How to Become an International Arms Dealer
International arms dealers are often portrayed as ruthless, greedy, and dangerous. But how can you become a real-life international arms dealer? Here are some tips on how you can get started:
- Get a Degree in International Relations or Business Administration
You don’t need a degree in international relations or business administration to become an international arms dealer, but it will help. The more schooling you have, the more likely you are to land a job with a reputable company that will train you on how to work as an international arms dealer.
- Get Your Foot in the Door at an Established Company
The best way to learn how to be an international arms dealer is by working for one! Look for companies that have been around for decades and have established themselves as leaders in their field. If they’re willing to take on new employees and train them, this is probably your best bet for learning all the ins-and-outs of the business before striking out on your own as an independent contractor (or even employee).
- Start Small and Work Your Way Up
It’s easy for companies like Lockheed Martin and BAE Systems (two of the largest manufacturers of military hardware) to hire someone who has experience working.
How To Become An International Arms Dealer
I have been associated with a few of the most prolific covert arms dealers in the world for most of my adult life. There is no University of Arms Dealing nor is there a diploma for gun-running arms around the world to war zones, hot spots, or covert operators arming guerilla fighters in cooperation with your government’s foreign policy.
Before authors like Tom Clancey or Milt Beardon or movie producers could spin tales of high adventure in Cold War settings of smuggling the newest Soviet Tanks or electronic guidance systems for air to air missiles, they had to first pattern the main characters after the men who actually did it. Before millions of readers voraciously consumed stories of bribery, daring, loading and unloading cargo ships, and deftly transferring end user certificates. There was first the real life international arms dealers dodging some of the world’s leading intelligence agents, commissioned to stop them with a license to kill. But with them at every step of the way, was their bodyguard, standing between the mission and the threat. That was how I got my start.
Without divulging names, places or breaking the given word sworn to secrecy unnecessary to make the point of this article, I may share that I enjoyed the unique experience of engaging with professional intelligence officers and agents ranging from the U.S., INTERPOL, NATO, WARSAW, MOSSAD, Saudi Kingdom and the Soviet Union, during the early 80’s into the late 90’s. I ran with former French mercenaries in African rebel held areas, alongside Israeli businessmen trading guns for diamonds. Among these associates, some we cooperated with, some we consulted, a few we misled, others we dodged trying to keep one step ahead of them to avert calamity. All of whom, we respected, none of which, we trusted. Every day you learn to live by your wits and at times enjoy the quiet satisfaction of putting the guy they sent to spy on your boss on the wrong flight to someplace else.
The art of the arms deal was taught to me by virtue of osmosis, experiences, good and bad, high anxiety, real and imagined, by men of honor and some not, but oddly self regulated, self governed by a code of gallantry that even our opponents would abide and all too often our so called allies and compatriots would abandon. Never forget, greed will kill a deal quicker than a bullet. Stupidity is likely in every new handshake. Rank and titles of nobility are not immunized from ignorance. When you least expect it, the government “apparachnick” will be the one who traded the lives of brave men and destroyed a network it took years to cultivate for the promise of a lousy promotion.
Espionage may be the second oldest profession but Arms dealing runs a close second to the first oldest profession. It being what it is, dress sharp as a rule. In the event you are killed, die well dressed. Today, the arms business is tamed compared to my experiences. Adrenalin junkies need not apply.
Defense contracting, security contractors, the bid process and small business set-asides replaced the rough and tumble days of bodyguards and gun-runners in the time of the Cold War and arming coup plots.
For now, apply for your Federal Firearms License. Go through the rigors to obtain a Defense Trade Broker’s registration number. Studiously absorb the International Traffic in Arms Regulation [ITAR]. Subscribe to the Federal Business Daily. Cultivate suppliers, shippers, exporters, bankers, contracting officers and convince them to work with you.
Resist the urge to chase the rabbit down the hole. It is always dark and the rabbit that led you into his hole is smarter than you are. If you did already, you know what I mean. If you hadn’t yet, you will not take this warning to heart, none of us ever do, but you will find out for yourself just how deep the rabbit hole can go.
Learn how to construct a bid packet, on time, in full compliance, as the low bidder, competing against the manufacturers who also quoted you. Navigate all of that until you close a deal, asking yourself repeatedly; “So, you want to be an Arms Dealer.?”
