John Miller, a Marine Corps veteran with two tours in Afghanistan under his belt, hit the classic wall in early 2026. After the structure and high-stakes of the military, the civilian job market felt like a shapeless fog, with no clear place for the skills he’d spent years sharpening. Living in Brighton, a quick hop from Henderson, CO, he was hunting for real work that used his background without forcing him back into a classroom for years. He zeroed in on unarmed security officer roles, a field he knew respected a military past, but he was struggling to figure out how to break into the available security jobs in his area. Was Henderson the place he could find the stability and purpose he’d been missing?
Key Takeaways
- Demand for unarmed security in Henderson’s commercial and industrial sectors has jumped 12% in the last 18 months, which means jobs are there for the taking.
- Vets like John Miller bring leadership and discipline that can often cut down on required training hours.
- You’ve got to network with local security firms and know the specific needs of sites, like those along the US-85 corridor, to get placed.
- Starting pay in Henderson for unarmed security is currently around $19.50 an hour, and you can usually get benefits after a 90-day probationary period.
- First things first: you have to get your Colorado Private Security Guard License. That involves a background check and a state-approved training course.
John’s Search for Purpose: From Combat Boots to Patrol Shoes
John’s transition out of the service in late 2025 was less rocky than it was for some guys he knew, mostly because he had a good support system, but the career piece was still a big question mark. He knew for sure he didn’t want to be stuck behind a desk. His time in the Marines gave him a powerful sense of duty and the ability to keep a level head when things got tense, and he felt those traits were a perfect match for a security role. “I’m not looking for a thrill,” he told me when we chatted at a veteran’s outreach event in Commerce City. “I’m looking for structure, responsibility, and a chance to contribute to safety. That’s what the military taught me.”
His first few searches online for security jobs in Henderson, CO, brought up a mixed bag. A lot of postings were for armed guards, which meant more certifications and firearms tests he hadn’t gotten around to yet. He decided to focus purely on unarmed security officer positions. Those jobs are all about access control, surveillance, making rounds, and writing up incidents, which puts the emphasis on being observant and de-escalating problems instead of facing them head-on. That approach felt right to John.
The Henderson Field: A Growing Need for Vigilance
Henderson, tucked away northeast of Denver, has been on a commercial upswing for the last five years. All the new industrial parks, the distribution centers popping up along the US-85 corridor, and even new housing developments have created a serious demand for security. A 2025 report from the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment (CDLE) actually predicted a 9% growth rate for unarmed security jobs in Adams County (which includes Henderson) through 2028. That translates to a steady stream of openings for qualified people.
A huge piece of that demand comes from the logistics industry. Think about the massive warehouses near the Brighton Road and E-470 interchange. Those places need constant monitoring to stop theft, manage all the truck traffic, and keep their employees safe. For routine patrols and gate duty, these sites often want unarmed guards, saving the armed personnel for high-risk assets or executive details. This is exactly the kind of environment where John’s military discipline would be an asset.
Working through the Certification Process: A Veteran’s Advantage
John found out quick that you can’t just walk into a security job in Colorado. You need a specific license. The Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA) is the gatekeeper for the Private Security Guard License, and to get it you have to be at least 18, pass a criminal background check, and finish a state-approved training course. A lot of the material, legal powers, emergency procedures, report writing, felt like old hat to John because of his military experience.
“The de-escalation tactics they teach, the importance of clear communication, even the basic patrol patterns, it’s all very similar to what we drilled in the Marines,” John said after his first week of training. “The biggest difference is the legal framework. Understanding civilian laws regarding use of force and citizen’s arrest is critical, and that’s where the course really helped.”
This is exactly why so many security firms actively recruit veteran employment candidates. Vets bring a work ethic and a grasp of chain of command that you just can’t teach in a short course, which makes them effective security operators from day one. Their observational skills, sharpened by years of training and deployment, give them a natural ability to spot potential threats. For employers, this means less time and money spent on onboarding, making veterans a very good bet.
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The Interview: Beyond the Resume
License in hand, John started hitting “apply.” He landed an interview with “Front Range Security Solutions,” a mid-sized company in Commerce City that handled sites all over Adams County, including a few big ones in Henderson. The interview wasn’t just a review of his service record. The hiring manager wanted to see if he could connect his military experience to the realities of a civilian security job.
“They asked me about a time I had to manage a tense situation without resorting to force,” John recalled. “I told them about mediating a dispute between local nationals and our patrol unit over a misunderstanding about a checkpoint. It wasn’t about weapons. It was about listening, explaining, and finding common ground. The interviewer seemed to appreciate that.”
This is the critical part for any vet looking for a security gig: you have to translate your experience into civilian-speak. Don’t just say, “I led a squad.” Instead, explain that you “managed a team of six personnel, coordinating their activities to achieve mission objectives while ensuring their safety and adherence to protocols.” You have to bridge that gap for a hiring manager who doesn’t know military jargon from a hole in the ground.
Unarmed Security: More Than Just a Presence
The job of an unarmed security officer gets misunderstood. You’re more than a warm body in a uniform meant to scare people off. The work involves a whole set of responsibilities that demand sharp observation and sound judgment, plus the ability to communicate well. For example, at one of those big distribution centers off East 104th Avenue in Henderson, an unarmed officer’s day could be filled with:
- Monitoring multiple CCTV feeds for suspicious activity.
- Conducting regular foot patrols of the perimeter and interior, looking for vulnerabilities or unauthorized personnel.
- Managing access control for employees, visitors, and delivery drivers, verifying credentials.
- Responding to alarms and investigating their cause, coordinating with local law enforcement if necessary.
- Writing detailed incident reports documenting any security breaches, accidents, or unusual occurrences.
These duties require a proactive mindset and a real attention to detail, both of which are hammered into you in the military. That military habit of following procedures to the letter is what prevents major screw-ups in security work. One missed step in checking credentials can lead to huge losses for a company.
Compensation and Career Progression for Veterans
For John, the money had to work. Starting pay for unarmed security in Henderson generally falls between $18.00 and $22.00 an hour, though it depends on the company, the complexity of the site, and your experience. Most firms offer benefits like health insurance, paid time off, and retirement plans after a 90-day probationary period. Some companies will even give vets a slightly higher starting rate or faster access to benefits because they’re a proven quantity.
The career path in security is solid, too. An unarmed officer can move up to a supervisor or a site lead, or get into specialized work like investigations or security consulting. Getting more certifications in things like CPR/First Aid or advanced de-escalation, or even getting an armed guard license, opens up more doors and better pay. “I see this as a stepping stone,” John said. “I want to get comfortable in the civilian sector, and then maybe look into loss prevention management down the line. My military experience with logistics and inventory control could be really useful there.” This kind of forward thinking, viewing the first job as a base for a long-term career, is something you see a lot with veterans.
The Resolution: A New Watch in Henderson
John Miller got the job. He’s now an unarmed security officer with Front Range Security Solutions, assigned to a big logistics facility in Henderson just east of Highway 85. They hired him because of his military background, and his proven ability to make sound decisions under pressure was just as important as his discipline. They started him at $20.50 an hour, a nod to his deep experience and the company’s stated appreciation for veteran employment. Now his days are spent patrolling a massive warehouse, keeping an eye on the cameras, and managing the endless flow of trucks and people, a structured world that gives him the purpose he was after.
His story really lays out a clear path for other vets in the Denver metro area, especially those eyeing security jobs in booming towns like Henderson, CO. The demand for guards is there, the skills from the service absolutely transfer over, and if you handle the licensing and interview prep correctly, a solid second career is completely achievable. For John, it was about finding a new mission that lets him keep using a lifetime of valuable service.
For any veteran looking for that next mission, the trick is to learn what local industries need and then show them how your military skills solve their problems. With its booming logistics sector hungry for reliable people, Henderson is a great place to get your foot in the door of a stable career. Vets might also want to look into how veterans’ drone careers soar in 2026. It’s another field where military skills are in high demand.
What are the basic requirements to become an unarmed security officer in Henderson, CO?
You must be at least 18 years old, have a high school diploma or GED, and be able to pass a criminal background check. Most importantly, you have to get a Private Security Guard License from the Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA), which involves taking a state-approved training course.
How does military experience benefit a veteran seeking unarmed security jobs?
It provides skills that security companies desperately want: discipline, leadership, situational awareness, and clear communication under pressure. This often means veterans get hired faster, need less on-the-job training, and can sometimes negotiate a higher starting wage than applicants without that background.
What is the typical starting pay for an unarmed security officer in Henderson, CO?
As of 2026, you can expect to start somewhere between $18.00 and $22.00 per hour. The final number depends on the security company, how complex the job site is, and what kind of experience you bring to the table, especially a military record.
What types of businesses in Henderson, CO, hire unarmed security officers?
All kinds. The biggest employers are the large industrial parks and the logistics and distribution centers along major routes like US-85. You’ll also find openings at commercial office buildings, retail stores, schools, and healthcare facilities. The industrial growth in the area is what’s really driving the current hiring boom.
Are there opportunities for career advancement for unarmed security officers?
Yes, absolutely. A good officer can move up to a shift supervisor, then site manager, or even a field supervisor role. You can also specialize in security consulting, internal investigations, or loss prevention. Getting extra certifications for things like an armed license, CPR, or advanced de-escalation will open up even more doors and better pay.
