Marine Corps Commandant bodyguards?

I don’t know how long this linked picture will be active, but hopefully you’ll be able to see Marine Corps Commandant Hagee in the foreground while off to his left, against a wall I think, are at least two or three soldiers who appear to be his bodyguards. I say this because of their demeanour and their weapons (Uzis as far as I can tell).

My questions are i) Am I right? Are they bodyguards and, of the greater interest to me, ii) what would their military backgrounds likely be? Rangers? Delta? Something else?

Thanks in advance.

Looks more like a HK MP5 to me. But I think they are just his security detail, and could be from any unit. I don’t think they traveled to Iraq with him; I think they were already in-theater and operate as escorts for any high-profile visitor. Is there a “Security” sub-MOS?

Most likely they’re attending the meeting and there are no seats left. I doubt three bodyguards would be standing together watching him speak.

How much good could they be doing as a security detail when other Marines, sitting closer to him, also appear to be armed?

BTW, “their demeanor?”

Fair enough.

Still, I think that I can see some empty seats (at least two are visible). In terms of their demeanour, I meant that they seem less transfixed by the General than the guys sitting down (whose eyes are fixed on him).

They also remind me very much of guys I saw in a picture of Gen. Schwarzkopf during Desert Storm where the caption made explicit mention that they were his bodyguards.

I am embarrassed, BTW, that I suggested that various Army units would guard a Marine General :smack:. What’s the elite Marine “equivalent”?

Their weapons are not ready for use in that photo. If they were a security detachment, they’d have their hands on their weapons. I agree: standing room only.

It would make economic sense that Personal Security Detachments are done by private state department contractors such as Dynacorp or Blackwater S.C. IIRC Blackwater handles the security, including VIP protection, of the “Green Zone” in Iraq, complete with their own armed helicopters and such.

Marine Force Reconnaissance.

Many high ranking military officials have body guards. They are normally supplied by either Secret Service(think this is for SecDef, and other civilians), or specially trained MPs. I have heard that Infantry will also do body guard duties, but have not seen it myself.

-Otanx

I would agree with this. They certainly wouldn’t be there to “protect” the General from the Marines, but would just be standing by until he finishes his talk and leaves.

Very rarely do any of the dozens of private security firms in Iraq work for the military, if ever. They are providing site security, secure transportation and close protection for contractors & other private firms with state department contracts (like Halliburton) and the occasional state department employee.

The military does all of their own protection. Elite units such as Rangers and Delta don’t do it. They have better things to do.

Blackwater may be (in)famous but they aren’t the only people operating in the GZ, nor are they the most professional or proficient.

I understand that’s a problem with some of these bodyguard units. Here you have guys who are very well trained for combat, yet unlike Rangers or Special Forces they hardly ever get to see any action. It can be pretty hard on morale.