).
Remember that Nurses are not medical doctors.
Carry an abbreviated medical history on your=20
person at all times, to include all allergies to=20
anything, any medications, drugs, supplements, or=20
herbs you are taking, what current medication=20
conditions you have, or have had. Include all=20
your emergency contact data, and include your=20
insurance data or your credit card numbers. This could save your life.
Always have a will, and have a close friend,=20
spouse, or family member designated as the=20
executor of your estate and who also has power of=20
attorney over your affairs. Also, along these=20
same lines have someone who is reliable and=20
trustworthy designated to act in your behalf=20
should you ever suddenly become disabled or=20
unable to function. Make sure that this person=20
has studied your will, knows its contents, and=20
knows how you want things handled.
When you travel always carry a full a one to two=20
week supply of medications with you in your carry=20
on luggage. Then always keep your carry on=20
luggage with you at all times when you are=20
traveling so that if your hotel room gets robbed=20
you will still have plenty of your of meds=20
available. If you have to consume any medication=20
out of your carry on kit you should refresh it as soon as possible.
If you ever travel overseas purchase a special=20
insurance policy for emergency medical=20
evacuation, and designate in the policy which hospital(s) they can take you=
to.
In the hospital, the best bed is usually the one next to the window.
ICE your phone, your wallet, your passport, and=20
your luggage. Learn what this means.
A degree from a diploma mill or "Distance=20
College" will always make you look like a=20
complete fool, it is just that you may be too=20
obtuse and uneducated to realize it.
Learn what the word "obtuse" means.
If you did not have to stop at DOT scales when=20
you crossed the state lines and maintain drivers=20
logbooks, then you have the wrong kind of sweep vehicle.
It's OK to be a nerd, but never be dork=85 learn the difference between the
two.
The best way to learn is in the Socratatic and=20
Didactic methods, learn why, and learn to master=20
both methods as both a teacher and a student.
When in any classroom; learn to talk to the=20
teacher, ask questions, and actually make an=20
effort to learn something from each other.
Teaching is always a two way group effort, and it=20
requires that the teacher do more then stand in=20
front of the room and spew forth dry materials.
Unless the teacher or instructor can see the=20
light behind the student's eyes, they have no=20
business teaching and should seek other pursuits.=20
Learn what this means, and apply it to both your=20
own educations, the education of your family.
If you are teaching and you can not see that=20
light or see nside the heads of your students=20
then you are wasting everybody's time.
Never confuse a teachers with a babysitter, or a=20
teacher with a salesman. Learn what this means.
As a student you should never just passively sit=20
and say nothing as the teacher will not know if=20
you are absorbing the materials being presented.
Most students never engage the instructors, and=20
most instructors never engage the students. Learn=20
to be both a good student, and an engaging=20
teacher, as you will be in both positions many times in your life.
A good teacher was first a good student.
Teach Sunday school to children, and be amazed to=20
learn of love, grace, and faith from them in its purest form.
A teacher must master the materials before they=20
can teach it, and they must be able to see inside=20
the minds of the students in real-time as they=20
teach to see if what they are teaching is being=20
absorbed by the student or they are not actually=20
teaching but rather just lecturing and wasting everybody's time.
A good TSCM person has mastered his craft to the=20
point that he can explain technical material in=20
simple, non-technical understandable terms to=20
anybody from a six year old child to a multi-billionaire CEO.
White hair and a beard does not indicates=20
experience, just an illusion of such. Learn when this is not always true.
The more honest a man is, the less he has to tell=20
you about it. Along these same lines, the more=20
references or endorsements a person provides to=20
you or the more names they drop the more of a=20
true charlatan you can expect them to be.
All real bug sweeps and TSCM require the use of a=20
ladder. If you do sweeps professionally you need=20
lots of ladders, and vehicles that allow you to=20
transport the ladders inside the vehicle. As you=20
will usually need a six and eight foot folding=20
ladder on all sweeps, and periodically need a=20
twelve foot folding ladder or 20 foot extension=20
ladders. Thus the inside cargo area of your=20
vehicle will need to be at least 12 feet long.
Inspect your ladders before and after any use, as=20
it is quite unpleasant for you to come crashing=20
the ground when the laws of gravity decide to=20
teach you a painful equipment lesson.
The taller the ladder the more likely it is that=20
you could get hurt. While crashing to the ground=20
from the top of a 15 foot ladder is pretty=20
serious, you can also suffer lethal injury by falling off a 4 foot step lad=
der.
There is no place for wooden or metal ladders in=20
our business; fiberglass will keep you from getting killed.
When on a ladder keep a little neon bulb circuit=20
tester in your pocket and touch it to any ceiling=20
track before you touch it. Ditto for any conduit=20
or lighting fixtures you find. This may well save=20
your live, or at a minimum keep you from serious injury.
Keep a little money in the bank, a little in your=20
mattress, but the majority of it in your=20
educations, the tools of your trade, and your=20
business operation. Of these, the time and monies=20
you spend on your own education will result in=20
the greatest return-on-investment, and will=20
result in the strongest long term stability of your finances.
Keep at least six months of personal expense=20
money for food, rent, utilities, etc. in the form=20
of cash in the bank at all times, and another six=20
months stored in a fire-proof safe in your house.=20
Keep this money separate from any business funds,=20
and only use it to personally support yourself in=20
an emergency for at least one year. As time goes=20
on you should built this up to at least three=20
years of monies, do not consider this is be=20
retirement money, but rather only personally=20
emergency or survival money. This is not for=20
medical bills, down payments on houses or=20
vehicles, legal bills, bail money, or even money=20
that you can use for your kids college fund.=20
Rather this is for actual life safety and=20
personal emergencies where you may have to either=20
evacuate, hunker down, put out the fire, buy a=20
generator, clean the guns, stock up the larder, and so on.
Purchase insurance on everything that is=20
important in your life, this should include not=20
only your equipment, vehicles, property, and=20
assets, but also your own health, possible=20
medical disability or yourself, and even the=20
lives of yourself, all close family members, and=20
all sweep people or critical employees who work for you.
Open a retirement fund when you are very young=20
and still in your teens, and add part of your=20
paycheck to it on a regular basis. This must be=20
an ultra-low risk investment, and U.S. Savings=20
Bonds in a safety deposit box are always a real long term winner.
You must have some type of investments that are=20
volatile in nature and risky in order to make=20
significant profits on your investments. But do=20
not stray into this mine-field until after you=20
have both your emergency funds and retirement=20
funds established and well developed.
Do not invest any money in stocks unless you read=20
the Wall Street Journal from cover to cover every=20
single day for at least one year, and understand=20
what forces drive the market. Be prepared to lose=20
every penny you invest in the stock market, and=20
never delude yourself into thinking that any stock is actually safe.
Treat your employees like family, pay them all a=20
good wage, be liberal with all perks and=20
benefits, and give them part of the proceeds of=20
any project they are involved in as a bonus.
Do not wait until the end of the year to give=20
away bonus money, but rather let it flow freely=20
throughout the year as it is earned.
Give all employees feedback on their performance=20
as often as possible, but do so with tact, and in=20
private if there is a problem. All employees=20
should get some kind of feedback from you at=20
least once a week, more often if you can=85 but be sincere.
Employees should respect you, not fear you. Learn when this is not true.
Anybody who will steal for you will steal from=20
you. Never trust them, and discharge them as soon as possible.
Make sure that all of your employees are=20
comfortable financially, emotionally, socially,=20
and physically. Learn why a genuine pat on the=20
back will always get you more in the long run then a kick to the behind.
Never lend money to an employee, if you want to=20
help them out then pay them more, or do something=20
indirect to bail them out, but it may be unwise=20
to give them money directly. When you do assist=20
an employee in this manner nobody else should know about it in your company=
.
Money can actually be toxic is some relationships, learn what this means.
Know your employees problems or weaknesses, and help them overcome them.
Employees works for you for the money. They work=20
for you because you are a good leader, and you=20
give them a pleasant working environment. The=20
money must be secondary, and never be so obtuse=20
as to threaten someone's paycheck over their performance.
Leadership is all about being able to do the job=20
yourself, but inspiring others to follow you and=20
to assist you in getting the job done. At its=20
core, leadership is always about doing it yourself, never forget this fact.
Leadership is all about making clones of=20
yourself, and letting them do your job.
Always praise your employees publically, and only=20
criticize in private. Even then, only criticize=20
very rarely, and do it with compassion and respect.
Learn to sweep your own floors, make your own=20
coffee, and answer your own phone.
There is much wisdom in this, learn why.
Never run up a total amount of credit card debt=20
that you can not pay in full every month.=20
Ideally, you should be able to pay off all=20
plastic debt with your profits for two weeks or less.
If you use a credit card, learn how to make=20
anticipatory payments when you travel or make=20
large purchases. This will annoy your credit card=20
company, learn why. This will also ensure that=20
you are never late on a bill, and why your credit=20
limits will be way higher then anybody else you know.
If your banker is not in your office just to say=20
hello every 90 days or so then you are not=20
dealing with a real banker, or you are not a real customer.
If you ever have any problems with your bank=20
accounts you should expect your banker to visit=20
YOUR office or home at the time that is=20
convenient to you to help resolve the problem,=20
and to apologize for the error and not the other way around.
Learn what "Private Banking" means.
Work within the time the client allowed you to=20
access the premises. Let your client's wants,=20
needs, and access always direct your efforts.=20
But, do not let the client tell you how to do a=20
sweep, but rather let then define the parameters under which you operate.
The client should never have to conform to your=20
needs, but rather the other way around.
If the person who you are dealing with cannot get=20
a retainer check cut, and sent to you within 48=20
hours then you may not want to be dealing with=20
them as they likely lack the authority to engage=20
you in the first place, and you may never see the=20
money that you are due for the sweep.
Sweep payment terms are always half up front=20
(plus anticipated expenses), and the balance when=20
the report is provided. For some project you may=20
want to get the entire balance up front, well in=20
advance. In other cases, for established client=20
you may let them pay at the end of the service.
Some executives only want to issue one payment=20
for the TSCM services, and they are more then=20
happy to provide this payment well in advance of=20
the services actually being provided. When this=20
happens always give the customer much more then=20
they are paying for, and go out of your way to do a fantastic job for them.
While it is permissible to provide terms of "10/0=20
Net 10" you do not provide terms of Net 15, or=20
Net 30 unless you are an utter fool.
The more paperwork that you provide to your=20
clients accounting department the more likely=20
that it is the secrecy of the sweep will be=20
compromised. With this in mind the executive who=20
engages you should arrange for a check to be=20
manually cut to them which they send to you in=20
order to keep you out of their regular accounting=20
systems for at least a few weeks after the sweep is completed.
Learn why most rumors and leaks originate from=20
the accounting department, sales and marketing=20
departments, and then the computer/MIS=20
department. Accept this fact, deal with it, plan=20
appropriately, and make sure none of these=20
departments know anything of your project.
Some computer security people are just glorified=20
systems administrators, learn the difference=20
between the two. Some security people barely make=20
a good night watchmen, floorwalker, or bodyguard.=20
Just because somebody has the word "security" in=20
their title does not mean they know anything about it.
Sometimes you can only get into an office for=20
one, single frantic 16 hour session as the office=20
is only available for a very narrow, single shot=20
sweep, and other times you can spend 3-4 days=20
inside a single room. Have the capability to=20
operate under either condition or everything in between.
With some customers you can come rolling in with=20
twelve TSCM people and twenty thousand of pounds=20
of equipment and then run six or more people in=20
the office 24 hours a day for an entire week, but=20
in other cases the client can only get a single=20
person in with a couple of briefcases, for one afternoon or evening.
Learn to smoothly operate with a minimum number=20
of people on-site, and to be as invisible to the eavesdropper as possible.
If you are going to be performing sweeps=20
professionally you must keep the following tenets=20
in your mind at all times, and repeat them in=20
your mind until they become deeply integrated into all of your activities:
Know your client
Know his threat
Know your own equipment
Know your own weaknesses and strengths
Know bugging equipment
Know the eavesdropper
Know the laws of physics
Work within the time you are given
Work with what equipment you have on hand
Cover all the bases
Overlap all equipment coverage
Pay careful attention to details, for it is the=20
details that we use to catch the eavesdropper.
Keep a written notebook that contains a record of=20
everything you did on the sweep.
Miss nothing; take your time to do a good job.
Keep your clients secrets
Inside every older person is a younger person wondering what happened?
At least two smoke detectors on every floor, plus=20
one at the top of all stairways.
One carbon monoxide alarm close to the floor, and=20
anything that burns, heats, or cooks something,=20
plus one carbon monoxide alarm and smoke detector in each and every bedroom=
.
Always refuel your fuel tank before it reaches=20
half-empty. Stopping for gas is easier then walking for gas.
Diesel is better then gas for large vehicles, learn why.
All TSCM people know what NIMS, ICS, COG, COOP,=20
EOP, EOC all mean, and perform their sweep=20
activities to be fully compliant with these=20
matters. If you do not know why, then learn or find another occupation.
Never forget to fart, and learn to take pride in it.
Buying a violin at a pawnshop does not make you a=20
concert violinist. Much the same way that buying=20
a pile of bug sweep equipment on E-Bay does not=20
make you a competent bug sweeper.
He who laughs last thinks slowest.
Some of life's best lessons were learned early in kindergarten:
Always wash your hands.
Do not run with scissors.
Play nice with the other kids.
Bring enough candy for everybody.
Solve Your Own Problems.
Don't hit people; keep you hands and feet to yourself.
Don't call other people names.
No yelling or cussing.
Never hurt anyone on the inside or the outside.
Play fair.
Work as a team.
Always do your best.
Put things back where you found them.
Clean up your own mess.
Be a good listener.
Respect others and their property.
Don't take things that aren't yours.
Say you're sorry when you hurt somebody.
Wash your hands before you eat.
Use kind words.
Flush.
Live a balanced life - learn some and think some=20
and draw and paint and sing and dance and play and work every day some.
When you go out in the world, watch out for=20
traffic, hold hands and stick together.
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World Class, Professional, Ethical, and Competent Bug Sweeps, and
Wiretap Detection using Sophisticated Laboratory Grade Test Equipment.
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James M. Atkinson Phone: (978) 546-3803
Granite Island Group Fax: (978) 546-9467
127 Eastern Avenue #291 Web:
http://www.tscm.com/
Gloucester, MA 01931-8008 E-mail: mailto:jm..._at_tscm.com
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We perform bug sweeps like it's a full contact sport, we take no
prisoners,
and we give no quarter. Our goal is to simply, and completely stop the spy.
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Received on Sat Mar 02 2024 - 00:57:15 CST