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Marines stationed at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar conduct security augmentation force training at MCAS Miramar, California, March 11, 2025. Marines entering the SAF program attend a five-day course learning basic law enforcement skills, lethal and non-lethal weapons handling, and earning their oleoresin capsicum spray qualification to be able to serve with the provost marshal’s office. (U.S. Marine Corps video by Lance Cpl. Alexander Vaughn)

Evolving from the pull-up bar to incorporate more physicality while modernizing with the addition of both augmented and virtual reality elements, Marine Corps Recruiting Command (MCRC) unveiled the future of Enhanced Area Canvassing (EAC) events aboard Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island on September 30, 2020. The future fight requires an agile force, adept with uncertainty and rapid decision making in a multidimensional operating environment. In order to identify the future force, MCRC is embracing emergent technologies across all prospecting efforts to recruit and retain digitally native talent. Immersive, innovative and entertaining, the Battle Position delivers a Marine Corps experience unlike anything seen before.

U.S. Marines and sailors aboard Marine Corps Base-Camp Smedley D. Butler take part in Security Augmentation Force Training from Dec. 2 to 12, 2019 on Camp Foster, Okinawa, Japan. Camps Foster, Plaza and Lester requires a SAF in order to adequately protect the installation, personnel and interests during periods of increased Force Protection Conditions (FPCON). The Provost Marshal’s Office conducts SAF training in order to maintain a force with the ability to increase Camp Foster, Plaza and Lester’s security posture as the mission requires. (U.S. Marine Corps motion imagery by Cpl. Nickolas Beamish)

Security Augmentation Force (SAF) training is done to provide qualified and properly trained personnel ready to support the military provost marshals (PMO) and local law enforcement. They train to become our law enforcements back-up when their capacities are exceeded, support destructive weather efforts, and any special event that is deemed appropriate by the installation commander. The Marines training to become a part of SAF go through numerous courses to become the highly qualified assets needed. After completing all of their initial screening, the Marines coordinate with their newly assigned squad leader to begin their law enforcement oriented training. Marines in SAF are required to qualify on the pistol range as well as participate in defensive tactics training, a gate procedures class, vehicle search training and qualify for level one contamination with oleoresin capsicum spray. Following this training; they can spend anywhere from a six months to a year assisting PMO with regular and special duties to help keep our installations and the people within them safe.

Marines with Headquarters Regiment, 3rd Marine Logistics Group, engage in an non-lethal weapons training course as a part of a security augmentation force (SAF) training event Oct. 11, 2018 on Camp Kinser, Okinawa, Japan. The SAF Marines practiced detainee handling procedures and non-lethal weapons tactics after being sprayed with oleoresin capsicum (OC) spray in order to learn how to effectively function and provide security while being affected by the spray. SAF Marines are trained to augment and assist base security forces across Marine Corps Base Camp Butler. Browne, a native of Burlington, Michigan, is a warehouse clerk with Supply Battalion, Combat Logistics Regiment 35, 3rd Marine Logistics Group. (U.S. Marine Corps video by Lance Cpl. Jamin M. Powell)

Marines participating in a Security Augmentation Force course, get OC sprayed at Marine Corps Support Facility, New Orleans, Louisiana, Sept. 14, 2018, as part of the process to become SAF qualified. During the course Marines will get OC qualified, pistol qualified, as well as learn how to conduct vehicle searches and serve as armed security. The mission of the course is to produce qualified Marines able to serve as augmentations during times of heightened security for the Provost Marshal’s Office or Marine Corps Police Department. (U.S. Marine Corps video by Cpl. Niles Lee/Released)

Service members with 3rd Medical Battalion, 3rd Marine Logistics Group participate in Navy Medicine Augmentation Program pre-deployment training at Medical Simulation Training Center South, Okinawa, Japan, Aug. 25, 2018. 3rd MLG worked with medical augments to train on how to prepare Role II medical facilities during deployments. Role II facilities provide a place for injured service members to be received while providing enhanced capabilities such as ultrasound, X-ray and surgery. (U.S. Marine Corps video by Pfc. Terry Wong)

Sailors with 2nd Medical Battalion got out of their comfort zone and conducted a week-long training exercise known as a Health Service Augmentation Program at Camp Lejeune, N.C., April 18-22, 2016. The aim of HSAP training is to teach sailors the basic skillset and gear familiarization of shock trauma platoon in a deployed environment.

Marines based at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, Calif., endured 80 hours of Security Augmentation Force training. The Marines learned how to shoot different weapons and use tactics similar to law enforcement.