Marine Security Guard Program

Role/Responsibility
Under the management supervision of the Diplomatic Security Service’s Regional Security Officer, a Marine Security Guard detachment’s primary mission is to provide internal security services at designated U.S. embassies and consulates in order to prevent the compromise of classified information and equipment vital to the national security of the United States. The Marine Security Guard’s secondary mission is to protect U.S. citizens and U.S. Government property located within designated U.S. Diplomatic and Consular premises during exigent circumstances, which require immediate aid or action.

Twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, all who enter the embassy or consulate must first pass a vigilant Marine standing guard at Post 1. Marine Security Guards ensure visitors and workers have proper identification as they enter and leave the embassy; and monitor surveillance devices, fire alarms and communications systems that cover the entire embassy. As part of their duties, Marine Security Guards conduct inspections where classified information and equipment is stored or used to ensure proper safeguards and to detect potential security breaches. As preparation for crises such as a fire, intruders, angry mobs, and bomb searches, Marine Security Guards regularly practice emergency REACT drills. Should an evacuation become necessary, Marine Security Guards may assist in evacuating embassy personnel and other Americans living in the country.

History

The Marine Security Guard 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 courier guards for embassies and legations, and to protect American citizens in unsettled areas.

The origins of the modern Marine Security Guard 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 Marine Security Guards overseas. These negotiations culminated in the first joint Memorandum of Agreement signed on December 15, 1948. Trained at the DOS's Foreign Service Institute, the first Marine Security Guards departed for Tangier and Bangkok on January 28, 1949. Title 10, United States Code 5983, has since replaced the authority granted in the Foreign Service Act of 1946 and the most recent Memorandum of Agreement was signed on January 9, 2001. The Marine Corps assumed the primary training responsibility in November 1954.

For more information: https://www.msgbn.usmc.mil/