Mission: Marine Security Guards provide security services to selected Department of State Foreign Service posts to prevent the compromise of classified material and equipment and to provide protection for United States citizens and United States Government property. The Marine Security Guard Battalion exercises command, less operational control, of these Marines, in that it is responsible for their training, assignments, administration, logistical support, and discipline.

(* Mission is the general term for embassy, consulate or legation; commonly referred to as a "post".)

MSGs focus on the interior security of a diplomatic post's building(s). In only the most extreme emergency situations are they authorized duties exterior to the building(s) or to provide special protection to the senior diplomatic officer off of the diplomatic compound. MSGs carry a certain level of diplomatic immunity in the performance of their official duties.

The MSG Program in its current form has been in place since December 1948, but the Marine Corps has a long history of cooperation with the Department of State (DOS) going back to the early days of the Nation. From the raising of the United States flag at Derna, Tripoli and the secret mission of Archibald Gillespie in California, to the 55 days at Peking, Marines have served many times on special missions as couriers, guards for embassies and legations, and to protect American citizens in unsettled areas.

The origins of the modern MSG Program began with the Foreign Service Act of 1946 which stated that the Secretary of Navy is authorized, upon the request of the Secretary of State, to assign enlisted Marines to serve as custodians under the supervision of the senior diplomatic officer at an embassy, legation, or consulate. Using this Act, the DOS and Marine Corps entered into negotiations to establish the governing provisions for assigning MSGs overseas. These negotiations culminated in the first joint Memorandum of Agreement signed on 15 December 1948. Trained at the DOS's Foreign Service Institute, the first MSGs departed for Tangier and Bangkok on 28 January 1949. The authority granted in the Foreign Service Act of 1946 has since been replaced by Title 10, United States Code 5983 and the most recent Memorandum of Agreement was signed on 6 March 1997. The Marine Corps assumed the primary training responsibility in November 1954.

ORGANIZATION

There is a joint working relationship between MSG Battalion and DOS. The detachment commander reports to the battalion commander via the company commander in the administrative chain of command. In the operational chain of command, he reports to the Chief of Mission** via the Regional Security Officer⁺ or Post Security Officer⁺. The joint Memorandum of Agreement governs these relationships.

^(** Chief of Mission refers to the senior United States Diplomatic officer. This is normally an Ambassador or Consulate General.)

(⁺ Regional Security Officers (RSO) are Diplomatic Security Special Agents. They are at the majority of missions with MSG detachments. At those posts without an RSO, one of the embassy staff is assigned the collateral duty of Post Security Officer (PSO).)

The battalion commander reports to the Director of Operations (PO) at Headquarters Marine Corps (HQMC). MSG Battalion currently fields over 1000 Marines at 121 Detachments organized into seven regional MSG companies and located in over 105 countries. Headquarters Company and Battalion Headquarters is located aboard Marine Corps Base Quantico, Virginia. The MSG School is part of Headquarters Company.

The Company A Headquarters is located in Frankfurt, Germany and is responsible for 20 detachments in Eastern Europe. This company is expanding as the DOS plans to activate MSG detachments in the states of the former Soviet Union. Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina is the latest addition to Company A.

The Company B Headquarters is located in Nicosia, Cyprus and is responsible for 18 detachments in northern Africa and the Middle East.

The Company C Headquarters is located in Bangkok, Thailand and is responsible for 18 detachments located in the Far East, Asia and Australia. Hanoi, Vietnam and Vladivostok, Russia are the newest additions to this company.

The Company D Headquarters is located in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. Company D is the largest company with 26 detachments in Central and South America and the Caribbean.

The Company E Headquarters is located, along with Company A, in Frankfurt, Germany. Company E has 16 detachments in Western Europe and Ottawa, Canada.

The Company F Headquarters is located in Nairobi, Kenya and is responsible for 11 detachments in Sub-Saharan Africa.

The Company G Headquarters is located in Abidjan, Cote d'Ivoire and is responsible for 12 detachments in Western Africa.

Headquarters Company is composed of approximately 100 Marines providing administrative, logistical, legal, training and education support to the Marines around the globe.

Located within Headquarters Company, the mission of MSG School is to select, train, and screen Marines from any Military Occupational Specialty, male or female, for MSG duty. The School is eight weeks for detachment commanders and six weeks for sergeants and below. It is tough, intense, and grueling. While the 30-35% attrition rate is the highest of any Marine Corps school, the result is that attrition from the field is only 2-3%. This speaks volumes to the quality of the Marines serving on MSG duty. For more information on what it takes to become a Marine Security Guard, see MSG SCHOOL.

OPERATIONS

MSG companies are commanded by a Marine lieutenant colonel. The company headquarters normally consists of two company-grade officers (first lieutenants or captains), a First Sergeant, an administration chief and two clerks. The company's mission is to ensure that administrative and training standards are maintained, as well as to advise the diplomatic posts in their region on the proper employment of MSGs. The company officers and First Sergeant visit each MSG detachment at least four times every year. They not only conduct formal inspections, but observe detachment morale and meet with post officials. The results of the inspections are forwarded to the DOS.

At a diplomatic post, the detachment commander and RSO form the Post Security Team. Their relationship is the key to the security program's success. The RSO is overall responsible for all internal and external security programs, as well as all background and criminal investigations. The detachment commander is ultimately responsible to the Chief of Mission, but normally reports to the RSO on day-to-day issues. At larger posts with several RSOs, the detachment may report to one of the Assistant RSOs.

The detachment commanders are responsible for the operation of the detachment and are considered "commanders" by the Marine Corps. This is a unique distinction because it is one of the very few times a staff noncommissioned officer (SNCO) can officially carry this title. Detachment commanders can be staff sergeants (E-6) through master sergeants (E-8). Unlike the individual MSGs, the detachment commanders can be married. Detachment commanders need not have had a previous tour as an MSG, though many have. Being a detachment commander is one of three "special duty" assignments that an enlisted Marine generally needs in order to have a successful career. The other two special duties are recruiting and drill instructor.

Detachment size is based on the individual diplomatic post's requirements. The local threat level, the size and layout of the building(s), and the amount of workday business are all taken into account when determining the number and frequency of MSG security posts. The minimum detachment size is one detachment commander and five MSGs (referred to as a "1 and 5" or "1/5"). This allows them to man one security post 24 hours per day, 365 days per year, while keeping the duty hours at a reasonable level so that the MSGs can conduct other routine training, internal management of the detachment, and have some time off. Diplomatic posts that require more than one security post have proportionally more MSGs. Approximately 40% of the Battalion's detachments are 1/5, 40% are between 1/6 and 1/10, and the remaining 20% are larger than 1/10. The largest detachment is in Cairo with two SNCOs and 28 MSGs. Detachments with more than 17 MSGs are assigned two SNCOs; one is the detachment commander and the other the assistant detachment commander.

"Post 1" is the name of the primary interior security post. It is normally in the lobby or main entrance of the building housing the Chief of Mission. Post 1 is the principal command station for all access control to the building. It is equipped with closed circuit televisions, radios, intrusion detection and fire alarm controls. Residing behind bulletproof glass, the MSGs survey the personnel traffic and monitor the various security displays around the clock.

At the larger diplomatic posts, additional security positions are labeled Post 2, Post 3, etc. They may be manned 24 hours per day every day or just during normal business hours. They could have a full compliment of security displays and equipment similar to Post 1 or they could be a roving security watch after the embassy has closed.

MSGs must always be prepared to conduct reaction drills, called "Reacts", to their embassy for emergencies such as fires, bomb threats, bombs, intruders, riots and demonstrations. Upon reaching the embassy, they assemble in the "React Room" to receive orders and direction from the detachment commander. This room provides not only a storage area for weapons, ammunition, and personal protective equipment, but a safe and secure position to suit-up for the React situation. Each potential React scenario is practiced and has its own standardized drill from which the MSGs can modify to fit the actual situation.

In addition to the normal duties carried out at their home detachment, MSGs are sent on temporary additional duty to protect classified material during official Presidential, Vice Presidential, or Secretary of State visits overseas. Normally, MSGs man a security post in a hotel which the DOS and Secret Service Special Agents use as an operations center. MSGs wear civilian coat and tie while performing this duty.

LIFE OF A MARINE SECURITY GUARD

MSG duty is considered a "good deal" by the Marines in the Corps. They have an increased opportunity for promotion, live in conditions better than most Marines in the Fleet Marine Force, and get the opportunity to live in places they likely would not if they weren't an MSG.

After graduating from the School, an MSG can expect two 15-month tours. There are some 12-month hardship tours. Detachment commanders will have two 18-month tours. MSGs can take Continuous Overseas Tour (COT) Leave between their tours. Many return to the United States for their COT leave, but more than a few spend it traveling overseas.

Ultimately, MSGs and detachment commanders are assigned to a detachment based on the needs of the Battalion, however, their preferences, any geographic restrictions, and input from the company commanders are factored into the assignment decision. Additionally, the Battalion uses a lineal quality of life ranking of all the detachments to ensure that an MSG that had a more austere first tour will get a "better" second tour and vice versa. Finally, some MSGs are further screened and nominated to serve at selected special duty diplomatic posts.

The majority of the Marines live in the civilian community in a house referred to as the "Marine House". Each gets their own bedroom and often their own bathroom. The detachment manages its own mess fund to ensure adequate nutrition for all. Every Marine House is equipped with exercise facilities and areas to host social events. Some houses even have a swimming pool or large lawn for organized athletics or large gatherings. The MSGs also take advantage of the Armed Forces Radio and Television Service and the Naval Motion Picture Service to watch current shows and movies.

An MSG detachment is involved in every facet of life within the American community they serve. Whether hosting social events, sponsoring local community activities, or just generally adding to the rich experience of living overseas, our MSGs are indeed "Ambassadors in Blue." Recent events, however, have clearly highlighted the true benefit and mission of the MSGs. The unplanned and unexpected evacuation of the embassies in Freetown, Sierra Leone (May 1997) and Brazzaville, Congo (June 1997) were greatly facilitated by the actions of the detachments. Whether organizing convoys to the airport, destroying classified equipment, or providing protection to embassy personnel, the MSGs of these detachments where uniformly praised for their actions.

While these two evacuations are at the extreme end of the mission continuum, MSG detachments are called upon every day to react to the embassies for crowd demonstrations, fires, intruder and bomb threats. Many an American citizen in trouble overseas has been calmed and reassured in the middle of the night when in calling the embassy, they hear "This is Post 1, American Embassy, Sergeant Striker, how may I help you?" .

SUMMARY

As the MSG Program enters its 50th year, it remains as strong and vital as ever. The close cooperation between the Marine Corps and the DOS at every level is nothing short of superb. It is to the great benefit of not only both organizations, but to the Nation's security, that the MSG Program continue. However, everyone associated with the Program realizes that MSG duty can be dangerous. Our diplomatic missions, and particularly our MSGs, are visible symbols of the United States. Since 1968, 11 MSGs have died in the line of duty defending missions, personnel and classified material at embassies and consulates around the world.