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Marine Security Guard

The Marine Security Guard (MSG) is a specialized detachment of the United States Marine Corps tasked with providing internal security at over 170 American embassies, consulates, and diplomatic missions worldwide, primarily focused on safeguarding classified national security information, equipment, and personnel from compromise.^[1]^[2] MSGs, drawn from enlisted Marines screened for reliability and aptitude, undergo rigorous training at the Marine Security Guard School in Quantico, Virginia, emphasizing defensive tactics, alarm systems, and protocol adherence under the oversight of the Marine Corps Embassy Security Group (MCESG).^[3]^[4] Established in its modern form on December 20, 1948, following post-World War II embassy protection needs, the MSG program builds on a longer tradition of Marine-State Department collaboration dating back to the early 20th century, with formal detachments authorized by Congress to ensure diplomatic operations in hostile environments.^[5]^[6] MSGs operate under the Vienna Convention framework, coordinating with Regional Security Officers but maintaining non-combatant status, restricting their role to post interiors unless external threats necessitate evacuation protocols.^[7] Their duties include continuous watchstanding, access control, and emergency response drills, serving one-year tours that demand cultural adaptation and unyielding discipline in diverse global postings.^[8] The program's defining characteristic lies in its low-profile yet critical deterrence against espionage and intrusion, with MSGs credited for maintaining the integrity of sensitive U.S. operations across "every clime and place" without systemic lapses in classified material protection over decades of service.^[9] Notable historical engagements, such as defensive stands during embassy crises, underscore their role in enabling uninterrupted diplomacy, though operational constraints have occasionally exposed limitations in broader perimeter defense scenarios.^[5]^[6] As the sole military branch entrusted with this mandate, MSGs embody the Marine Corps' expeditionary ethos adapted to ceremonial and custodial vigilance.^[10]

History

Origins and Establishment

The Marine Security Guard program traces its formal origins to the Foreign Service Act of 1946, which authorized the Secretary of the Navy to detail members of the armed forces, upon request by the Secretary of State, to perform guard duty at U.S. diplomatic and consular establishments abroad.^[5] This legislative measure addressed post-World War II security needs for American missions, building on a longstanding but informal tradition of U.S. Marines providing protection for diplomats dating back to the 19th century, such as during the legation guard duties in the late 1800s.^[11] The program's official establishment occurred in 1948 through a memorandum of agreement between the U.S. Department of State and the U.S. Marine Corps, formalizing the assignment of Marine detachments to overseas posts for primarily ceremonial and physical security roles.^[11] Initial training for these guards was conducted at the Department of State's Foreign Service Institute, emphasizing protocols for embassy protection amid emerging Cold War threats.^[5] The first Marine Security Guard detachments deployed on January 28, 1949, to U.S. embassies in Tangier, Morocco, and Bangkok, Thailand, marking the operational inception of the program with small units focused on safeguarding classified information and personnel.^[5]^[12] These early postings established the template for subsequent expansions, prioritizing non-combatant security in foreign environments where host-nation forces might be unreliable or absent.^[5] By assuming primary training responsibilities from the State Department in November 1954, the Marine Corps further solidified the program's institutional framework.^[2]

Key Developments and Expansions

The Marine Security Guard program formalized its operational structure through the Memorandum of Agreement signed on December 15, 1948, between the U.S. Department of State and the Department of the Navy, authorizing the assignment of Marine detachments to diplomatic posts.^[5] The first such detachments, consisting of Marines initially trained at the Foreign Service Institute, deployed to Tangier, Morocco, and Bangkok, Thailand, on January 28, 1949, establishing the program's early footprint at key overseas missions.^[5] By November 1954, the Marine Corps assumed primary responsibility for MSG training from the State Department, enhancing standardization and military oversight of the curriculum focused on internal security protocols.^[5] Early operational expansions included active roles in crisis response, such as the 1950 assistance by MSGs in evacuating U.S. citizens from the embassy in Seoul amid the North Korean invasion at the outset of the Korean War.^[1] The program's legal foundation evolved with the 2008 Memorandum of Agreement, signed on March 13, codifying ongoing cooperation under Title 10, United States Code, Section 5983, which empowers the Secretary of the Navy to detail Marines for diplomatic security upon State Department request.^[5] A major expansion followed the September 11, 2012, attack on the U.S. diplomatic compound in Benghazi, Libya, prompting Congress to mandate an increase of approximately 1,000 MSGs—nearly doubling the force from about 1,200 billets to over 2,000—to bolster embassy security amid broader post-war Marine Corps drawdowns.^[13] This growth necessitated the creation of the Marine Security Guard Security Augmentation Unit within the Marine Corps Embassy Security Group, enabling rapid, temporary reinforcements to detachments at high-risk posts and expanding coverage to 182 embassies and consulates worldwide.^[14]

Organization and Administration

Command Structure

The Marine Corps Embassy Security Group (MCESG), headquartered at Marine Corps Base Quantico, Virginia, serves as the primary administrative and training command for the Marine Security Guard (MSG) program.^[3] The MCESG Commanding Officer, currently Colonel Clifford S. Magee, exercises command authority—excluding operational control—over all MSG personnel, detachments, and regional commands, with responsibilities encompassing screening, formal training, assignment, administration, and logistical support.^[3]^[15] This structure ensures standardized readiness while deferring day-to-day tactical decisions to diplomatic leadership at overseas posts.^[15] MCESG oversees nine regional commands distributed globally, each led by a Commanding Officer responsible for the administration, training, logistical support, readiness, and discipline of MSG detachments within their geographic area.^[15] These regional commanders report directly to the MCESG Commanding Officer and provide advisory input to Chiefs of Mission through Regional Security Officers (RSOs), facilitating coordination between military and diplomatic elements.^[15] Additionally, the Marine Security Guard Security Augmentation Unit (MSAU) operates under MCESG to deliver rapid reinforcement to detachments during heightened threats or crises.^[3] At individual diplomatic facilities, each MSG detachment is led by a Detachment Commander, typically a staff non-commissioned officer (such as a gunnery sergeant or staff sergeant), who is assigned by the MCESG Commanding Officer.^[15] The Detachment Commander supervises the guard force's execution of security protocols, maintains equipment, and ensures compliance with post-specific orders.^[15] Administratively, detachments align under their respective regional commands, but operational control resides with the Chief of Mission or Principal Officer at the post, exercised via the RSO who directly supervises MSG activities to align with broader embassy security objectives.^[15] This dual-chain arrangement—administrative under MCESG and operational under State Department authority—balances Marine Corps standards with diplomatic imperatives.^[15]

Marine Corps Embassy Security Group

The Marine Corps Embassy Security Group (MCESG), headquartered at Marine Corps Base Quantico, Virginia, administers the Marine Security Guard (MSG) program under the United States Marine Corps.^[3] Its core mission encompasses screening candidates for MSG duty, delivering specialized training, assigning personnel to U.S. diplomatic facilities abroad, and providing ongoing administrative, logistical, and readiness support to maintain security postures.^[3] Established on July 17, 1950, as the Marine Corps Guards, State Department, Casual Company in Arlington, Virginia, MCESG has evolved to manage over 1,000 trained officers and enlisted Marines dedicated to embassy protection roles.^[7]^[16] MCESG's organizational structure features a central headquarters, the Marine Security Guard School for initial and refresher training, and geographically delineated regional commands that supervise detachments at approximately 180 U.S. embassies, consulates, and other posts worldwide.^[17] These regions include Region 1 (Eastern Europe and Eurasia), Region 3 (Western Hemisphere - North), Region 4 (Western Hemisphere - South), Region 6 (Eastern and Southern Africa), Region 8 (Near East and South Asia), Region 9 (Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean), among others, each led by a regional administrator or commanding officer responsible for oversight, rotation scheduling, and crisis coordination.^[18]^[19]^[20] In response to the September 11, 2012, attack on the U.S. diplomatic compound in Benghazi, Libya, MCESG activated the Marine Security Guard Security Augmentation Unit (MSAU) to bolster capabilities for rapid deployment.^[1] MSAU, based at Quantico, specializes in providing periodic or emergency reinforcements to MSG detachments facing heightened threats or staffing shortages, enabling surge support without disrupting standard rotations.^[14] This unit enhances MCESG's flexibility in addressing dynamic security environments, drawing from a pool of qualified Marines for short-term assignments.^[21]

Selection and Training

Eligibility and Selection

Eligibility for assignment as a Marine Security Guard requires enlisted Marines to satisfy rigorous prerequisites designed to verify physical, disciplinary, financial, and professional fitness for safeguarding U.S. diplomatic facilities overseas. Candidates must be United States citizens by birth or naturalization and, if applicable, willing to renounce dual citizenship.^[4] They must hold the rank of lance corporal (E-3) to gunnery sergeant (E-7), though private first class (E-2) may qualify with a waiver from the Commandant of the Marine Corps for those deemed mature or otherwise suitable.^[4] Applicants are required to be unmarried without dependents, prohibiting single parents with sole custody.^[4] Disciplinary standards limit candidates to no more than one non-judicial punishment (NJP) and exclude those with civilian convictions.^[4] Financial responsibility is mandatory, barring Marines with significant debts or patterns of fiscal irresponsibility.^[4] Physical fitness demands adherence to height and weight standards, complemented by complete medical and dental qualifications, including up-to-date vaccinations.^[4]^[22] Security clearance eligibility for Top Secret level is essential, typically requiring an adjudicated Secret clearance as a baseline.^[4] Professional evaluations stipulate Job Evaluation Performance Evaluation System (JEPES) proficiency marks of 2.0 or higher across all categories.^[4] Selected Marines incur an obligated service commitment of 38 months upon reporting to Marine Security Guard School, comprising 36 months in the program plus two months of training.^[4] The selection process commences when a Marine contacts their unit's career planner to request MSG duty, prompting initiation of a formal application package.^[22] The career planner facilitates preparation of required endorsements, including commanding officer certification of the applicant's suitability via standardized forms such as NAVPERS 1300/16 Part III, which verifies medical screening and overall fitness for overseas transfer.^[23]^[22] Commanding officers conduct thorough reviews to confirm compliance with all prerequisites before forwarding packages to the Marine Corps Embassy Security Group (MCESG).^[23] MCESG evaluates submissions through a phased approach, beginning with a Recruitment, Advertising, and Screening Team (RAST) briefing followed by completion of Phase I and II documentation; qualified candidates advance to Phase III, involving watchstander or detachment commander-specific forms.^[4] Periodically, Marine Corps-wide directed screenings identify eligible personnel for MSG billets, prioritizing those with requisite time in service—typically 18 to 24 months at current station.^[24]^[22] Final selection grants attendance at Marine Security Guard School, where performance determines assignment to diplomatic posts.^[4] Marines with revoked or denied clearances are ineligible at any stage.^[4]

Training Curriculum and Protocols

The Marine Security Guard School, situated at Marine Corps Base Quantico in Virginia, delivers an eight-week training regimen to qualify enlisted Marines and select officers for duty as Marine Security Guards.^[2] This program, jointly administered by the U.S. Marine Corps and Department of State, instills protocols centered on safeguarding classified information, personnel, and facilities at diplomatic missions while adhering to host nation laws and rules of engagement that prioritize de-escalation and minimal force.^[25]^[15] Core curriculum components encompass interior guard standing procedures, which detail watch rotations, access controls, and patrol routines within chanceries and official residences to detect and deter unauthorized entry.^[10] Trainees receive specialized firearms instruction on handguns, shotguns, and rifles, emphasizing precision marksmanship, weapons retention, and low-light engagements under the Memorandum of Understanding governing Marine-State coordination.^[25] Defensive tactics training covers hand-to-hand combat, restraint techniques, and crowd control methods tailored to non-lethal responses in confined embassy environments.^[25] Security equipment protocols include operation and maintenance of intrusion detection systems, closed-circuit television, and safe combination locks, with hands-on drills simulating equipment failures during heightened threats.^[25] Response protocols form a critical phase, training Marines in reactionary force tactics for immediate countermeasures against intrusions, such as coordinated room-clearing and barrier reinforcement.^[10] Scenario-based exercises replicate real-world contingencies, including terrorist assaults, civil unrest, and evacuations, integrating tactics, techniques, and procedures derived from Department of State contingency plans.^[25] Chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear defense modules teach detection, decontamination, and shelter-in-place protocols to mitigate hazardous exposures without compromising post security.^[26] Fire escape and emergency egress training ensures rapid, orderly personnel movement during fires or structural breaches, evaluated through timed simulations.^[27] Throughout the course, emphasis is placed on cultural awareness, diplomatic protocol, and coordination with Regional Security Officers, culminating in comprehensive assessments where failure rates reflect rigorous standards—approximately 20-30% attrition based on historical class data—to verify operational readiness prior to overseas assignment.^[28] Protocols mandate ongoing refresher training post-graduation, including annual Familiarization Training at posts to adapt to site-specific vulnerabilities.^[15]

Responsibilities and Operations

Core Duties at Diplomatic Posts

Marine Security Guards (MSGs) at U.S. diplomatic posts are tasked primarily with preventing the compromise of classified U.S. government information and equipment, while providing internal security to protect mission personnel and facilities.^[7] ^[1] This internal focus distinguishes MSGs from external perimeter security, which is handled by other forces such as local guards or Diplomatic Security Service agents.^[29] Key duties include controlling access to sensitive areas within embassies and consulates, such as vaults containing classified documents and communications equipment. MSGs enforce strict security protocols, verifying credentials and conducting searches to mitigate espionage risks. They perform regular inspections and sweeps of classified spaces to detect unauthorized surveillance devices or breaches, ensuring compliance with security standards.^[30] MSGs maintain continuous surveillance through monitoring alarm systems, closed-circuit television, and intrusion detection equipment, often in coordination with the Regional Security Officer (RSO), who serves as their operational supervisor. In the event of internal threats or emergencies, they are prepared to respond with non-lethal force to neutralize intruders while safeguarding personnel. These guards operate on a 24-hour duty cycle, seven days a week, adapting to high-threat environments without compromising diplomatic functions.^[31] ^[6] ^[32] Their role extends to supporting the RSO in routine security operations, such as escorting classified materials and participating in emergency drills, thereby contributing to the overall resilience of diplomatic missions against intelligence threats. MSGs do not engage in offensive operations but prioritize deterrence and rapid internal response to uphold the integrity of U.S. foreign policy execution.^[33] ^[3]

Rules of Engagement and Response Procedures

The rules of engagement (ROE) for Marine Security Guards are specified in post-specific guard orders, drafted by the Regional Security Officer (RSO) and reviewed annually with the Marine Corps Embassy Security Group (MCESG) Regional Commander. These orders authorize the employment of deadly force and non-lethal force to protect diplomatic mission personnel and to prevent the compromise of classified national security information.^[15] The ROE adopt a primarily defensive orientation, prioritizing the security of the chancery building and its sensitive contents over external engagements.^[15] Guard orders detail protocols for access control, force application, and post inspections, with special orders issued by the RSO for urgent scenarios such as civil disturbances, bomb threats, or evacuations.^[15] MSGs carry firearms and other authorized weapons during official duties, subject to RSO oversight and chief of mission approval for storage in living quarters.^[15] Response procedures emphasize rapid detection and reaction to threats, including facility intrusions, demonstrations, fires, and nuclear/biological/chemical incidents. Upon alert, MSGs implement contingency plans directed by the chief of mission through the RSO, which may involve securing areas, conducting searches for intruders, or supporting evacuations.^[15]^[34] Training incorporates interior guard techniques, reactionary force tactics, and decision-making for escalating or de-escalating force based on threat levels. Coordination with the RSO ensures integration of MSG actions into broader post security measures, with drills conducted to maintain proficiency.^[15]

Notable Deployments and Incidents

During the Tet Offensive on January 31, 1968, Marine Security Guards at the U.S. Embassy in Saigon, South Vietnam, repelled a Viet Cong assault, marking one of the earliest major combat engagements for the program; Corporal James Conrad Marshall became the first MSG killed in action while defending the chancery, firing his weapon until he was fatally wounded by enemy fire.^[35]^[36] On September 26, 1971, in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, a terrorist attack targeted a U.S. Embassy softball game, killing Sergeant Bobby Joe Turberville and wounding other MSGs in an ambush by Khmer Rouge insurgents, highlighting the guards' vulnerability during off-duty activities.^[36] The November 4, 1979, seizure of the U.S. Embassy in Tehran, Iran, by Iranian revolutionaries resulted in 66 American hostages, including 10 Marine Security Guards who were held for 444 days until January 20, 1981; the MSGs maintained discipline and resisted coercion without resorting to lethal force due to limited arms access under diplomatic protocols.^[37] In the April 18, 1983, bombing of the U.S. Embassy in Beirut, Lebanon, by Hezbollah operatives using a truck bomb, 63 people were killed, including two MSGs, with survivors aiding in evacuation and securing the site amid the chaos, demonstrating rapid response under explosive attack conditions.^[38] Following the September 11, 2012, attack on the U.S. diplomatic compound in Benghazi, Libya, which killed Ambassador J. Christopher Stevens and three others, Marine Security Guards from the Tripoli embassy detachment supported evacuation efforts and reinforced security; the incident prompted congressional mandates to expand MSG detachments to over 180 posts worldwide by 2016.^[13] Marine Security Augmentation Units, rapid-response teams formed post-Benghazi, have deployed repeatedly for crisis reinforcement, including 11 operations by late 2013 and additional activations in high-threat areas like Sudan and Yemen, enabling temporary surges in embassy protection without permanent billet increases.^[39]^[40] In non-combat deployments, MSGs have supported humanitarian responses, such as augmenting security in Haiti and the Dominican Republic during Hurricane Irma in September 2017, ensuring safe evacuation of U.S. personnel amid civil unrest.^[41]

Effectiveness, Achievements, and Criticisms

Demonstrated Effectiveness and Achievements

Marine Security Guards (MSGs) have demonstrated effectiveness through their role in deterring threats and responding to attacks at U.S. diplomatic facilities worldwide. During the Tet Offensive on January 30, 1968, MSGs at the U.S. Embassy in Saigon repelled Vietnamese communist forces attempting to breach the compound, maintaining security amid widespread urban combat that overwhelmed other positions in the city.^[1] In December 2004, MSGs at the U.S. Consulate General in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, defended against a sustained al-Qaeda-linked terrorist assault involving vehicle-borne improvised explosive devices and armed intruders, preventing the attackers from entering the main building and minimizing casualties among personnel.^[41] MSGs have also excelled in non-combat emergencies, providing rapid response and evacuation support. In April 2023, amid escalating civil conflict in Sudan, the MSG detachment in Khartoum facilitated the orderly evacuation of U.S. Embassy staff and dependents under fire, earning commendations from Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro for their professionalism and coordination with Marine and diplomatic security teams.^[42] Similarly, in June 2008, the MSG detachment in Belgrade, Serbia, received the U.S. Department of State Award for Heroism for actions during civil unrest that protected embassy assets and personnel from mob violence.^[43] Awards and citations underscore individual and unit achievements in routine and crisis operations. MSGs frequently receive Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medals for superior performance in embassy protection, such as maintaining post security, conducting vulnerability assessments, and preventing unauthorized access over extended tours.^[44] In a 1977 incident in Cameroon, MSGs provided life-saving medical aid to an assaulted diplomat, an action retroactively honored by Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps Carlos Ruiz in December 2024 for exemplifying the program's commitment to personnel welfare.^[45] These instances reflect the program's causal emphasis on trained deterrence, which has historically limited breaches at over 150 protected posts by combining armed presence with technical countermeasures.^[6]

Limitations, Criticisms, and Debates

Marine Security Guards operate under inherent limitations in their mandate, primarily focused on internal security within diplomatic compounds rather than external perimeter defense or countering large-scale assaults. Their rules of engagement restrict them to defending designated areas inside U.S. facilities, using only small arms, with host nations responsible for outer security; they lack authority to pursue threats beyond compound walls.^[46] This scope proved insufficient during major attacks, such as the 1979 Tehran embassy takeover, where approximately 14 MSGs delayed intruders but could not prevent the seizure of 52 hostages amid overwhelming numbers.^[47] Criticisms have centered on personnel vulnerabilities and management shortcomings. The 1985–1987 Moscow embassy scandal exposed systemic risks, as Soviet intelligence compromised multiple MSGs through "honeytrap" operations, leading to espionage charges against at least three guards, including Sgt. Clayton Lonetree, who confessed to passing classified documents after romantic entanglements with Soviet agents.^[48] This incident, involving indiscretions by young, isolated Marines on one-year tours, prompted congressional hearings on vetting failures and discipline, resulting in the recall of all Moscow MSGs and heightened counterintelligence protocols.^[49] A 2014 State Department Inspector General audit further highlighted operational gaps, including undocumented post selections, absence of periodic global reallocations, and delays in activating high-threat detachments due to infrastructure and staffing constraints, with only 40% of post-2012 expansions targeting critical-threat sites despite Benghazi recommendations.^[50] Debates persist over the program's adequacy amid evolving threats like terrorism and asymmetric warfare. The 2012 Benghazi consulate attack, where no MSGs were present—only Diplomatic Security contractors—underscored coverage limitations, as MSGs are stationed at fewer than 60% of U.S. posts (148 of 285 in 2012), prompting Congress to mandate a near-doubling to 2,449 personnel despite Marine Corps drawdowns and training bottlenecks (e.g., MSG School's capacity capped at 250–300 graduates annually).^[46] Critics argue for expanded roles, such as routine rooftop overwatch, but inter-agency agreements and host-country sensitivities often prohibit this, fueling discussions on balancing symbolic deterrence with layered defenses involving contractors or rapid-response units like the Marine Security Augmentation Unit.^[51] Historical understaffing, with shortages reaching critical levels for over a decade, has strained sustainability, raising questions about whether the U.S. Marine Corps can indefinitely support the program without diverting resources from combat readiness.^[52]

Recent Developments

Post-2012 Reforms and Expansions

Following the September 11, 2012, attack on the U.S. diplomatic compound in Benghazi, Libya, which highlighted vulnerabilities in embassy security, Congress directed the Marine Corps to expand the Marine Security Guard (MSG) program by adding approximately 1,000 new guards, nearly doubling the existing force from around 1,000 to over 2,000 personnel.^[53] This expansion, authorized in the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2013, aimed to enhance internal security at U.S. diplomatic facilities worldwide amid heightened threats.^[39] The Marine Corps Embassy Security Group (MCESG) implemented the growth by establishing about two dozen new MSG detachments at diplomatic posts and augmenting staffing at 117 existing ones, prioritizing high-threat locations in regions such as the Middle East, Africa, and South Asia. A key addition was the creation of a Security Augmentation Unit (SAU) comprising 117 Marines, designed for rapid deployment to reinforce vulnerable posts from MCESG headquarters at Quantico, Virginia. These measures addressed gaps exposed in Benghazi, where limited Marine presence contributed to inadequate defense against coordinated assaults.^[54] Reforms also included stricter eligibility criteria, mandating that all MSG applicants possess an adjudicated secret-level security clearance before selection, up from prior standards that allowed interim clearances.^[55] The program's mission evolved to designate personnel protection as a co-primary duty alongside safeguarding classified material and property, reflecting a shift toward proactive threat response.^[54] Enhanced training protocols were introduced, incorporating advanced tactical and fire survival elements to better prepare guards for dynamic embassy environments.^[56] By 2016, the expanded force had enabled broader coverage, with detachments deployed to additional consulates and embassies, though recruitment challenges persisted due to concurrent Marine Corps-wide drawdowns.^[57] These changes, while strengthening deterrence, drew scrutiny for straining training pipelines and administrative resources at MCESG.

Operations and Events in the 2020s

In April 2023, the Marine Security Guard detachment at the U.S. Embassy in Khartoum, Sudan, comprising 13 Marines, executed critical security operations amid violent clashes between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces. As gunfire and explosions surrounded the compound starting April 15, the detachment secured the facility, protected remaining personnel, destroyed classified documents and equipment, and welded entry points to prevent breaches. On April 22, they coordinated with U.S. special operations forces for a helicopter evacuation of 70 American citizens and staff, ensuring no casualties among the group despite ongoing combat.^[58] ^[42] For their heroism under fire, 12 of the Marines received the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal from Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro during a ceremony at Marine Corps Base Quantico on May 19, 2023.^[59] ^[60] The detachment's actions exemplified standard MSG protocols for non-combatant evacuations, prioritizing the safeguarding of lives and sensitive assets without direct engagement, as MSGs are prohibited from offensive operations under their mandate. Post-evacuation, the Marines returned to the United States via Ramstein Air Base, Germany, where they debriefed and resumed training.^[61] The operation underscored the risks of high-threat posts, with the embassy remaining unsecured and under militia control thereafter.^[62] From January 2022 to January 2024, six Marine Security Guards died while assigned to overseas detachments, reflecting challenges such as isolation, mental health strains, and operational hazards at remote embassies. Incidents included suicides of Cpl. Christian Zerbe in Brazzaville, Republic of the Congo (September 18, 2022), and Sgt. Dylan Pena in Guatemala City (May 2022); an accidental shooting during training of Cpl. Elwin Ramirez in Abuja, Nigeria (December 2022); a heart attack of detachment commander Staff Sgt. Julian Hernandez in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso (April 2023); an unspecified death of Sgt. Ariel Castillo in Madrid, Spain (May 2022); and an investigative case involving Lance Cpl. Nicholas Dural in Brazzaville (December 19, 2023).^[63] These losses, two at the same post, prompted internal reviews but no systemic policy shifts were publicly detailed by the Marine Corps Embassy Security Group.^[63] Amid the COVID-19 pandemic from 2020 onward, MSGs adapted protocols at over 170 posts, implementing enhanced health screenings and quarantine measures while sustaining 24/7 armed security without reported major lapses in protection duties. Routine operations continued, including VIP protection during visits like that of the Commandant of the Marine Corps to select detachments, though no large-scale incidents rivaling Khartoum were documented through 2025.^[64]

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[33]
MARINE SECURITY GUARD DUTY AND REQUIREMENTS ...
Aug 4, 2009 · Marine Security Guard (MSG) Duty provides Marines the opportunity to serve overseas, while serving with the US Department of State at Embassies and consulates ...<|control11|><|separator|>
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https://www.state.gov/marine-security-guards/
[35]
The First Marine to Die Defending an Embassy Was Killed in the Tet ...
Jan 10, 2024 · The lone Marine, Cpl. James Conrad Marshall, was the first Marine security guard (MSG) to give his life while defending American embassy personnel.
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The Fallen - Marine Embassy Guard Association
On Jan. 31, 1968, Cpl Marshall was the first Marine Security Guard killed in the defense of an American Embassy. He was 21 years old. The former Marine ...
[37]
Former Iran Hostage Recalls His Career as a Marine Security Guard
Sep 26, 2013 · Marine Security Guards have protected American facilities against “anti-American riots and demonstrations and have helped evacuate U.S. ...Missing: notable incidents
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Marine Security Guards Today - State.gov
Marine Security Guards help protect US Government classified information and equipment. The Marines help protect the embassy during a range of crises.
[39]
Marines beef up embassy security - POLITICO
Nov 26, 2013 · Since then, Congress passed legislation that directed the Marine Corps to increase the number of embassy security guards by 1,000, almost ...
[40]
Marine Corps Security Guard Augmentation Unit deploy twice in 30 ...
Jul 30, 2021 · This US Marine quick reaction force has deployed twice in the last 30 days to protect American embassies. They deploy on average every 8 days.Missing: notable | Show results with:notable
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Oorah: Celebrating 242 years of the Marine Corps - Medium
Nov 10, 2017 · As Hurricane Irma roared through the Caribbean, Marine Security Guard Security Augmentation Units (MSAUs) deployed to Haiti and the Dominican ...Missing: incidents | Show results with:incidents
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SECNAV awards Marine Security Guards for successful evacuation ...
May 19, 2023 · The Marines with Marine Security Guard (MSG) Detachment Khartoum for their exceptional performance during the evacuation of the US Embassy in Khartoum, Sudan.
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U.S. Department of State Awards
U.S. Department of State Award for Heroism June 2008. Belgrade, Serbia. Marine Security Guard Detachment, U.S. Embassy Belgrade. U.S. Department of State Award ...
[44]
Embassy Security Awards - Navy Writer
PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENT IN THE SUPERIOR PERFORMANCE OF HIS DUTIES WHILE SERVING AS A MARINE SECURITY GUARD AT DETACHMENTS PRISTINA, KOSOVO AND GUATEMALA ...
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SMMC awards MSG Marines for life-saving aid in 1977
Dec 19, 2024 · The three Cameroonian nationals were armed with metal pipes, which they used to harm him. Juliana quickly called the Marine Security Guard ...
[46]
Benghazi Attack Puts Spotlight on Marine Embassy Guards
Dec 1, 2012 · Much of the confusion surrounded the perceived role of Marine Embassy Security Guards ... prevented the attacks altogether, analysts said. A week ...
[47]
Marine Guards Are Trained for Limited Missions - The New York Times
Nov 11, 1979 · US Marines undergo special training at Quantico, Va, to become embassy security guards; 14 Marines are among 60 to 65 American hostages (M)
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The Marine Spy Scandal: It's a Biggie | TIME
Apr 6, 1987 · Corporal Arnold Bracy, 21, a former guard at the Moscow embassy, became only the second “ambassador in blue” ever to be arrested on espionage charges.
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Guarding embassies - CSMonitor.com
Apr 17, 1987 · THE serious breaches of security by Marine Guards at the US Embassy in Moscow have focused attention on the problems of protecting the ...
[50]
[PDF] Audit of the Department of State Management of the Marine Security ...
30 Each Regional Command conducts visits to each detachment; inspects each detachment at least twice annually; reviews operations and maintenance budgets; and ...
[51]
[PDF] Can Marine Security Guards be Assigned to Roof Top Defensive ...
The purpose ofthis paper is to review the Marine Security Guard chain of command, pertinent inter-agency agreements, foreign affairs regulations, and Marine ...Missing: criticisms | Show results with:criticisms
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Can the Marine Corps Continue to Support the Program?
For the better part of 15 years, MSG Battalion has been understaffed with personnel shortages that occasionally reached critical levels. This shortage puts ...
[53]
MCESG adds unit, doubles in number of Marine embassy security ...
Jun 26, 2013 · Marine Corps Embassy Security Group has received authorization to add 1,000 Marine embassy security guards to a force that is already ...Missing: reforms 2012
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Benghazi: Questions Unasked and Opportunities Missed
Oct 22, 2015 · The State Department and the Marine Corps also expanded the MSG program in three ways: directing that protection of personnel is a “co-primary” ...
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Corps adds new requirements to Marine Security Guard Program
Jan 30, 2014 · Under the new rules, all Marines must have an adjudicated secret clearance prior to applying. Baker said since guards are required to have a ...Missing: 2012 | Show results with:2012
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Five changes State Department has made since Benghazi
Jan 15, 2014 · Increased training for diplomatic security agents, revised the department's high threat tactical course and added fire survival training to the ...
[57]
[PDF] Marine Security Guard
A Marine Security Guard usually serves three 12-month tours of duty. Marine Security Guard "watchstanders" are enlisted Marines from Private. First Class to ...
[58]
How 12 Marine security guards helped in Sudan embassy evacuation
Apr 26, 2023 · Their actions maintained security during a critical time and resulted in a safe movement out of Khartoum," a Marine spokesman said.
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12 Marines receive medals for heroism for evacuating US Embassy ...
May 22, 2023 · Twelve Marines received decorations for their efforts last month when they helped evacuate American workers from the US Embassy in Sudan.
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SECNAV awards MSGs for successful evacuation from Khartoum
May 20, 2023 · The Secretary of the Navy, the Honorable Mr. Carlos Del Toro, presents the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal to 11 Marine Security ...Missing: MESSAGe | Show results with:MESSAGe
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What it was like for Marine embassy guards to evacuate Sudan
May 2, 2023 · The evacuation came as warring factions trying to seize control of Sudan plunged the country into chaos, leaving at least 500 people dead.
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Evaluation of the Department's 2023 Evacuation of Embassy Khartoum
Jul 11, 2025 · The Office of Inspector General (OIG) conducted this evaluation to assess whether the Department followed lessons learned from other recent evacuations.Missing: Marine | Show results with:Marine
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Six Marine Security Guards have died overseas since 2022
Feb 16, 2024 · Six Marine Security Guards died overseas between January 2022 and January 2024. Two Marines were assigned to the same embassy.Missing: notable | Show results with:notable
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News - Marine Corps Embassy Security Group (MCESG)
News · SECNAV awards MSGs for successful evacuation from Khartoum · MCESG bids farewell and following seas to its CBRN Officer, CWO4 Groves · London VIP Visit · CMC ...