Marine Corps Security Guard
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
A Marine Security Guard, also known as an MSG or a Marine Embassy Guard, is a U.S. Marine posted at an American Embassy, American Consulate and other foreign official United States Government offices such as the U.S Interest Section, located in Havana, Cuba, the U.S. Office, located in Pristina, Kosovo, or the United States Mission to NATO located in Brussels, Belgium. The main duty of MSG's is to provide security, particularly the protection of classified information at U.S. Diplomatic Posts. Marine Security Guards are in partnership with the Diplomatic Security Service which oversees security matters for United States Embassies, Consulates, and other State Department property, and fall under the Department of State. MSG's primarily provide internal embassy security under the guide of the Diplomatic Security Agent in charge of the Embassy, otherwise known as the Regional Security Officer (RSO). In addition, MSGs provide security for visiting American dignitaries and may assist the RSO in supervising host country security forces which provide additional security for the exterior of embassies. In addition to MSGs, many embassies have hundreds of host country security guards providing security for the exterior.
Marine Security Guard duty is one of a few special duty assignments available to qualified Marines. In the past, less than 1% of all Marines have qualified and completed this duty. Today, the assignment is available to all qualified Marines from Private to Gunnery Sergeant. Upon graduation from MSG school, Marines are assigned to an embassy, consulate or U.S. Office. They reside at a "Marine House", which is maintained at government expense, and may be on Embassy property.
Marine Security Guard duty can be dangerous; there have been instances where Marines have been killed during this duty (most recently, Sergeant Jesse Aliganga in 1998). In 1979 MSG's were also lost in a fire set by a mob at the U.S. Consulate in Karachi.
A Marine Security Guard usually serves three twelve-month tours of duty. MSG's are obligated to spend a total of 36 months on the program. Marine Detachment Commanders serve two tours of special duty which last 18 months each. Marine Security Guard "Watch Standers" are enlisted Marines from the rank of LCpl (E-3) to Sgt (E-5). Detachment Commanders are also enlisted and are from the ranks of SSgt (E-6) to MGySgt (E-9).
Along with Navy Seabees, an MSG is a rare example of uniformed member of the U.S. armed forces under the operational command of a civilian, albeit law enforcement head. An MSG is still under the administrative control of the Marine Corps, although the adminsitrative support offered through an overseas Post (i.e. State Dept.) is not insignificant in realtion to the needs of the MSG detachment.
Upon successful completion of the prescribed tour of duty as a Guard or lettered Company officer with the Marine Security Guard Battalion, a Marine is entitled to the Marine Corps Security Guard Ribbon.
