~~~~~Garrett Hazel
Reckon I should clarify the acronym "PSD", in mil-speak it's Personal Security Detachment. Basically it's a team of Our Guys who are tasked with the security of a "higher up". Ya know, one of the Big Boys in Charge.
The Marines of the 2nd MEB (Marine Expeditionary Brigade) that were tasked with the PSD for General David Petraeus, took their job very seriously. But I happen to think that Marines take any job they are given the same way.
Just the other day, I was speaking to my eldest brother as our family waited for our Momma to have a medical procedure completed, he said his 2nd son, a Marine, was concerned he wouldn't be given the security clearance he needed to deploy with his particular MOS. He was prepared to jump through any hoops deemed necessary to insure that wouldn't be the case. His CO investigated and informed him he needn't worry. He's turning into a fine young man as he starts his journey in the Marine Corps.
But I digress... continue on to read why "Failure is not an option."
Personal security from an outside perspective
By Cpl. Aaron Rooks, 2nd Marine Expeditionary Brigade
Jun 12, 2009 - 6:55:24 PM
... Blackanthem Military News
 |
| Sgt. Jace Aguilera, motor transport chief, Personal Security Detachment, Marine Expeditionary Brigade-Afghanistan, stands watch while Army Gen. David Petraeus, commander, U.S. Central Command, meets with MEB-Afghanistan leaders here May 25. The PSD Marines patrol different, interconnected areas to minimize the possibility of threats getting anywhere near the secured area. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Aaron Rooks). |
CAMP LEATHERNECK,
Helmand Province, Islamic Republic of Afghanistan -
The sun was high and the heat was at its peak. The sound of rocks crackling beneath service members' boots, the noise of construction work, and the voices were nowhere to be heard.
It was as if time came to a sudden halt.
Off in the distance, various Marines walked back and forth making sure the undisturbed area stayed that way. Each person or vehicle that came close to them was immediately turned away, with no questions asked and no explanations given.
After a few minutes a convoy arrived at the recently-deserted location. In one of the vehicles were Army Gen. David Petraeus, commander of U.S. Central Command, and Brig. Gen. Larry Nicholson, commanding general of Marine Expeditionary Brigade-Afghanistan.
Petraeus stepped out of the vehicle and proceeded to meet with the brigade's senior leadership. The Marines, still silently pacing nearby, acted as if nothing had changed. They continued moving back and forth from one spot to another, looking for anything or anyone who posed a threat.
"Our perspective is always outboard," said Sgt. Roy Price, platoon sergeant, Personal Security Detachment, MEB-Afghanistan. "Our mission is to identify any possible threats and negotiate them long before they ever reach the person we're protecting. We're focused on our mission, not the visitor."
The area remained silent, motionless and empty. The Marines on the ground patrolled different areas that interconnected with each other, while other Marines watched from elevated positions to eliminate any possible threat.
"Once the area is secured, you can see a threat coming from 30 meters away because there is nobody else around," said Price, an Allentown, Pa., native. "As for the Marines, they're focused and prepared to execute."...
Cpl. Aaron Rooks has more he has written about this special group of Marines. Please be sure to do the clicky click thing on the title link to finish this story and check out a few more photo's that accompany it.
You won't be sorry you did.
And so it goes......
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