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Marine Security Guard students with Marine Corps Embassy Security Group crawl through the collapsed structure trainer at Marine Corps Base Quantico, Va., Feb. 23, 2020. The special duty assignment requires Marines to go through extensive background checks, security clearances, psychological testing, and physical and academic training before graduating from MSG school.

Photo by Ashley Boster

Marine Security Guard Students conduct collapsed structure training

2 Mar 2022 | Ashley Boster The Official United States Marine Corps Public Website

Marine Security Guard students with Marine Corps Embassy Security Group conducted training at the collapsed structure trainer at Marine Corps Base Quantico, Virginia, February 23. Students attending the MSG school complete in class instruction prior to putting their skills to the test.

The collapsed structure trainer teaches Marines how to navigate and control their stressors in small and confined spaces. The dark, tight, and obstructed wooden maze simulates collapsed buildings between one and five stories tall. During this portion of the curriculum, students will also take part in Chemical Biological Radiological and Nuclear training, as well as gas chamber training.

MSGs fall under MCESG, a tenant organization located at Marine Corps Base Quantico. Marines who are assigned to MCESG train at the MSG school where they go through extensive background checks, security clearances, psychological testing, and physical and academic training.

Upon graduation, MSGs will be sent to one of 182 consulates and embassies worldwide. This special duty requires watchstanders, E-5 and below, to serve at 3 detachments for 12 months each, while Detachment Commanders, E-6 and above, will serve at two detachments for 18 months each.

The nine-week long course is designed to graduate MSGs who respond to situations like intrusions, bomb threats, demonstrations, riots, fires, or natural disasters embassies and consulates. These highly trained Marines will be responsible for protecting mission personnel and preventing the compromise of national security information and equipment.