A friend of my son recently arrived in Okinawa with his marine unit. He no sooner moved his gear into the barracks when he was told to report to his platoon, who told him he was "flagged" as a possible recruit for the Marine Corps Embassy Security Group. It was explained to him that they are now picking embassy guards from combat infantrymen who are serving in combat units in light of the Benghazi fiasco. This is because our newest best friends in the Middle East act much the same as our old enemies.

I agree with this new outlook. However, the Marines need to make it clear to the State Department that their purpose is not to be valets or doormen, but to kill the people that would kill them. That's why their mascot is a bulldog and not a toy poodle.

All MSG's are volunteers and may come from any MOS/unit. All Marines receive infantry training and are considered combat troops. They may be "flagged" as a good candidate, but they must still volunteer and meet all of the screening requirements:

Cannot be married (No single parents with sole custody)
Must have an adjudicated Secret security clearance
Qualify for Top Secret security clearance
Financially stable
18 months time on station
Minimum 90 GT
No NJPs within one year
Completed PFT
Service Pro & Cons 4.2/4.2 or higher (Cpl and below)
High level of maturity, judgment, and sound moral character

When I served as an MSG, it was quite clear that we were not "valets or doormen."

Marines don't dictate to the State Dept..

__________________
PROUD TO BE A VETERAN

"The only true wisdom is in knowing you know nothing." - Socrates

Noted. However, what you were and what someone else thought of you might be two different things. I do remember a Marine peacekeeper with an empty weapon standing in front of the Marine barracks in Lebanon before it came down, I remember Marines being told not to defend the embassy in Iran, and I recall a State department hack refusing to put countermeasures in place to thwart bombings.


Most State Department hacks think that they are the final word in solving the world's problems. Bush Jr. had people in the State Department dragging their feet and sabotaging his plans from day one, since they were loathe to take direction or orders from people who they thought were less knowledgeable than themselves. That, and they are always believe we are "at peace", even when the shooting might say we are "at war."

It pretty much depended on the State Dept. people in your particular embassy. My first post was pretty small and the Comm Officer was also the SO..... he couldn't have cared less about security and pretty much ignored us. The second embassy I was at had a dedicated RSO that we had a great relationship with and appreciated what the Marines were there for.