Email 

MSGInfo@usmc.mil

Work Phone Number

+1 703-432-2701/2702

Duty Cell Phone Number

+1 571-243-2194

All prerequisites must be met in order to qualify for the first phase of the application process. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the Marine Security Guard Screening Team as soon as possible.

• Must be a U.S. Citizen (by birth or naturalized) and be willing to renounce dual citizenship, if applicable

• No more than 1 NJP AND no records of civilian felony convictions within 1 year of applying to the MSG program

• Special or summary court martial convictions MAY require waivers and convictions by a general court martial will NOT be waived

• Demonstrate financial stability by voluntarily disclosing financial history, should have no less than $500 available funds after completing the Commanding Officer's financial worksheet

• Must be within height and weight standards at the time of reporting to MSG school AND score at least a 2nd Class PFT 60 days prior to MSG school report date

• Must not be registered for any Command directed stress/anger management course or undergoing marital counseling, to include separation or divorce

• Will not have any dental fixtures which are visible while smiling or speaking, must be dental class 1 within 3 months and no eye surgeries or corrections within the last 6 months prior to reporting to MSG school

• Tattoos must be within current Marine Corps policy and will also be screened for content by the Marine Security Guard Screening Team

• Must have a favorably adjudicated Secret Clearance; Marines with security clearances revoked or denied are not eligible for MSG duty

• 38 Months obligated service at the time the Marine reports to MSG school.

• High level of maturity, judgment, and sound moral character

• Marines are highly encouraged to complete all fiscal and calendar year annual training prior to reporting to MSG School

• No pending Warrant Officer or Commissioned Officer program applications

Watchstander Prerequisites

• LCpl - Sgt as well as mature/otherwise qualified PFCs upon CMC waiver

• JEPES Marks must be 2.0 or higher across each category 

• Minimum 90 GT score, waivers may be granted

• CANNOT be married

• Single Marine parents with sole custody are not eligible. Marines who are NOT the sole caretakers must provide a Family Care Plan issued by the state court system of the child's permanent residence

• 24 months Time on Station (TOS) Marines may submit after 6 months TOS

Detachment Commander Prerequisites

• SSgts - MGySgts; SSgts must have at least 12 months TIG prior to reporting to MSG school. MGySgts must have no more than 27 years TIS prior to reporting to MSG school. 1stSgts, 1stSgt selects and SgtMajs are NOT eligible

• Minimum 100 GT score, waivers may be granted

• Detachment Commanders can be married (Unaccompanied tours are not permitted); pending separations/divorce cases will be considered on a case-by-case basis

• Single Marine parents with sole custody are not eligible. Marines who are NOT the sole caretakers must provide a Family Care Plan issued by the state court system of the child's permanent residence.

• Dependents must be U.S. Citizens (Dependents can be naturalized or hold dual citizenship)

• The Marines youngest child must be a minimum of 9 months old at the time the Marine reports to MSG school

• Marines and family members of Marines that qualify for EFMP are not authorized; family members must be medically and dentally qualified for overseas assignment to remote areas upon applying to MSG duty

• Dual military spouses are not eligible

Flights

Marines should fly into either Dulles International Airport (IAD) or Reagan National Airport (DCA).  The MSG School House is approximately one hour from IAD and 45 minutes from DCA.

Taxi

Marines must arrange their own transportation to the MSG School from the airport.  All receipts must be kept and submitted for reimbursement in your travel claim.

• Dulles International Airport: A traditional taxi fare is approximately $110.00 from Dulles International Airport to MCB Quantico, VA.  Uber driver rates fluctuate based off of demand, but is approximately $60.00.

• Reagan National Airport:  A traditional taxi fare is approximately $100.00 from Reagan National Airport to MCB Quantico, VA.  Uber driver rates fluctuate based off of demand, but is approximately $50.00.

Directions

The address to MSG School will not provide directions in Google Maps.  Please follow the specific directions below.

• Power Point Directions.

• Depart the airports and travel south along Interstate 95 towards Fredericksburg, Virginia. 

• Take exit 148 and make a right (west) at the light to enter the Weapon Training Battalion side of MCB Quantico, VA.

• Travel approximately 4 miles northwest along MCB 1/MCB4 to the MSG School.

Check In

Marines will arrive on the date and time specified on their orders, but an official check-in process will be conducted on the official reporting date of the course.  That date is usually on Sunday before Week 1 and there will be multiple opportunities to formally check-in. 

Marines will check into MSG School Barracks, Building 27276 for both processes.

Unofficial Check In

Marines will arrive at the barracks and check in with the duty.  The duty will provide the Marine with specific instructions of what needs to be conducted and assign them their barracks rooms.  Marines may be in civilian attire during this check in, but must change over into their Service Alphas for the next formal check in time.  If the Marine arrives during an official check in time, they may still be in civilian attire, but must change over to attend the next available official check in.

Official Check In

Instructors will start the official check in process at 1400 on the official report date of the course.  They will conduct additional check ins every other hour past 1400.  These times are subject to change and will be announced by the barracks duty.  The official check in process will include a uniform inspection, photographing, and administration at the barracks.  Marines that arrive too late to attend the official check ins will conduct their official check in on Monday morning.

Can I be a married E-5 and below with dependents and come on the program?

The Marine Security Guard Program is unable to accept watchstander applications for E-5 and below with dependents. If you are a single E5 and below with dependents (parents or children) you can only come on the program if you have a Parental Agreement Plan that is notarized by a civilian court identifying alternate primary and secondary caregivers, with signatures from all parties, stating that the dependent will not accompany you on your MSG tour. Sample Parental Agreement Plans can be provided. Military court signed agreements will not be accepted. This must be completed before submitting your MSG application. It is important to note that the MSG will not be able to return home to care for the dependent if the need should arise.

Can my GT Score be waived?

The GT scores for Watchstanders (90) and Detachment Commanders (100) cannot be waived. Marines with scores lower than 90 or 100, respectively, are required to retake the ASVAB and attain the required GT score.

How do I start the application process?

The first step towards MSG School is through your unit’s Career Planner/Career Retention Specialist (CRS). Inform your CRS that you would like to start your package for MSG School. 

When can I put in a package?

You can submit your application at any time and you will receive orders for after your required time on station (TOS). Sergeants and below are required to have 18 months TOS, and SNCOs are required to have 24 months TOS before reporting to MSG School. However, your primary MOS monitor may waive the TOS requirement.

Can I come if I have a family member on EFMP?

SNCOs may not bring dependents (children or spouses) if they are enrolled in EFMP.

What is the tattoo regulation?

Having a tattoo, or several, does not immediately disqualify one for MSG duty. However, they must be within Marine Corps regulations, or if grandfathered in you must be eligible for retention. The MSG Screening Team will screen every tattoo for content. Some tattoos may not be deemed offensive in nature per Marine Corps regulations but could be interpreted as offensive in a foreign diplomatic setting. All tattoos will be approved on a case-by-case basis by the MSG School.

I am divorced, and I have joint custody of the kids, can I still come?

Yes, but there are stipulations. If you are a single E5 and below with dependents (parents or children) you can only come on the program if you have a Parental Agreement Plan that is notarized by a civilian court identifying alternate primary and secondary caregivers, with signatures from all parties, stating that the dependent will not accompany you on your MSG tour. Sample Parental Agreement Plans can be provided. Military court signed agreements will not be accepted. This must be completed before submitting your MSG application. This must be completed before submitting your MSG application. Please contact the MSG Screening Team for the format or with any questions or concerns.
SNCOs may have dependents, but dependents may not be enrolled in EFMP or be parents. If the SNCO has children out of wedlock, they must prepare a Parental Agreement Plan in the same manner as above.

My wife has a green card, can I still come on the program?

To put in a package, all spouses must be a U.S. Citizens prior to submitting a package. Additionally, all dependents must be U.S. Citizens prior to submitting a package.

Do SNCOs arrive earlier than the Watchstanders?

NCOs and SNCOs arrive at school at the same time as Watchstanders.

Can my family be seen by a doctor out in town or does it have to be the Medical Officer?

All dependents must be medically screened for overseas duty by a Military Medical Officer and the results of those screenings should be brought to School when the Marine initially checks into the schoolhouse.

Can I bring pets?

Detachment Commanders are allowed pets on a Post specific basis. Watchstanders are not allowed to bring pets with them. Marines have an opportunity, after being assigned to a Post, to ask questions and get answers prior to arranging with the Distribution Management Office (DMO). Pet restrictions are imposed by some countries, so preparing for alternate housing is encouraged. The Detachment Commander will have to pay for that pet to travel to Post.

Will my house come furnished?

Housing available to Watchstanders and Detachment Commanders include furniture. This furniture will not include pots and pans, tvs, stereos, plates, blankets, sheets, pillows, gaming systems and personal items (e.g. towels). Each Post is different and should be contacted prior to arrival. Detachment Commanders will receive a welcome aboard kit (pots, pans, silverware, glasses, plates, etc.), but this kit is only temporary and will be removed from the home once your HHG has arrived. The mattress sets that come with the post furniture are pretty stiff, so if you want a softer mattress you’ll need to bring your own. While you can ship most items to Post, it is important to remember that the housing available at Post may not have room for both provided furniture and every piece of your own personal inventory. Any items shipped to Post are the responsibility of the Marine who owns them, and if storage is required, it will be at the Marine's expense. Think in terms of what will make your new home feel like your own and remember that items like electrical appliances will either need to accommodate the unique electrical offerings of power in that country or use a transformer/adaptor of some sort. You are discouraged from taking items that cannot be replaced. Remember that your weight allowance will not be as much as a CONUS PCS.

Will my spouse be able to get a job?

Your spouse may be able to get a job while out at Post. He or she can meet with the HR officer at the specific Post and get more information. It is important to note that employment at the Post is not guaranteed and your spouse will not have a work visa in the host country to work outside of the Post.

My child is getting braces, can I still come on the program?

Dental treatment that requires continuous further care (i.e. braces) is disqualifying. If there are any mitigating factors such as the dependent’s braces will be removed prior to the Marine reporting to school (treatment completed) or the dependent has invisible braces that do not require dental visits, then they are encouraged to contact us for further clarification and recommendations from our medical section.

I got NJPed last weekend, can I still come on the program?

12 months must pass from when the NJP is adjudicated before you are eligible to reapply to the program and submit a new packet to the MSG screening team. If the NJP is alcohol related, then 24 months must pass.

Can I do an unaccompanied tour?

Unaccompanied tours are not allowed. Your family must be willing to deploy with you for three years.

When do I start the process for the TS Clearance?

Please refer to the welcome aboard email for guidance. This process can be started once you receive a notification that you are 90 days out from arriving at School

Where will my kids be going to school?

Generally, child dependents go to an international school. Most will have a US based curriculum, although some will not. Most Posts have many schools to choose from, however, this is entirely dependent on the Post and host country. Lists of these schools can be obtained by contacting the Community Liaison Office (CLO) at Post.