Presidential Security MOS?

[Sgt Leprechaun]

Buick, that is a negative. Sorry. However, if you go the crew chief route, you can get into HMX 1 that way. You'll be flying the Prez, not just standing at the door looking pretty on TV! LOL.

[PPIA62]

What does the presidential security guard do? I have heard look good and stand next to the pres and I have also heard sit in a helo near by and wait for something to happen.

[gobuffs10]

I was told they also guard places like Camp David and such.

[onux16]

I don't know much about the Security Guards and where they post, but I have seen them personally at wherever the President lands. Of the two Marines saluting the President, one is a security guard; the other is an HMX-1 Crew Chief.

The Security Guards have posts all over the place. The Secret Service in charge of protecting the President, though, so don't get your hopes up too much

[Pete0331]

The Security Guards have posts all over the place. The Secret Service in charge of protecting the President, though, so don't get your hopes up too much

Exactly, If you want to join the Marines and spend 3/4 of an enlistment standing guard so be it.
If you want to guard the President get a degree and join the Secret Service.
Just remember that most of them rotate back to the fleet and know ****e about their MOS after standing post for three years.

[onux16]

That applies to guards, mechanics and crew chiefs alike. HMX-1 is a different beast in itself compared to the fleet.

[jmanwarhammer]

My apologies if I'm reviving a dead thread but I've done a bit of reading on the Presidential Security MOS and was hoping that I could tap some of the more knowledgeable folks around this forum, and as the topic was right here I felt it would bear the best results. I am currently slated for this MOS (pending my background check which I assure you is not a concern for me).

-Can you be married and still have this MOS? I saw on the paper work a clause about being married but my recruiter either doesn't know much about the specifics or wont tell me. I have a fiance and obviously this could create a problem.

-What stations are this MOS likely to go? I noticed on this board and on the paperwork that I could be sent to Marine Corp Barracks Washington D.C. (mentioned both here and in the paperwork), Camp David (mentioned here), and possibly "Special Weapons" (which I assume is guarding nuclear, chemical, or some other variety of weapon and was mentioned only in the paperwork)

-About how long is this MOS tour for? The papers say that I have enlisted for 5 years and upon the completion of my guarding tour I will be reassigned to regular infantry for the remainder of my term, but it does not say how long the tour will be.

-What will my duties be in this MOS? I know its Presidential Security but I don't know what that entails exactly.

-Are there any added benefits to this program? I'm looking to get into MECEPS within the next few years and I was wondering if this would help me in that endeavor.


In answering these questions you may find the following helpful...
I have asked my recruiter all these questions and for one reason or the other he either doesn't know, cant tell me, or is unwilling to tell me. I was also told that I was selected for this job along with two or three other enlistees across America because of my high ASVAB scores and my choice of Infantry. My original MOS was what I understand is called B6 where at the end of boot I'm handed a list of MOSs that I can choose from and then be on my merry way (to infantry), but apparently "they" changed it to the Presidential option.

And so you know what my plans are for my enlistment in the Corp, and if it has any bearing on these questions, or you would like to offer some advice (please keep in mind that this is the ideal/perfect route that my career would go and I in no way expect it to be easy or without complications)...
I plan on enlisting in infantry (out of personal conviction and I also have the understanding that infantry tend to be promoted faster) and attaining E-4 within two to three years, obtaining the necessary waivers to become a candidate for MECEPS, going to school to get my degree in Mechanical Engineering (or possibly Political Science- I find both fascinating but feel the the Engineering route is a more secure future), returning from MECEPS as an officer and serving the requisite 4 years and then either leaving the service after what could be 10-12 years or continuing and retiring after 20 years (I'm not entirely certain which one I'll go, it would depend on my marriage and whether or not I would still want to stay in the future).

I hope I've provided you with enough information to answer my questions so, in advance, thank you.

[hardcorps1110]

One of my buddies just picked up what he called "Presidential Detail". I don't know what he went through to get it but I could put you in contact with him.

[CplGiraffe]

-Can you be married and still have this MOS? I saw on the paper work a clause about being married but my recruiter either doesn't know much about the specifics or wont tell me. I have a fiance and obviously this could create a problem.

I don't know anything about this specific MOS, however when I filled my forms out (for signals intel) the marriage part basicly said if you were married then your spouse could cause you to not get a clearance, for instance if they were in some way associated to terrorists or etc.

[jmanwarhammer]

One of my buddies just picked up what he called "Presidential Detail". I don't know what he went through to get it but I could put you in contact with him.

Your friend is actually in that MOS?

[onux16]

@jmanwarhammer
MossMC hit the nail on the head. Hypothetically, if your wife were to apply for the security clearance and would be denied, you would be denied, too. Sometimes there is a work-around, though. I know a girl whose family are Irish terrorists (sounds funny, but it's true). She didn't know about them until the investigator dug them up. Since the girl has no relation to them outside of bloodline, she isn't considered a factor to national security.

As for job duties, I know strictly about the guys I work around. From my point of view, it's basically firewatch everyday. They're assigned a post and conduct the duties of that post until properly relieved by the next gaurd. Those with authorization to enter may go through the gate; those without must leave or be escorted. There are Marine guardsmen wherever the President and HMX-1 go.

The added benefit is having Presidential Yankee White security. From what I've read, it's the highest Top Secret clearance the military can issue. There are guys who have left HMX-1 with no college education -- just their military training and the clearance -- and have scored jobs with six-figure incomes. Plus there are programs that get you jobs based on the fact you're a Marine.

[Achped]

When I was in boot I got selected for this, as did my buddy. We both passed the screening and were headed for the school (which has the nicest barracks rooms in the freaking Marine Corps bar none)

Neither one of us got it, he knocked his girl up, so he got sent to security forces (no dependents) and I became a broke dick POG and its only open to 0300s....

They will sit down all the eligible 03s and go over countless times who is married, who is a druggy, etc etc, you need to be CLEAN.

[yellowwing]

When I was in boot I got selected for this, as did my buddy. We both passed the screening and were headed for the school (which has the nicest barracks rooms in the freaking Marine Corps bar none)

Neither one of us got it, he knocked his girl up, so he got sent to security forces (no dependents) and I became a broke dick POG and its only open to 0300s....

They will sit down all the eligible 03s and go over countless times who is married, who is a druggy, etc etc, you need to be CLEAN.

But it speaks volumes that they come to the Marine Corps to safe guard The Man.

[jmanwarhammer]

To be clear, it was his wife getting pregnant that disqualified him from the job not actually having a wife. And out of curiosity what went awry with your attempt?

Where would I likely be stationed?

Can anyone offer some constructive criticism about my plans in the military?

Also, this is a big issue, I need to be home for Christmas this year. As it stands I leave on the 26th of this month which would in theory put me in boot camp for the holidays. I addressed this issue with my recruiter and he told me that recruits would be sent home for a number of days over the Christmas holiday and then return to finish basic. Now this doesn't seem right, I've done the research and I see no mention of this any where (with the exception of Christmas Exodus- but I don't believe that is for recruits still in basic). Can someone tell me if I'm paranoid or if my recruiter has told me a bold faced lie.

Note: If you feel any of these questions would be better received in another section let me know and I'll repost as needed.

[onux16]

You posted in the right forum, jman. Also, I've never heard of recruits going home; I know a guy (coincidentally, a Pres. security guard) who was still in training through the holidays. I think your recruiter is pulling a fast one. If you need to be home for Christmas, then you're better off changing your shipping date.

I understand you're curious about the job, but if you are eligible, you'll be stationed wherever you are needed in a location you and I both mentioned in earlier posts, and that's all any of us can tell you. In other words, it's based on the needs of the Marine Corps.

As for your plans, you shouldn't base your Marine Corps career on an MOS that supposedly promotes faster. For example, this month, almost the entire 03xx is closed for Corporals [www.manpower.usmc.mil > Cutting Scores] while my job went from a decent 1593 to a really low 1416. Likewise, MECEP is extremely competitive, and even though almost 1/3 of the guys who signed up got it, you might not be so lucky next time around. Don't expect getting your degree this way, but it's always good to hope and to be the best Marine possible in order to stand out from the rest. You have goals, though, and you know what you want, and it will take you far in the Corps.

Before I wrap this up, if you didn't know already, you can use the Tuition Assistance program to earn a degree while serving. You'll learn more about this in recruit training and through gouge while on active duty.