[HappyGunner]

A while back I watched a show about the US Diplomat protection group. These are the people who protect our US Diplomats when they travel.

The program was about their training and how they conducted the business of keeping the diplomats protected and safe.

I was amazed at how much armament they carried and how well hiden it always was.

One thing I remember this person telling a reporter was the most important thing they always do is watch a persons hands. He said always keep an eye on peoples hands. This is where and attack starts.

 

[P95Carry]

I'd certainly expect training to be top notch.

So - what carry methods were most used? I'd suspect much sho rig useage in many cases. What were the favored sidearms?

I'd agree re watching hands - second to which, eyes!

 

[rstickle]

So - what carry methods were most used? I'd suspect much sho rig useage in many cases. What were the favored sidearms?

These folks ar State Department Security. They used to be classed as Foreign Service Officers (FSO) don't know if that has changed in the years since I got away from that kind of business.

Most carry their side arms the way most Feds do OWB on the strong side. I don't know what State uses these days, but the Secret Srevice uses the SIG 229 in 357 SIG.

 

[BCurry1]

http://www.state.gov/m/ds/

Here is link to their website.

 

[srfl]

I've met some agents from the Diplomatic Security Service...Glock shooter/competitor Julie Goleski's squeeze is an agent with them I understand as is a good buddy of mine who I went with me to FLETC.

That job is definitely for the younger folks since they travel all of the time and constantly do high-speed training when they aren't doing their protective details.

 

[fed_wif_a_sig]

DSS (or DS for short) are the Criminal Investigators of the State Department, tasked first with investigation of passport fraud and entry fraud. They also provide the protective detail (2nd largest in US) for the Sec State, all ambasadors and their equivelants who visit the US. The have a detail full time, but most agents work fraud full time and do protection part time (is like the USSS).

Overseas their called the RSO (Senior Agent at the embassy) and Assistant RSO's. Typically most details for ambasadors are lead by an RSO or ARSO and made up of contract operators, depending on the country threat level, either local nationals or former US Military operators (a good bud in on the Ambasadors detail in A'stan as a contractor).

They have all the toys for protection and run a real good shop. Their first few years are state side, then overseas as ARSOs. Their a good group of agents that know their stuff.

 

[glock21guy]

Happy

Do you remember the station that aired the show?

 

[Euclidean]

I'm surprised that Americans in foreign countries are even allowed to carry weapons of any sort.

 

[Scott]

I'm surprised that Americans in foreign countries are even allowed to carry weapons of any sort.

Typically they are allowed under treaties. We reciprocate and allow other country's security details to carry here. There are exceptions of course. However, we'll just say that there are ways around that.

-Scott-

 

[CombatEffective]

I believe A&E ran a show on the DSS.

A former fellow officer was just got on with them.

 

[fed_wif_a_sig]

I'm surprised that Americans in foreign countries are even allowed to carry weapons of any sort.

Actually Americans carry weapons in foreign countries routinely. Our military troops carry under the Status of Forces Agreements and that includes investigators for all branches (military and civilian) carring on and off duty, on and off military reservations, and military law enforcement as well when on duty.

Embassy personnel (Marine Guards, DSS, FBI Legal Folks, DEA, ect) carry routinely under thier diplomatic status.

Dignatary Protection folks protecting the senior members of our government carry when on missions in foreign countries. I have on my "I love me wall" a framed copy of my russian concealed carry permit that was issued on a protection mission over there.

Finally, protection specialist for high level Fortune 500 companies also carry in foreign countries that want to do business with the companies. One example is Bill Gates detail (I use to work with his current team leader), host countries know in advance of thier visits and alot issue permits to their teams.

Ok I ranted enough so now I'll hush and go back to my cage.

 

[Euclidean]

But I bet if I went to Mexico with a 9mm that would be illegal. Figures.

 

[Bud White]

But I bet if I went to Mexico with a 9mm that would be illegal. Figures.

Course it would your not a diplomat nor work for one or the goverment

 

[Euclidean]

I'm just roasting in the irony that if I'm understanding the conversation right, a Californian or a Massachusetts Resident can't carry a firearm for personal protection but under our own laws the rights of foreigners to be protected is guaranteed.

Also, an American is an American is an American. The lives of soldiers, police, government employees, etc. while valuable are no less valuable than mine. I take it as a personal insult from my own government that I can be fired on with a machinegun yet cannot own one, and I extend the same disdain to all governments who would restrict me in such a way while I was in their jurisdiction. Indeed this is why I despise the UN...

Fear any government that fears your gun. Luckily I don't think foreign countries are all that great and I'll stay here in the US of A at least until Hillary becomes queen.

 

[fed_wif_a_sig]

But I bet if I went to Mexico with a 9mm that would be illegal. Figures.

Without a doubt it would be illegal and you would definitally end up in a Mexican prison, and that goes for even agents of our government who dont take the time to get the proper paperwork done. You can go to jail in some countries, including Mexico, for one single round of ammo. I only know of one country that openly issued Americans weapons for concealed carry with no questions and that was the old South Africa.

 

[AgentX]

There's another special on DSS tonight, (Sunday, 5 March) on Discovery Times channel at 10 PM Eastern.

There were two other recent specials on DSS in the "Heroes Under Fire" series; one was on Port-aux-Prince (involving the Mobile Security Deployment team, the ninja-guy organization inside DSS), and the other was on Liberia.

There's also an older special from A&E called "In the Line of Fire" (or perhaps part of a series by that name) which covered protective details for Madeline Albright.

Last thing I know of is a DVD, "Badges Without Borders," which is part of the "Elite Special Forces" 3-DVD set. Pretty cheesy, IMHO, but has some decent info and interviews buried in there.

-AX