HOW TO PASS THE WPS-III PSS TRAINING COURSE (AND AVOID THAT CRAPPY COACH SEAT HOME)

INTRODUCTION: NO ONE CARES ABOUT YOUR RESUME

If you’re reading this, you’re probably gearing up for one of the toughest pre-deployment courses out there. The WPS-III Personnel Security Specialist (PSS) course doesn’t care about your resume, your last contract, or how “tactical” you think you are. You either pass—or you’re booking a sad flight home in a cramped coach seat, wondering where it all went wrong.

Here’s how to avoid that.

WHAT IS THE WPS-III PSS TRAINING COURSE?

The Worldwide Protective Services III (WPS-III) Personnel Security Specialist (PSS) training course is a demanding pre-deployment program designed for security contractors preparing for high-risk assignments in challenging environments. It’s not just a box to check, it’s a course designed to expose weaknesses.

WHY DO SO MANY CANDIDATES FAIL?

Failure rates are high because many candidates show up overconfident and underprepared, assuming their prior experience alone will carry them through. Spoiler: it won’t.

Guys with impressive resumes fail because they think they are too good to prepare. This course doesn’t care if you are an ex-cop, a former soldier, or have cool photos on Instagram with guns. It only cares if you can perform.

HOW TO AVOID FAILING

Below are the three main reasons security contractors fail the WPS-III PSS pre-deployment course, along with advice to avoid going back home sad in a crappy coach seat.

3 MAIN REASONS CANDIDATES FAIL WPS-III PSS PRE-DEPLOYMENT

REASON 1: LACK OF PHYSICAL FITNESS

Why You’ll Fail If You’re Out of Shape

You don’t need to be an Olympic athlete. “Decent shape” is enough. Think average fitness for an active adult. But if you’re winded walking up stairs, we’ve got a problem.

The WPS-III Physical Readiness Test: No Excuses

You must pass the WPS-III Physical Readiness Test at the 65th percentile. This isn’t an impossible standard. In fact, it’s embarrassingly basic if you’ve been maintaining even moderate fitness.

1.5-mile run: 11:30 (for men in their 30s)
Push-ups/Sit-ups: Standards vary by age, but nothing extraordinary.

If You Fail the PT Test

This is the one area where I have zero sympathy. You’re signing up for a job that pays six figures to work in places like Iraq. If you can’t pass a low-bar fitness test, you shouldn’t be there.

PHYSICAL FITNESS ADVICE

Read: WPS-III Attachment 15 Physical Readiness Testing Protocols and Standards.
Find: Your age category and required minimums for:
Push-ups
Sit-ups
1.5-mile run
If you can’t pass all three back-to-back:
Go to your local gym.
Hire a trainer.
Tell them your fitness goals.
Stick with the plan—they’ll get you in shape in a couple of months.

**Even a baby can hit a target with a brick at 25 Yards. Source:** ChatGPT. Created by Dutch Park

REASON 2: INSUFFICIENT HANDGUN AND MACHINE GUN SKILLS

THE TWO WEAPONS QUALIFICATIONS THAT CAUSE THE MOST FAILURES ARE:

Glock 19
M249 SAW (Squad Automatic Weapon)

THE GLOCK 19: YOU’RE NOT AS GOOD AS YOU THINK

You’ll shoot out to 25 yards from:
Standing
Kneeling
Prone
I’ve seen people fail because they assumed shooting a pistol was like riding a bike. It’s not.
25 yards isn’t far, but under stress, fatigue, and pressure, it feels like a mile.

COMMON GLOCK FAILURE REASONS:

Never practiced shooting prone
Poor trigger control
Stress from having 50 guys watching
Heat, dehydration, or fatigue
Just plain arrogance

THE M249 SAW: WHY IT’S A DIFFERENT BEAST

You’ll shoot prone, in bursts, at Izzy targets (different from silhouette targets—buy some and practice).

Failures here make more sense, especially for those who’ve never fired a belt-fed machine gun.

IF YOU’RE SERIOUS ABOUT PASSING:

Learn the manual of arms: loading, unloading, charging, safety, etc.
Practice malfunction clearing—these old SAWs jam often.
Pro tip: Dig in the bipod legs, and apply pressure to the buttpad to stabilize.

WEAPONS TRAINING ADVICE

FOR THE GLOCK 19:

Hit the range and practice:
Standing, kneeling, prone at 25 yards
On Izzy targets
Hire an instructor—yes, even if you’re “experienced.”
Aim for 95% accuracy under ideal conditions. This will help you “barely pass” when you’re hot, tired, and under stress.

For the M249 SAW:

Learn the basics: manual of arms, clearing malfunctions, and basic machine gun terms.
Get hands-on time:
Machine Guns Vegas rents SAWs with instructor guidance ($95 per 40 rounds).
It might be worth a trip—spend $1,000 now, make six figures later.
Watch YouTube tutorials on M249 operation.

REASON 3: UNDERLYING MEDICAL OR HEALTH ISSUES

CANDIDATES FAIL MEDICAL EVALUATIONS FOR TWO REASONS:

UNDIAGNOSED HEALTH CONDITIONS
The stress of physical exertion, heat, and dehydration can reveal conditions you didn’t even know you had. Don’t find out the hard way.
PRE-EXISTING CONDITIONS
Even if your personal doctor cleared you, the pre-deployment medical team might disqualify you for conditions they see as deployment risks.

MEDICAL ADVICE

Get a full physical before attending the course—especially if you’ve been avoiding the doctor.

SIMULATE A HIGH-STRESS DAY:

Wake up at 5 AM.
No naps.
At 5 PM, do the full PT test.
Head to the range for pistol quals.
See how your body handles the stress.
Bring a buddy—don’t stroke out alone on your uncle’s farm.

COMMON MISTAKES THAT GET PEOPLE SENT HOME

Not training in prone shooting positions
Assuming "range time from years ago" is enough
Ignoring hydration during long qualification days
Underestimating stress and performance anxiety
Skipping basic medical check-ups
Showing up thinking, "I’ve got this," without preparation

**Don’t be a dummy and not prepare.** Source: ChatGPT. Created by Dutch Park

LET’S SUM THINGS UP

Congratulations on landing a WPS contract—that’s a huge step. Back in my day, you needed four years of sworn law enforcement or active-duty military just to apply (maybe two—I forget). It didn’t matter if you had five years of contractor experience in Iraq; there were zero exceptions.

I’m glad they’ve loosened those restrictions. They were missing out on some seriously qualified candidates because of arbitrary rules.

FINAL ADVICE:

Don’t show up out of shape.
Don’t assume you’re a natural marksman.

Good luck, and don’t be that guy explaining why you’re flying home in coach.

RESOURCES

WPS-III Physical Readiness Standards: [Attachment 15 Guidelines]
Machine Guns Vegas: Rent M249 SAW for hands-on practice
How to Operate a M249 SAW on YouTube
YouTube Channels: Search “M249 SAW Operation” for tutorials
Izzy Targets: Available on Amazon
Basic Fitness Apps: MyFitnessPal, StrongLifts, or Fitbod for PT prep
Local Ranges: Use Google to find “M249 SAW shooting range near me”
AR 190-56 has almost identical pre-deployment standards

AVOID COMMON PITFALLS IN WPS-III PSS TRAINING: A SECURITY CONTRACTORS PREPARATION GUIDE