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DHAKA, Bangladesh – To take charge of this post and all government property in view…this General Order resonates in the minds and actions of all Marine Security Guard Detachment Dhaka watch standers.
These Marines, like many others on the MSG program, spend six weeks in school once selected by a recruiter and later are assigned to an American embassy post around the world.
The Marines assigned to U.S. Embassy Dhaka, Bangladesh take pride in their duty and service as ambassadors.
Their mission though it seems simple to an outsider, is more complex than imagined. The Marines have to take into consideration the situation and apply the correct measures to stop or prevent any threats within or outside of their post.
With constant civil unrest in the region looming and the need for the Marines to maintain their specialized skill set team Dhaka trains continuously.
“Training is important because we train like we fight,"said Sgt. Trevor Mathisen, a watch stander with MSG Detachment Dhaka, Marine Corps Embassy Security Group, Marine Corps Combat Development Command, Headquarters Marine Corps.
The North St. Paul, Minn., native added, "If you don’t execute training like you do in real life then when the adrenaline is going you need to be able to fall back on something you have consistently done. It becomes muscle memory.”
The MSG Marines conduct several training evolutions such as defensive tactics, natural disaster and intruder containment drills.
Many of their daily duties are monotonous by nature, but the MSG Marines do not allow complacency to set in.
College classes are among the activities the Marines take advantage of in order to be more productive in their off time. They even help each other if any difficulties come up.
"We're all enrolled in college classes," Sgt. Matthew Lineberry, a New Haven, Ind. native and watch stander with MSG Detachment Dhaka, MCESG, MCCDC, HQMC. "I remember when I first got here Cpl. Bowman helped me out with enrolling and now I'm taking college classes just like the rest of the team."
For the team, unit cohesion goes hand-in-hand with their preparedness.
"Unit cohesion is important because we're such a small unit, and it's important for us to be able to rely on one another," Staff Sgt. Jason Williamson, a Stamps, Ark., native and detachment commander with MSG Detachment Dhaka, MCESG, MCCDC, HQMC.. "If one man in our detachment goes down we need that trust in one another to continue to operate."
Also, sports is another venue in which the Marines invest their time.
"I try to get involved with pretty much anything thats going," said Cpl. Cody Bowman, a watch stander, MSG Detachment Dhaka, MCESG, MCCDC, HQMC. "We play sports like ultimate frisbee, basketball and a lot of the times we try to get the locals involved."
According to Bowman, the language barrier can be a setback with the locals, but doesn't hinder their relationship and daily interaction.
"Sometimes it's hard to understand what the locals are saying but we eventually pick up on little things," said Bowman, a Tehachapi, Calif. native and watch stander on his first tour with the MSG.
The Marines agreed that the opportunities afforded by the program are unique and if interested it's worth pursuing.
"The MSG program is a good opportunity for Marines to get out and travel the world," said Lineberry. "It's not everyday that a Marine could represent their country and the Corps."
The MSG motto is firm, courteous, tactful and with that in mind the program continues to train, place Marines around the world to serve as ambassadors and protectors of American soil abroad.
| Date Taken: | 04.30.2011 |
| Date Posted: | 05.03.2011 15:46 |
| Story ID: | 69794 |
| Location: | DHAKA, BD |
| Web Views: | 259 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, MSG Detachment Dhaka stands ready, by GySgt David J. Drafton, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
