Remarks at the Graduation of Marine Security Guard Class 2-06

Ambassador Richard J. Griffin, Assistant Secretary of State for Diplomatic Security and Director, Office of Foreign Missions

Quantico, Virginia
February 24, 2006

Good Morning, Colonel Head, Major Dreier, Mr. Mastriano, Sergeant Major Nugent, Members of Marine Security Guard Class 2-06, family, friends, and faculty and staff of the MSG Battalion. I am very pleased to represent the Department of State and my colleagues in the Foreign Service at this great moment in your careers, and in the lives of your families. To all the graduates, I say congratulations. You have successfully completed a rigorous course of training. I know you worked long and hard to make it to this day.

As Assistant Secretary for the Bureau of Diplomatic Security at the Department of State, I am privileged to lead a global force of special agents, security engineers, diplomatic couriers, security specialists and other professionals. I also am proud to say that I have the privilege of overseeing the Marine Security Guard program. Together, DS and the Marine Security Guards work as a team to ensure that the United States can conduct diplomacy safely and securely around the world.

Today, this mission is more important than ever. As we saw too clearly on
September 11, 2001, and have seen since then in the terrorists attacks against children in Beslan, Russia; against commuters in Madrid and the United Kingdom; and against hotel guests in Jordan -- terrorists will not hesitate to harm innocents.

In the face of these and other threats, U.S. diplomacy plays a key role. Based in embassies from Argentina to Malaysia to Zambia, our diplomats work to create a more secure, democratic, and prosperous world for the people of America … and for people around the globe. It is essential that these diplomats remain safe, and that they can function in a secure environment.

What’s where Diplomatic Security and the Marine Security Guards come in. For more than 57 years, the Marine Security Guard program has worked closely with the U.S. Department of State to protect and secure American diplomacy.

When the MSG program began in 1949, just 83 Marines were deployed. Now more than 1,200 Marines are deployed in 145 MSG detachments worldwide. Seven new detachments were activated in 2005; four more will be activated in 2006 and even more will follow.

Marine Security Guards are recognized as the professional, well-trained, disciplined guard force that is best suited for providing internal security at our embassies and consulates. They proved this when terrorists attacked our consulate in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, in December 2004. The MSGs responded to the attack in a way that was focused, fast and professional. Their response helped stop the attackers from entering the consulate building. Without a doubt, the heroic actions of the MSGs that day saved many lives.

Marine Security Guards regularly step in to help protect others from dangerous situations.

In 2005 alone, MSGs reacted to many crises, including demonstrations, bomb threats, fires, nuclear/biological/chemical threats and intrusion attempts.

Graduates, when you arrive at your diplomatic post, you will meet the Regional Security Officer, who is in charge of the embassy’s security program. RSOs are responsible to me as well as the Ambassador or Principal Officer at the post. The RSOs are highly trained, seasoned professionals and special agents of the Diplomatic Security Service. The security programs they run are sophisticated -- designed to protect people, property, and information from terrorists, foreign intelligence agents and criminals.

You are an important part of this security program. We could not do it without you. Now that your training here is done, we count on you to maintain your skills by regularly attending guard schools, react drills, familiarization firing and other training.

I also encourage each of you to take advantage of the great opportunity that the MSG program offers to travel, learn new languages, experience new cultures, and make new friends. Starting today, you are embarking on an exciting journey in which you will visit U.S. embassies and consulates throughout the world. Not only will you meet the U.S. personnel and their families assigned to your diplomatic posts, you also will get to know the local national employees who work in our embassies and consulates. Many have worked as part of our diplomatic team for years and offer a wealth of knowledge on local customs and attitudes.

As our "Ambassadors in Blue," you will literally represent America to members of the diplomatic community and citizens of the host country.

I wish you all the best in your upcoming assignment and future career. The MSGs who have gone before you have heroically ensured the safety and security of our diplomatic posts abroad. Through your professionalism and dedication, and by your fine actions, you will carry on that glorious MSG tradition … and make us proud.

Semper Fi!