MSG warriors accept, excel at special
duty challenges
Posts: Baku , Azerbaijan
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Author: Story
by Gunnery Sgt. Sean Wright
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Source:
Submitted by: 4th
Marine Expeditionary Brigade
Story Identification Number: 200311694856
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11/6/2003
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BAKU, Azerbaijan - Extremely thick, bulletproof glass stands between
the entrance and the Marine Security Guard standing at Post 1 in the
U.S. Embassy here.
Deadly civil unrest erupted over recent presidential elections
here and the glass serves as a constant reminder of dangers associated
with any service abroad, especially as a uniformed member of the U.S.
Armed Forces.
Apparently undaunted by any potential danger, Cpl. Andres Pimentel, a
MSG from New York, N.Y., keeps his head swiveling between multiple
security monitors and the front door of the embassy. Somewhat of
a concert in motion occurs as he seamlessly "buzzes"
access-badge-holding personnel in and issues temporary passes to other
embassy visitors. An extremely calm presence that many may
consider impressive, conveys the young Marine's confidence as he serves
in this capital city, on the banks of the Caspian Sea, once encompassed
by the former Soviet Union.
Adding to the significance of the 22-year-old's responsibilities is
that most region map views include the relatively close city, Tehran,
Iran, where the U.S. Embassy was overrun in 1979, beginning a 444-day
hostage siege. Although too young to recall this situation,
Pimentel says this tremendous responsibility and meeting various heads
of state make enduring the long-hours and strenuous training
requirements bearable.
"I wanted to serve abroad as a Marine," Pimentel, an administrative
clerk prior to becoming an MSG, said. "I've gotten to meet the
President of the United States, The Honorable George W. Bush and
Secretary of State Colin Powell," an impressive list as he's on his
first post and has been here only 14 months.
MSGs, following completion of school at Quantico, Va., normally serve
two tours during their 30-month assignment. One assignment is
usually to a "hardship" post such as here.
"It is slightly more difficult (serving at a hardship post), on
your quality of life," Pimentel, who also serves as the Mess NCO for
the detachment, said. "Aside from serving as watch standers, each
MSG is assigned a collateral responsibility to support the operational
needs of the detachment. "It gets demanding because you normally
take care of your collateral responsibilities on one of your 'days
off,' but I look at it as enhancing my marketability for civilian
opportunities once I leave the Corps. Many employers look for
potential personnel with specialized skills in areas like those
assigned as collateral duties here."
More bulletproof glass in a light armored vehicle, while on MSG duty
refers to a full-sized U.S. manufactured sport utility vehicle,
modified with the special glass and armor plating in doors and other
key locations, separates GySgt. Jesse Mafnas, Detachment
Commander, MSG Detachment Baku, Co. A., Marine Security Guard Bn., 4th
Marine Expeditionary Brigade (Anti-Terrorism), and his Marines from
potential threats during necessary official travel. In
addition to the enormous administrative, operational and training
responsibilities involved in leading an isolated detachment, Detachment
Commanders also work closely with embassies' Regional Security
personnel to ensure constant accountability of all classified material
and safeguard American lives and property if threatened.
Mafnas, a Barrigada, Guam native, served previously as a watch stander
at U.S Embassies in Moscow, Seoul, and Calcutta, India, stated the near
constant operational tempo is challenging but a small price to pay to
enjoy the billet of commander, a position rarely bestowed upon enlisted
Marines.
"You get used to the tremendous pace after a while," Mafnas said.
"Practically all flights leave and depart here very early and there's
plenty of challenges both administratively and operationally.
Because this is an independent duty, Marines are expected to perform at
certain levels of standards that do not require constant
supervision. I conduct spot checks to ensure Marines are
maintaining and performing to the level of proficiency both on duty and
their assigned collateral duties," he said as the protected vehicle
slows to enter a heavy, steel gate that provides "stand off" protection
for the recently acquired Marine House inside.
Serving in foreign locations away from traditional bases and
maintaining the necessary close ties with State Department personnel
warrant that MSG-duty Marines reside in civilian homes vice
barracks. Detachment Commanders are provided a separate
residence, and are the only personnel who can be assigned to the duty
if married.
Inside the gate, standing outside the spacious, four-story with
additional basement home, stands Sgt. Corey P. Santasky, the Assistant
Detachment Commander or "A-slash" in MSG lingo. Santasky serves
as a conduit on all detachment commander responsibilities and serves as
the Bachelor's Enlisted Quarters manager as a collateral
assignment. The BEQ, in this case, is full of challenges
completing and maintaining the detachments dwelling that
includes: numerous bedrooms; a nearly-completed bar facility; an
indoor swimming pool and a fully-equipped workout facility in the
basement that would be the envy of many small fitness centers.
The property also includes an outdoor grill and bar area and has a
rather scenic landscaped courtyard appearance.
"There are too many moving parts for anyone alone to stay abreast of on
this duty," Santasky, a Middletown, Conn., native, said. "I
reside with the detachment in the house and there's naturally some
inherent leadership responsibilities required with that, but I mostly
reinforce and support the detachment commanders directions.
Perhaps a slightly more-than-normally strained "A-Slash" with the
recent move from an aging Marine House that had began to have
structural problems, the machine-gunner serving on his second post
keeps it all in perspective.
"It's completely different scheduling necessary maintenance and getting
what-would-be routine construction issues in the states completed,"
Santasky, currently serving on his second post, explained.
"Available material and the available workforce from region to
region. It can be extremely difficult to accomplish something
that would hardly require a telephone call back in the
fleet."
One area in the quarters fully functional is the lounge and television
viewing area. Cpl. Philip H. Bauer serves as the Navy Motion
Picture Service NCO and facilitates an impressive schedule of recently
releases movies to keep the Marines in touch with current releases in
the states. Bauer, from Ellsworth, Wis., also serves as the
Supply and Reaction NCO. This requires a substantial amount of
time maintaining routine garrison supplies and additional military
equipment used should current threat levels elevate.
"I just have to learn, not make the same error twice and be as thorough
as possible," said the administrative clerk who maintains everything
from certain medical supplies to armored vests. "It seems
overwhelming initially, but challenges are why we come on this duty."
Just down the hall from the television lounge is a room filled with
computer equipment and reading materials. From here, Cpl.
Christopher Matthews from Lake Jackson, Texas, maintains an impressive
professional military and distance education learning center as the
detachment's training NCO.
"The command really presses distance learning and Marines can complete
a lot of courses if they're interested while on this duty," the
tow-gunner added. "One of the biggest challenges is the
connection speed because we have to use 'dial-up' access on fairly
antiquated lines. We're working to get a direct line from the
embassy."
Morale, welfare and recreation are key elements in keeping the watch
standers relaxed and focused on their duties. Cpl. Steven K.
Alton serves as the MWR NCO. When not on watch, the KC-130
mechanic maintains a program ranging from sporting equipment issue to
official trips and outings detachments are authorized to wind down on
these rigorous assignments.
Alton, from Eureka, Calif., also provides a good portion of the
detachment's comedic relief when necessary, he explains.
"Sometimes you just have to keep your sense of humor and focus on
what's really important," he said. "I'll be departing this
detachment soon and although a hardship post offers some challenges,
you seem to become closer to the Marines because there's not as many
opportunities to be isolated on liberty and stuff."
Despite the unique opportunities available for Marines willing to take
on the challenges of serving on MSG duty, the program continues to
struggle to meet its personnel requirements and is currently more than
120 watch standers short. This creates morale problems and
increases demands on existing personnel already stretched fairly thin,
according to LtCol. David Wogaman, commanding officer, Co. A., MSG Bn.,
4th MEB (AT).
A Washington, DC native, Wogaman explains Marines have unique
opportunities to excel as a MSG.
"When you weigh the potential benefits of unique foreign assignments,
increased SDA pay, and an opportunity to continue the more than 100
years of Marine Service with the Department of State, I find it
difficult to reason why we're not filling all our billets and turning
qualified Marines away," Wogaman said. "This is demanding duty
and the school will require long, demanding hours from both watch
standers and detachment commanders. We have fine Marines
that do great things on a daily basis. Many days are challenging,
but this only makes the rewards much greater. I'm sure there are
many qualified Marines capable of performing admirably on MSG
duty. Unlike recruiting and drill instructor duty, we're an
all-volunteer force and I challenge qualified Marines to join us."
Marines interested or who would like more information on how to serve
keeping Americans and America's secrets free with Marines in Baku or
more than 132 other locations across the globe, contact your unit's
career planner.
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