Presidential Security Forces Myths or Truth

Presidential Security Forces
This job lacks detail. Many of us are just signing a blind contract because we can’t find anything about this job. Hell, you can find a lot more about HMX-1, enough to get a pretty good idea about what their doing (I’ve included links on HMX at the bottom). I don’t really understand that, because they both require TS clearances and I know HMX-1 requires YW clearance, so there being so little information on PRP Security Forces is beyond me. I don’t need a completely laid out description of day to day duties but an overall general description a little more detailed then what my recruiter told me.

What I’ve Been Told (Italics are My Thoughts)
Recruiter: Presidential security forces you are pretty much a body guard for the president. I believe yes you are, but from a gate or the edges of a perimeter along a fence. Not at all what I read most people thinking they are. I’m not expecting to be 5 feet away from the president like the secret service. I of course am pretty sure that you aren’t going to be or doing anything with the motor cad transportation.

My Question: Now I’m wondering since presidential support specialist are Crew Chiefs on Marine One and the other transport helicopters that follow Marine One, there has to be extra security that follows them around so do PRP SF become involved and provide extra security for the HMX Fleet. When they go overseas I’m assuming the Marines are going to want some extra armed men to watch those 8-9 HMX helicopters.

Recruiter: I’m not sure if he’s mixing up Presidential Security Forces with Presidential Support Specialist. Where ever the President goes, Marine One goes, even if the President isn’t flying on it. So does Presidential Security Forces go to those locations and set up security ahead of time to prepare for the safe arrival of the President.

My Question: Is this true? If so, I can expect there would be a lot of travel involved, which is something I would really look forward too.

Recruiter: He said he had a buddy do Presidential Security Forces several years ago and he mostly spent most of his time wearing black suits. That’s right! You’re supposed to get an allowance for black suits. I do believe that is correct. Most of the guys you see standing around the president in suits is actually in fact Marines. Now this could be true and also why I believe you get an allowance for black suits. I was researching this back several months ago and if I can find all the links I’ll post them but I believe it was CNN reporting that there are actually Marines who will set up security alongside the secret service out in public locations. In the video they were all wearing black suits and some or even just wearing regular civilian clothes to imitate “rioters.” I saw it posted on YouTube but for the life of me I can’t find it anymore. I spent damn near an hour, it must have been removed but it would have certainly raised some eyebrows and they were clearly saying they were U.S. Marines not Secret Service.

My Question: Do you get a black suits allowance? Do you go out to public locations to protect the exterior? Do you travel overseas when the HMX fleet goes? (I read on another forum site about a mother reporting that her son who was on Presidential Security Forces went to Spain and Italy.)

My Question: Are there different roles you achieve in Presidential Security Forces? Like low level would be guarding Camp David perimeter to a high level of you going as extra security to where HMX goes? Not meaning that you fly on Marine One I know that’s Presidential Support Specialist Crew Chiefs. Are you likely guarding the HMX fleet? That’s my guess; the closest you get to the President is when you’re guarding the HMX hanger. The only reason I can determine that they add Presidential to Security Forces is that you’ll be near the most important birds in the sky or a retreat. Unless of course what I saw in that YouTube video from an official News Network showing and telling you that those guys were Marines and they were dressed to imitate and play the role of the Secret Service.

Links:
This is HMX-1 Presidential Support Specialist and Pilots IN DEPTH LOOK from National Geographic
Part 1 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Htw_ysrEUts
Part 2 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=clP9Y60MB0E&feature=related
Part 3 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=evQYuHDlp3Y&feature=related
Part 4 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HVheCheeWmQ&feature=fvw
Part 5 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qI9luLgTaNo&feature=related
(God forbid he steps in the hole!)

Sorry for the Multi Posting but it keeps telling me I have to many images when I have none.

More info on PRP SF

[FONT='Arial','sans-serif']Selection for Presidential Guard is usually done at boot camp. Senior Marines from the Presidential Guard program fly to each boot camp to screen marines for this duty. The initail screening process is long and eliminates most Marines. The screening process starts by bringing all Marines who are 03XX - Infantry to a breif. During the breif, the duty is explained and any Marine who does not wish to join is free to leave. The program is 100% volunteer. All Marines who wish to try out for the program have to meet certain criteria. The Marine can not be married or have any dependants. Criminal records must be relatively clean, but are considered on a case by case basis. The Marine must have a first class PFT score and not be over weight standards. Major debt also disqualifies you from the program. When your Marine makes it through the initial screening, they will proceed to the secondary screening. While at the second screening, each Marine is spoken to on a one to one basis to determine further eligibility. The final step is a formal interview with a board, consisting of officers and staff nco's of presidential guard. Questions during this interview are random and sometimes "off the wall" to determine how the Marine reacts to different situations. Bearing and trustworthyness are also evaluated during this time. If your Marine is selected for the program, the final step is to fill out the nessisary paperwork. One thing to note: marines serving in this duty must extend their contracts to 5 years active duty.

After SOI, your Marine will attend security forces school in chesapeake, VA. The school is 6 weeks long, but many marines get stuck there for up to 5 months. The school's class sizes are small and marines have to wait to pick up with a class. While waiting, some marines get RA while others do working partys.

After compleation of SF school, your Marine will be sent to Marine Barracks 8th and I in Washington, D.C. The time spent here all depends on how fast the Top Secret clearance processes. The clearances have become completely automated instead of paper, so clearances are going through much faster than they used to. The normal time is between 6 months and a year. Dont be worried if the clearance is taking a long time, the initial screening process disqualifies almost all people who will not clear.

While at 8th and I, your Marine will be performing guard duty at the base. They will learn more advanced techniques and mission specific rules during there time here. The work schedules are long and sometimes chaotic, but your Marine will have plenty of time to see all the wonderful things in the DC area. During parade season, guard works very long days, so dont be worried if you dont hear from your Marine as often as you would like to. It will get better as time goes on.

When your Marines clearance goes through, they will be transfered to one of a few locations around the DC area. The furthest away is Camp David, while the others are close to 8th and I. Most guard Marines go to Camp David, but the other locations are still very nice. Don't be offended when your Marine doesn't tell you nearly as much about their duties as before, almost everything is classified to protect security.

In total, presidential guard is a 3 year duty. The first year or so at 8th and I, and the remaining time at their final destination. After there 3 years, your Marine will PCS to an infantry unit and start their origional mos.

If for some reason your Marines clearance never goes through, they will be utilized at 8th and I for there three years. Some stay in guard, but most are sent to a different section, including; PMO - provost marshalls office. Here they will still work with guard, but not standing posts. They will deal with training of guard marines, overall security, and a variety of other missions. Another common place to be sent is Grounds. Grounds is a section of maintenance, made up of marines origionally from guard or marching platoons. Grounds is responsible for the upkeep of the barracks, ranging from general landscaping to setting up for ceremonial functions such as parades. While this is not your Marines primary MOS, grounds is a good place to be as they encourage their marines to attend school in one of the many local universitys or online.

Marines chosen for presidential guard are not allowed to be married or to have any dependants. If your Marine would like to be Married, they can submit for command approval once they have recieved their clearance and are transfered to one of the secondary locations. If your Marine does get married or adds a dependant while they are working at 8th and I, they will be removed from the presidential guard program and follow the same path as the marines who's clearance doesnt process above.

Presidential guard Marines will recieve extra uniforms when they arrive at 8th and I. They will get dress blues as well as dress whites. Marines at 8th and I are the only marines, under the rank of SSgt, who are allowed to wear ceremonial white trousers. It is considered an honor.

8th and I is a very small base, as mentioned before. The px at the barracks carries food, cleaning supplies, and a few uniform and recreational items. Henderson Hall has a full px where your Marine can purchase all uniform items and other usual px goods. Bolling air force base has a commesary which is like a grocery store where your marines can purchase food at.

All together, DC is a wonderful place to be stationed and is full of things to do. There are many museums, monuments, and historical places to see, as well as the opportunity to camp, fish, ride mountain bikes, visit amusement parks, and many other attractions close by. Vehicles are not as important as they are in other areas, because of the great public transportation system DC has. There is a subway which goes most places, as well as buses to many others.

8th and I also has some of the best medical care available in the military. Basic sick call is a couple blocks away at Washington Navy Yard, and more serious injurys can be handled at either Bethesda National Naval Medical Center or Walter Reed Army Medical Center. Both are the best hospitals the military has to offer, and most seriously wounded warriors will be sent there for treatment once returning to the states.

Lastly, Marines selected for presidential guard are considered some of the best the military has. To be accepted and recieve a Top Secret clearance is a great honor. Very few Marines have the opportunity to serve with presidential guard and only the top 0.1% of all Marines will have the chance. After successful completion of their dutys, Marines recieve a Presidential Support Badge. This decoration is a great honor, great enough that the badge representing this honor is serialized and issued to the Marine. These Badges can not be purchased anywhere, limiting counterfit use. The only way to recieve another PSB is to submit the proper paperwork and have a second serialized PSB personally delivered to you.[/FONT]

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Bull777

Recruiter: He said he had a buddy do Presidential Security Forces several years ago and he mostly spent most of his time wearing black suits. That’s right! You’re supposed to get an allowance for black suits. I do believe that is correct. Most of the guys you see standing around the president in suits is actually in fact Marines. Now this could be true and also why I believe you get an allowance for black suits. I was researching this back several months ago and if I can find all the links I’ll post them but I believe it was CNN reporting that there are actually Marines who will set up security alongside the secret service out in public locations. In the video they were all wearing black suits and some or even just wearing regular civilian clothes to imitate “rioters.” I saw it posted on YouTube but for the life of me I can’t find it anymore. I spent damn near an hour, it must have been removed but it would have certainly raised some eyebrows and they were clearly saying they were U.S. Marines not Secret Service.

My Question: Do you get a black suits allowance? Do you go out to public locations to protect the exterior? Do you travel overseas when the HMX fleet goes? (I read on another forum site about a mother reporting that her son who was on Presidential Security Forces went to Spain and Italy.)

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A black suits allowance? Nah. You would get an extra couple of sets of Dress Blues and either be guarding Camp David or, more high-profile, be one of those Marines that you always see at the base of the steps of Marine One when it lands or takes off from the White House or at the doors of the White House. Only the MIB get the black suit allowance.

What would be the variation in duty responsibilities at PFC to that job compared to performing that duty as a Corporal on a second enlistment?

I'm assuming the experience would be more enjoyable at a higher rank and than there's always the opportunity to get into Presidential Support Specialist as a crew chief. I'm getting the idea that the one everyone really wants to get is the Presidential Support Specialist not Presidential Security Forces, because alot of pooles' are unknowingly describing Presidential Support Specialist under Presidential Security Forces.

Why would anyone want that duty and have to salute that son of a B all the time.

LOL; Yeah but thats what I hear about all the higher ups too!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Bull777

What would be the variation in duty responsibilities at PFC to that job compared to performing that duty as a Corporal on a second enlistment?

I'm assuming the experience would be more enjoyable at a higher rank and than there's always the opportunity to get into Presidential Support Specialist as a crew chief. I'm getting the idea that the one everyone really wants to get is the Presidential Support Specialist not Presidential Security Forces, because alot of pooles' are unknowingly describing Presidential Support Specialist under Presidential Security Forces.

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Speaking from personal experiance:

If you are in the yankee white program(0311 primary/ 8152 msf b-billet) you goto 8th and I and work there untill your clearance comes through. Then you are selected to goto Camp David or WHCA. If you goto camp david you will wear cammies all the time. WHCA Marines get a clothing allowence for suits because they travel overseas with the POTUS/VPOTUS.

carry on

one year between posts

HMX Marines don’t guard the President. The Secret Service does. HMX Marines guard the President’s helicopter. Yes, they do go all over the world and travel wherever the helicopter goes. But most of the time they provide security for the squadron at Quantico. They are MPs. They do a lot of MP type stuff. Walking post, checking badges at the front gate, checking in visitors etc. It’s a lot of low profile, no-glam, mind numbing work. And Quantico can get mighty cold in the winter. Guess who’s freezing their keester off at that checkpoint out on the flightline at 2am? Yep. That PFC who just checked into the unit who was all motivated because he thought he was going to hand Obama the nuclear missile key to go to war with Russia. Sure, you will get to do cool stuff. You’ll have the opportunity to go all over the world on Presidential trips. After you pick up some seniority you may even get to be that Marine saluting the President as he comes on/off the helicopter. May even make it on TV. But you never fly WITH him. You’ll most likely get to go to some pretty cool places. And it’s all very awesome. But the ratio of average/crappy times to awesome times is about 10:1. Even when you are out on trips you’ll still rarely be within 10 miles of the President. It’s more of the same. Walking post. Checking badges, ect. You probably have about 3 shifts of marines working 24 hours a day while you’re out on a trip. So when all the oil is changed and the screws are tightened all the crew chiefs, pilots and everyone else on the det go out on the town and gets drunk. Guess where at least a few security Marines are? Yep. Back at the hangar guarding the helicopter. Can’t leave it by itself. I would say that the one job I would not want at HMX is to be in security. No, I was not in security. But yes, I was there for 4 years.

I actually don’t think it is healthy to your Marine Corps career to go there straight out of school. Go out and get some fleet experience first. Then try to come to HMX. It will always be there. No need to rush it.

Good intel update, thanks Spartacus. Closing the year old thread now LOL