Our Louisiana Shield Team is headed out on Operations in Thailand, Right Now. Please be in Prayer for a constant covering next week over this team. Please continue and reinforce the prayer of Breakthrough and Rescue for one of our Leaders. Thank you prayer warriors.
What distinguishes The Defender Foundation from almost all other organizations working in the field of Human Trafficking, is that The Defender Foundation has Shield Teams – Teams of highly trained men and women with “boots on the ground.”These teams are ready, willing, and able to go in and rescue victims right out from under the control of their captors. This is part of what we mean when we identify ourselves as being involved in “Active Activism.”
The Defender Foundation is currently accepting applications for Shield Team members. We currently have positions available for all chapters. We anticipate more Chapters opening soon, and anticipate being able to put teams together in these areas in the not-too-distant future.
Who Should Apply To Serve On A Shield Team?
Shield Team Members (both male and female), are strong, physically fit, level-headed, and able to perform well in high-stress/danger situations. Cowboy-type adrenaline junkies need not apply. The Defender Foundation is seeking quiet professionals; such as current and ex-Law Enforcement Officers; current and ex-Special Operations and Military personnel, and others who may have specialized Martial Arts or Defense training. It has been our experience that participating on a Shield Team is easier to do when you are an ex-something, rather than a current-something, due to the spontaneous nature of potential rescue missions.
If you are interested in becoming a Shield Team member, please be aware that every applicant to a Shield Team undergoes extensive background checks. If you have an arrest on your record, you may not necessarily be disqualified as a Shield Team member. When filling out your application, please be honest and forthright about your previous offense. Depending on your age at the time of the offense and the nature of the offense, you may be able to apply to the review panel for a possible exception to your circumstances. This will be determined on a case-by-case basis. No exceptions are allowed for Contact Team applicants due to the nature of their work and the close proximity they have in working with the rescued victims.
These are volunteer positions. These qualifications are desired, but exceptions are made on a case-by-case basis.
Defensive Line – The Heart of the Shield Teams
As a Shield Team member, you are responsible for the safety and security of everyone involved in a victim retrieval scenario – the victim being your highest priority. You are literally the Defensive Line on The Defender Foundation Team. We cannot stress enough that your sole mission is the successful rescue of the victim(s) and that the victim’s safety is your the ultimate priority. Once we make the decision to go in and rescue a victim, there is no leaving that victim behind … to do so would be an almost for sure death sentence to that victim. Rescues can become very intense – this is not for everyone – but for some, it will be the most fulfilling thing they ever do.
If you feel called to be on the Shield Teams and feel your experience is lacking, contact the Shield Team Director. If you are willing to train, there might be a position on the Teams for you once your training is complete.
Shield Team Applicants should be available to train monthly and to have equipment ready to rollout when called. You are not required to be available every time there is a callout, but excessive no-shows will result in a review process. You have to remember that no one else may be getting these victims; and that the Shield Team response may be their only hope. We will not let the victim down.
Fair warning, if you apply to the Shield Teams, you will be tested. The first test is fairly simple. If you are sent an application packet, turn it in. You will not be chased down by the Director or Shield Team Leaders. If you do not have enough dedication to send in your application and waiver, you are probably not needed on The Defender Foundation Shield Teams.
You should also know that there is an application fee. This is non-refundable, whether you make it or not. The types of background checks employed takes up funds we no longer can afford to spend on the checks, and work hours in speaking to your references, etc. If you make the Teams, there are Dues for the first year. These dues will stay with the Shield Team that you are assigned and will be used for your initial training, polo and Shield Team Identification. The Defender Foundation invest a lot of time and money into a Shield Team Agent. The small amount that you contribute will let us know if you are serious and helps us screen for a certain maturity level. All dues and application fees are tax deductible.
The Shield Team members are all exceptional people. Most current members are Christians. While this is not a requirement and not all members are of Faith, it is a very apparent force in the Shield Teams. Most members would describe themselves as non-religious, more followers of Christ and that this ensures they are right spiritually to carry out their Shield Teams duties more effectively. Many members believe they have been Called to be on the Teams, not just volunteers, but Followers of Christ, nonetheless. No one seeks to beat anyone over the head with their beliefs, however, and all prefer to let their faith be showcased by living it and example. Many would be happy to share their faith with you if asked but will not club you to death with it. The Shield Teams will have a Chaplain and prayer will be part of operations.
