MCB HAWAII, KANEOHE BAY, Hawaii -- (Editor's Note: This is Part Three in a three-part series on B-Billets, terms or 36-month assignment that Marines serve outside of their Military Occupational Specialty, and a position that is often vital for promotion in the Corps. This story focuses on Marine Security Guard Duty.)
In addition to wanting to meet and overcome the challenges, physical and mental, of earning the title "Marine," one reason Marines give for joining the Corps is a chance for travel and adventure.
Perhaps no other billet in the Marines, or any service, can live up to this desire more than Marine Security Guard duty.
"Prestige, excitement, pride, worldwide travel, adventure and challenge," said Gunnery Sgt. Tony Stewart, a Marine Corps career planner." You name it, MSG duty has got it."
Marine Security Guards, lance corporal through sergeant, are responsible for providing security at more than 120 U.S. embassies and consulates around the world, and generally serve two 15-month tours at two posts, one of which will likely be a hardship post in a third world country. Sergeants and below cannot be married.
Staff noncommissioned officers may be married and accompanied, and serve two 18-month tours, according to Stewart.
"No matter what rank you hold, you might not ever get a chance to hold such a high level of responsibility as when you serve on embassy duty," said Stewart.
Those on MSG duty are primarily responsible for embassies' interior security, normally the lobby or main entrance. Guards are trained to react to terrorist acts as well as a variety of emergencies such as fires, riots, demonstrations and evacuations.
"The sense of responsibility and the confidence instilled upon each individual Marine far outweigh anything else an enlisted Marine could experience," said Gunnery Sgt. Craig Elliott, who served on MSG duty at the U.S. embassies in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and Quito, Ecuador.
Representatives for MSG duty generally make yearly visits to Marine Corps installations. For more information on MSG duty, contact your career planner.
"The worse part about MSG duty for me," said Elliott, "was the conclusion of my tour."