About the IBA

The International Bodyguard Association was founded in December 1957 by Major Lucien Victor Ott, a highly decorated Para-Commando (Airborne Commando) veteran. Lucien Ott was born and raised within the Foreign Legion in Algeria. His grandfather served in the elite Chasseurs D'Afrique (African Raiders) and was killed in action in the Dardenelles Campaign. Lucian's father Victor served as a Conscript in the Spahi (Calvary) before joining the Foreign Legion. Victor Ott became a Senior Non-commissioned Officer (Sr NCO) in the 1st Foreign Legion Calvary Regiment; Victor was wounded in action during the Riff Wars and honourably left the service on a Disability Pension.

Lucien enlisted in the newly formed Para-Commandos (Airborne Commandos) serving in the 2nd Demi Small -Brigade Special Air Service (SAS) (Special Operations Forces) in Indochina. Then with the 8 Brigade Coloniale de Commandos Parachutistes (BCCP) (Colonial Brigade of Airborne Commandos) under Col. Bigerd. Lucien volunteered to parachute into Dien Bien Phu where he was wounded and taken prisoner by the Viet Minh. Lucien heroically escaped and later joined the Groupment de Commandos Mixtes Aeroportes (GCMA) a military Intelligence Operation organizing Montagnard resistance groups.
After the war Lucien transferred to the Deuxieme Bureau (Military Intelligence Branch). In Marseillaise he was introduced to Karate and Aiki Ju Jutsu by his friend Jim Alcheik (of the FSS) at the Yoseikan School under Tetsuji Murikami. In 1956 Lucien was tasked with reviewing the Operational Protection methods for military very important persons (VIPs). Lucien found that the methods used internationally in bodyguarding were ineffective and outdated. From this, The Lucien Ott Protection Method was born.

He called his method 'Defence & Security'. Lucien coined the phrase "Protection Rapprochee" or "Close Protection".

The Birth of the International Bodyguard Association (IBA)
Lucien V.Ott founded the International Bodyguard Association as a "Think-Tank" for Bodyguards. Lucien was fighting against terrorism in Algeria when he was selected by M. Tinet to perform as a personal Bodyguard for President Charles de Gaulle at the height of the Organization Armee Secrete (OAS) (Secret Army Organization) crisis. Under authority of General de Monssabert a group of ex-special operations forces veterans were formed as "Le Gorilles" (The Guerrillas). When Pompidou succeeded President De Gaulle "Le Gorilles" were given the option of being absorbed by the Gendarmerie (military police) or leaving.

Lucien moved to Munich, Germany where he tried his hand as a 'cascador' or stunt man. Lucien established a stunt man school. However, Soon Lucien returned to bodyguarding celebrities from the world of the cinema. Lucien was the celebrities' choice in the 70s.

Lucien Ott