Get an inside look at how the Marine Corps trains its security guards to guard more than 175 embassies around the world.
As a forward-deployed force, the United States Marine Corps Security Guards are expected to maintain a high level of readiness. Their mission is to protect mission personnel and prevent the compromise of national security information and equipment at designated consular and diplomatic facilities.
And they do it well.
History of Marine Security Guard Detail
The USMC has participated in internal security and protection of United States Embassies and Consulates since 1948.
In 1950, Marine Security Guards helped evacuate US citizens at the embassy in Seoul, South Korea during the invasion by North Korea.
And Marine Security Guards protected the US embassy in Vietnam during the Tet Offensive of 1968.
Marine Security Guards continue to defend diplomacy in more than 150 countries during dangerous scenarios like revolutions, terrorist attacks, and even natural disasters.
Mission of a Marine Security Guard
Marine Security Guards are primarily tasked with protecting mission personnel and preventing the compromise of national security information and equipment at designated diplomatic and consular facilities like U.S. Embassies in foreign countries.
Marine Security Guards deploy for 3 years and have the opportunity to serve at 3 separate locations in about 181 locations around the world.
More than 50 of those locations are eligible for hazardous duty pay, imminent danger pay, and even combat tax exclusion pay.
Security Guards protect mission essential personnel and equipment through security inspections, checkpoints, and access control while utilizing advanced security equipment like HD cameras and even biometrics.
Most importantly, they are trained to respond during a crisis to protect and evacuate embassy personnel and United States citizens during intrusions, bomb threats, terrorist attacks, and war.
Check out the video to learn more about US Marine Security Guard training!