Marine Corps Security Guard Graduation

Francis X. Taylor, Assistant Secretary of State for Diplomatic Security and Director for the Office of Foreign Missions

Remarks at the Marine Corps Security Guard Graduation
Quantico, VA
February 21, 2003

Good Morning Marines! I am pleased to be with you, your families and those that have trained you for one of the most demanding missions in today's Marine Corps -- that of being a Marine Security Guard.

I bring you greetings from the 65th Secretary of State, the Honorable Colin L. Powell. Secretary Powell knows very well the challenges that await you and has often said how proud he is to be the only retired Army General Officer to have command of an active Marine combat unit. You are his and now my troops. I am equally proud of you and the way those that have proceeded you have performed this critical mission for our Nation. Both as a former senior military officer and a new Assistant Secretary of State, I salute you, your mission and your success.

Together, we will help protect the very important diplomatic capability of our country. The diplomatic capability that built the greatest coalition in the history of the world to take on the threat of global terrorism. The diplomatic capability that is now working at the UN, in NATO and with our allies around the world to prepare the coalition of the willing to end Saddam Hussein's access to weapons of mass destruction and untold horrors to his own people. Like these examples, you will be the guardian of our diplomatic capability, a symbol of America's strength and values, both to American citizens and the citizens of the country in which you are serving.

Your service to your country is a role model to American society. Your presence here, your Marine Corps uniform, epitomizes your pledge to serve our great nation and our Constitution with pride and dedication. However, you have taken your pledge even further by becoming a Marine Security Guard. You have committed to serve willingly in places you may have never heard of and never dreamed you would see, to defend American principles. You will be the window to our worldwide diplomatic capability, the first symbol of strength of America and our values, not only to American citizens who visit our embassies abroad, but to the citizens of the country in which you will serve.

Marines have served with the American diplomatic corps for the past 57 years with great distinction. Since the Foreign Service Act of 1946, you have been the first line of defense for U.S. diplomatic efforts overseas. You are surrounded with that history dating back to pre-war China here at MSG Battalion. With an increasing number of attacks against our missions and personnel overseas you are also on the front lines of the war on terrorism.

With your training now complete and this graduation almost over, you will join those ranks of those that have served before and are now charged to guard their legacy and prepare the ground for those who will surely follow. And what is that legacy? It is a legacy of integrity, service and excellence. And why are these values so important to that legacy? It is because it defines how you serve, how you are viewed by those who serve with you, and those that you will meet in the course of your duty. Your integrity is the bedrock of your existence. We trust you to defend us because we know that you will always act with honor and do the right thing in all circumstances. It is an awesome responsibility to stand watch over and protect others and we give it only to those that we trust -- and we trust each of you. Your character must continue to be above reproach, your training world class, your lifestyle reflective of the highest values in the Corps and America. You represent what all of us would want our sons and daughters to be, and we want you to continue to represent the core values of America as your serve with integrity.

The second value is service and by your presence here wearing the uniform of the Marine Corps you have pledged yourself to serve our Nation and its Constitution. You, who are going out as watch standers, have gone further by agreeing to remain single to serve in remote posts away from the mainstream and do so willingly. You understand your responsibility to our Nation and the American people. Indeed you have pledged your life to defend those principals. Never forget that service is a key principal for your legacy that you will continue to build upon.

The final value is excellence. No one could watch any recruiting commercial about the Marine Corps and not understand that the Marine Corps standard is excellence, and if you join, that is the standard the Corps holds you to meet. There is no place in our business for second best...second best means that vital National Security information gets compromised and people die. We stand tall to prevent that every day. Let excellence be the watchword of how you perform daily. We are counting on that standard from all of you.

At post, you will become part of the Foreign Service family. Through the years, Foreign Service Officers and Marine Security Guards have forged a wonderful bond of mutual appreciation, respect, and friendship. In times of crisis, they protect each other, take care of each other, and on Friday nights, they frequently relax together in a great family tradition at every post in the world.

I would be remiss if I did not take a moment to thank the family members, friends and staff that have come to share this very important day with you. America is a country where families have sent their sons and daughters to defend the Nation since before our Nation was born. Our democracy is strong because of our citizen soldier tradition and that could not continue if the people of America would not willingly allow their children to serve. We appreciate your sacrifice -- the missed special days, the holidays without your loved ones, the long distances away that we ask them to serve. We know the emotional roller coaster that many of you feel with family members and friends that serve our Nation. We appreciate your sacrifice and know that you too are a part of our family and that without you, service would not be possible. So I want all of our graduate to understand that no matter how far away you are, call your mother, call your fathers, your significant others and let them know as often as you can how much you appreciate their sacrifice and support for your adventure. If you do as I say, they will always be there for you regardless of where you are in the world. Family and friends are constants that bring stability at the most difficult times.

Let me conclude by again congratulating each of you on your graduation today. This is a significant career milestone for each of you. We are very proud of your accomplishments and look forward to the opportunity to serve with all of you. Thanks to all for joining us today.