There is an old joke in the Corps about the applicant
who, being told by a recruiter that he would be going to Parris Island,
replied, "Great. I always wanted to go to France." While it is not at
all unusual for today's Marines to visit France while on deployment to
the Mediterranean or other parts of Europe, only a select few are
assigned to duty in Paris. Nearly all of them are Marine Security
Guards serving at the American Embassy.
What is duty like in Paris, quite probably the most
beautiful and romantic city in the world? It depends on whom you talk
to. For some, it is a dream come true while others actually prefer to
serve in a comparatively backward, third-world country like many of the
poverty-stricken countries of Africa. And both types of individual feel
their reasons are very valid.
As for Paris, many of the attractions are quite obvious.
There are large numbers of historical and cultural sites to be found in
and around the city. In addition, the short distances and excellent
roads and transportation systems make visiting other areas of France
and many other European countries a breeze. Popular day trips are to
Normandy, Versailles, Fontainebleu and the battlefield at Belleau Wood,
a mecca for Marines.
Those embassy Marines who try hard enough can become
conversant, if not fluent, in French. Military history buffs are able
to study great battlefields from World War II back to antiquity, more
than they'll ever have time to see. On the other end of the spectrum,
Paris is an art lover's paradise, with the Louvre, the Orsay Museum,
the Invalides and some 100 other museums, 200 art galleries and a
steady stream of temporary exhibits. Chateaux, palaces, castles and
magnificent cathedrals dot the countryside throughout France.
What functions are performed by the Marine Security
Guards while on duty in Paris? Other than a more abundant ration of
ceremonial appearances, the duty is essentially the same as in other
embassy posts throughout the world. MSG Paris also is a larger
detachment than most with more posts to man.
The detachment has a table of organization strength of
two staff noncommissioned officers and 24 watchstanders. The actual
strength varies. When this story was being researched, they were short
seven Marines, but replacements were on the way.
Operational control of the detachment comes under the
Department of State's regional security officer, Andy Colantonio. The
Marines stand seven posts, not all of which are manned for 24 hours.
The posts are located in the embassy itself and in three other embassy
buildings. Access into three of the four buildings is controlled by
Marines.
The norm for the duty section is eight hours on and 16
off. In addition, there are 10 days a month off. It is possible to take
three or four days off and visit such places as Brussels, Belgium;
Dublin, Ireland; or London. The guard posts are all interior, with
local private guards handling the exteriors and French gendarmes around
the perimeter.
The land occupied by the embassy is some of the most
coveted in the world. It lies between the luxurious Crillon Hotel and
the Presidential Palace. The Place de la Concorde is to the left front
of the embassy, and in a couple of minutes you can be strolling to the
right along the Champs Élysées toward the Arc de
Triomphe. To the left you can walk through the Garden of Tuileries down
to the Louvre.
The noncommissioned officer in charge of the detachment
is Master Sergeant Richard Doxtader, a combat engineer by military
occupational specialty. Born in Michigan, he grew up in Phoenix. He
reported to Marine Security Guard School at Quantico, Va., from the 1st
Combat Engineer Battalion at Camp Pendleton, Calif. His first post was
Tel Aviv, Israel, in July 1996, followed by Paris in September 1997.
"It's the best duty in the Corps. I wish I had come out
sooner," he said. "It's the only billet in the Marine Corps where a
staff NCO is the commander.
"Staff NCOs who want to go on MSG duty should have some
computer skills, administrative knowledge and leadership. Forget the
9-to-5 job, you're always playing catch-up, particularly if it is a
larger, more complex detachment," the "Top" said. "You have a lot of
balls in the air, and you have to know which ones not to drop.
"For those with children, the schools throughout most or
all of the [MSG] program are excellent. They are usually small schools,
and they follow a curriculum established by the Department of Defense,"
he said. "For the younger Marines, I believe the biggest thing about
MSG duty is the travel. They are ambassadors in blue who represent the
United States wherever they go. While on the program they should be
able to get an [associate of arts] degree," Top Doxtader said.
He added, "It is possible for them to save $10,000 to
$20,000 while on the program. At some posts they can live mainly off of
the COLA [cost-of-living allowance] and save the rest. The COLA here is
higher because of the very high price on goods and services. For
example, the cook at the Marine House, who might be paid $50 a month at
some posts, costs $2,400 a month in Paris." The bottom line, according
to MSgt Doxtader, is that MSG duty is a great opportunity for Marines
who are mature and motivated. "You come out of school motivated, but
there are a lot of distractions, and you have to remain focused," he
said.
Top Doxtader and his assistant detachment commander or
"A-slash," Staff Sergeant Kenny Hopkins, and their families live in the
State Department's Neuilly Compound, about 31/2 miles from the embassy.
The remainder of the Marines live in another State Department compound
across the road from the famous Bois de Boulogne, a huge wooded park on
the outskirts of Paris, to the west. It is about 51/2 miles to the
embassy and can take from 15 to 45 minutes to drive, depending on the
time of day and traffic.
You might think that the MSGs would come mainly from
infantry or military police fields, but they don't. You are likely to
find most military occupational skills represented on embassy duty.
Sergeant Ryan Faught of Medina, Ohio, is a HAWK missile
operator who came to MSG duty from Marine Corps Air Station, Yuma,
Ariz. At the time of the interview he had about 90 days to the end of
his enlistment and planned to enroll at Kent State University in Ohio
to study computer illustration. While on embassy duty, his primary
assignments were in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and Lisbon, Portugal. He
wrapped up his tour with a temporary additional duty assignment to
Paris. He said, "When I go to school, I will use the time management,
leadership and organizational skills I learned in my 41/2 years in the
Corps."
Sgt Barrett Broyles' military specialty is traffic
management. He entered the MSG program from Headquarters and Service
Bn, Marine Corps Base, Okinawa, at Camp Kinser. His first assignment
was to Kathmandu, Nepal, a post with a detachment commander and five
watchstanders. Paris was a huge change. Sgt Broyles has the critically
important additional duty (which rotates periodically) of
noncommissioned officer in charge of the mess. He is responsible for
collecting the mess bills each month, which cover the cook's salary and
his local taxes, food costs and other incidentals. The mess budget is
about $5,000 per month compared to $500 at Sgt Broyles' last
assignment. His duties also include making out the menu following the
applicable order from Marine Security Guard Bn in Quantico. "It's
pretty tough in a large detachment, knowing what they like and with
people changing continually," he said. Help is provided by two
assistants and a mess advisory board, which larger detachments have.
Milk and produce are delivered locally while a supply
run is made twice a month to SHAPE (Supreme Headquarters Allied
Expeditionary Powers, Europe) near Brussels, for the majority of other
food items and other household supplies. Who does the cooking at Marine
House? The chef is Lahadi Rouabah, who is in his third year. Prior to
that he cooked in "D" Building, another embassy property. With a chef
skilled in preparing many great French dishes, what's on the menu?
Mostly American dishes such as chicken nuggets, pizza, etc. "Breakfast
is to order, lunch is to order, and the evening meal is from the menu,
but is American," he said. "I am very proud to work for the Marines,"
said Rouabah. "Everyone in France knows they are the finest military
service in the world."
The duty is very demanding, according to Sgt Broyles,
with many restrictions. The hardest part is keeping focused. "But for
Marines who want to see the world, it's the best," he said. "The travel
is unbelievable." Since entering MSG duty, he has been to more than 19
countries on personal travel or on duty. Since arriving in Paris, in
addition to travel in France and Belgium, he has visited Geneva,
Switzerland and London, as well as Berlin and Ramstein, Germany. Paris
is busy with a steady stream of visitors including the President,
Secretary of State, the Commandant of the Marine Corps and many other
dignataries.
"One thing about the program is that it can give you a
dilemma. Really, the experience you gain through working with the
diplomatic community gives you an edge going into another governmental
field. I love the Marine Corps, but I am looking at my options,"
Broyles said.
Marine House is one of three apartment buildings in the
embassy compound. The other two are for embassy personnel and their
families. It is not luxurious by any means, but appears to be very
comfortable and functional. There are four floors with the ground floor
having a TV room, laundry with washers and dryers, billiards and game
room, bar and movie room, and a weapons simulator (9-mm. pistol,
shotgun and M16 rifle) for training. The first floor (our second) holds
the dining room, galley, gym and two apartments of four bedrooms each.
The upper floors are devoted to apartments and a storage area.
Marine House hosts several functions during the year for
embassy personnel and their families. Events such as a Fourth of July
barbecue with volleyball, children's games, etc., which drew more than
200 people, have been popular. Transportation to and from the embassy
is no problem. An embassy vehicle and five drivers provide a ride 24
hours a day.
Corporal Melisa Laredo was the only woman assigned to
the detachment at the time. She is an administrative clerk by MOS and
entered the program from First Force Service Support Group at Camp
Pendleton. Paris is her first post. Why did she choose MSG duty? "I
always wanted to travel. I have been to Hong Kong, Beijing, Germany and
Belgium. It's great duty being able to experience different cultures
and interact with people. And, here, I have all my 'big brothers,' "
she said.
"You need to be able to adapt well, particularly with no
other females. It can be lonely. If you need that, you shouldn't go,
but if you can adapt, it's great," she added.
"Here, I'm doing things I've always wanted to do. Off
duty, I take dance lessons and acting. For my second post I'd like to
go to South America. I would like to learn more of my heritage and
improve my Spanish," she said.
The detachment's A-slash or assistant NCOIC is SSgt
Kenny Hopkins, a traffic management operations chief by MOS. Basically,
his duties pick up at wherever Top Doxtader's stop. When the Top is
away, he picks up his duties also.
"It's demanding, but rewarding also, great duty for a
staff NCO. I highly recommend it to all Marines. You have to have a
positive attitude and be able to adapt to the environment you're in.
The duty presents challenges but many rewards also."
SSgt Hopkins and his wife, Larea, a former Marine who
had five years in the Corps, live in a three-bedroom apartment that
they feel is quite nice. Staff NCOs in Paris can count on lots of
visits from family and friends. They make periodic runs to SHAPE, 21/2
to 3 hours away, for commissary and PX items. Dental and medical needs
are also treated there, although using the American Hospital in Paris
is an option.
He believes the biggest advantage of MSG duty is being
able to see parts of the world other Marines don't get to see. Also,
there is much more responsibility than on normal duty assignments.
"Some of the Marines interact with the locals and others
with the diplomatic community. But it's all educational and
worthwhile," he said. Travel opportunities are abundant. He and his
wife went to Biarritz over the Labor Day weekend. "We have also been to
the south of France, England, Ireland, Spain and to Brussels," he said.
"If you can stay balanced, you can't match the duty."
There is always an element of danger on embassy duty.
This was brought home sharply to Sgt Shawn Jackson last year. Jackson
is an artilleryman, who was stationed at the Marine Corps Air Ground
Combat Center at Twentynine Palms, Calif., in "India" Battery, 3d Bn,
11th Marines when he reported to MSG School. His first post was to
Nairobi, Kenya, in March 1997, followed by assignment to Paris in May
1998.
"In August, I had just returned from leave, and they
told me my prior embassy had been blown up and that I was being sent
down there to help out. I was really worried because I knew everyone
there. I was sent first to Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, for about three
days and then to Nairobi.
"It was very hectic, a cold, eerie feeling. The
diplomatic community really came together, but it wasn't the same. It
was no longer the beautiful Kenya it had been before.
"I would rather serve in a third-world country. The
American and diplomatic communities are much closer. You develop really
close friends. I lost several friends in the bombing.
"I learned a lot in that country. Africa is different in
many ways from what you see on TV. It has much to offer if you look for
it," he said. "MSG is a great opportunity to advance yourself, and you
learn that the world doesn't stop at the borders of the U.S. It's what
you make of it. "
All of Nairobi was affected. All of those there
suffered. All helped to recover. It was a good feeling to see the other
embassies fly their flags at half-mast, out of respect," he concluded.
And there you have it--from the beauty and joie de vie
of Paris to the suffering in Nairobi and Dar es Salaam in the aftermath
of the bombings. It pretty well sums up embassy duty. There are the
glamour, excitement and adventure of the travel and assignment to
exotic lands. But always lurking in the background is the inherent
danger of being out on the front lines of democracy.
That's why U.S. Marines are chosen to guard American
embassies.
Since the
story was researched, MSgt Doxtader has been transferred to the embassy
in Kuwait City, Kuwait, and SSgt Hopkins has become NCOIC of MSG
Detachment, Conakry, Guinea. Taking their places are GySgts Michael D.
Berg and Matthew Waybright. Others have come and gone. The one constant
remains the impressive quality of the young men and women assigned to
the Marine Security Guard program. If you want more information, or to
find out if you qualify, contact your career planner.