TWENTYNINE PALMS, Calif. - The 1st Law Enforcement Battalion’s personal security detail demonstrated their skills during a simulated key leader engagement exercise with Brig. Gen. James Hartsell, the 1st Marine Expeditionary Brigade deputy commanding general, July 11.
The Marines escorted Hartsell to showcase their skills as a PSD team for the newly established battalion during exercise Javelin Thrust 2012, an annual exercise with 1st MEB at Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, Calif., which involved active and reserve Marines and sailors.
The security detachment is vital where enemy contact is imminent since they’re able to provide additional security to ensure that key leaders are unharmed.
“They’ve done a great job for their first time,” Hartsell said. “What I’m trying to do is throw change on the move which helps them learn to adjust to security wherever they are, whether its an internal or external threat. Whatever the threat or potential threat is, they adjust to it.”
Hartsell visited training areas to test the battalion’s PSD skills. This is the first time the Marines conducted PSD training since the battalion was established in June.
“For first time out, the Marines did really well,” said Cpl. Brandon Miller, a military policeman with 1st LE Bn. “Small things could have been better, but that will come with time as they learn to work as a team and work longer together.”
Of the 13-man team, Miller is the only Marine to have completed PSD training. He trained his Marines how to conduct a PSD escort and said they did very well for the amount of training they’ve received.
“I’ve worked a PSD before and these guys are hitting all the key points of what they need to do,” Hartsell said.
As the battalion continues to grow and develop the PSD Marines will receive more training to better prepare for missions that might take key leaders into a potentially threatening situation.