Behind the Cover: The crisis-response plus-up

As the Corps solidifies its role as the nation’s go-to crisis-response force, new opportunities to serve in unique units are opening up to Marines.

The Marine Corps is standing up specialized units that focus on missions relating to crisis response. This includes the new type of special purpose Marine air-ground task force, like that which recently deployed to U.S. Africa Command, which is made up of hundreds of Marines including a reinforced rifle company. With aircraft and logistical support, the special purpose MAGTF-Crisis Response Force, is capable of responding to various emergencies in the region, including embassy reinforcement.

Similar forces are being considered for the Middle East, South America, Central America and the Caribbean.

Recruiting is also underway to fill 1,000 new Marine Security Guard slots authorized by Congress earlier this year. That growth will include a new unit within the Corps’ Embassy Security Group called the Security Augmentation Unit. About 120 trained MSGs with infantry experience will stand up that unit this summer. Those MSGs can respond to threats at diplomatic emergencies around the world at the direct request from the ambassador on the ground. They will be regional experts and will respond in squad-sized teams.

Leaders say these new measures won’t duplicate already existing capabilities like that of Fleet Antiterrorism Security Teams or Marine expeditionary units, which also assist with embassy security reinforcement. Instead, they say they’ll provide additional capabilities at a time of increased demand from combatant commanders and potential ship shortages.

For Marines, this can lead to opportunity to complete a B-billet or deploy during a time the service is drawing down its forces and getting more competitive.

Read the full story here, on Marine Corps Times’ Prime website. Or pick up a copy on newsstands now.