Soldiers Magazine, by Lisa Gregory
THE Army chief of staff leaves his vehicle and safely enters a building somewhere in the world. Before this simple act can occur, agents from the Department of the Army’s Protective Services Unit must plan and coordinate the trip, conduct a threat assessment, tour the routes and the destination, and conduct motorcade operations to ensure the dignitary’s safety during his visit.
Protecting the Army’s senior officials became the mission of the Office of the Provost Marshal General in 1967, during the height of the Vietnam War. The “principals,” a term used by PSU agents to identify the people they protect, were the secretary and chief of staff of the Army. The protective service mission was assigned to the U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Command in 1971.
The mission expanded over the years, and today includes the protection of the secretary and deputy secretary of defense; the chairman and vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff; the secretary, chief of staff and vice chief of staff of the Army; and their foreign counterparts when they are on official U.S. visits.
[Read more…] about Executive protection – activities of the Department of the Army’s Protective Services Unit