BSRF Marines visit U.S. Embassy Bucharest

Photo By Sgt. Sean Berry | A Marine Security Guard speaks with Marines from Black Sea Rotational Force 17.1 during their visit to U.S. Embassy Bucharest in Bucharest, Romania, March 10, 2017. Marines visited U.S. Embassy Bucharest to learn more about their role if they were required to reinforce an embassy in a crisis situation. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Sean J. Berry)  

BUCHAREST, ROMANIA

03.10.2017

Story by Cpl. Sean Berry 

U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Europe and Africa     

Since 1948, the U.S. Marines have been assigned to protect and serve the various American embassies overseas with the first of Marine Security Guards taking their post with the U.S. State Department.
With a visit to U.S. Embassy Bucharest in Bucharest, Romania, the Marines of Black Sea Rotational Force 17.1 reaffirmed their commitment to duty as a force in readiness on March 10, 2017.
“Today we liaison and trained with the Marines of BSRF to familiarize them with embassy operations,” said Bryce A. Miles, the regional security officer with U.S. Embassy Bucharest. “They got to understand the things they could expect if they were to deploy to an embassy and how they would be supported and how they would support us.”
Marines learned about the importance of embassy reinforcement and the various day to day operations they could become a part of if called upon to response to an embassy crisis.

"Events like today help our Marines understand how they can best support embassy security if the situation requires it,” said Lt. Col. David Emmel, commanding officer for the unit. “It as well demonstrates the commitment of Black Sea Rotational Force, and the entire Marine Corps to embassy security and promoting regional stability."
This is the first interaction with any embassy for most of the Marines of BSRF 17.1 but certainly not the last as they plan to rehearse incorporating themselves into embassy operations.
“I’m very much looking forward to working with these Marines in the future, the state department and the Marine Corps have a special relationship,” said Miles.
They also had an opportunity to visit with the Marines and other security guards on post at the embassy, witnessing their duty and the responsibilities that come with serving at the embassy.
"I would like to thank the Regional Security Officer, Mr. Bryce, and his staff for dedicating their valuable time to provide an embassy orientation to our Marines and Sailors," said Emmel.
The relationship between the U.S. State Department, its employees and the Marines with MSG and BSRF run deeper than just responding to any crisis that may rise.
“When diplomats and family members see the Marines deployed to protect an embassy, it instantly creates that peace of mind,” said Miles. “We know we have the security that we need with the Marines and we know we will be safe in our work environments.”

• Date Taken: 03.10.2017
• Date Posted: 03.15.2017 08:24
• Story ID: 226628
• Location: BUCHAREST, RO