Answering the question of how far they are willing to go for their nation, the Marine Corps and themselves, the 2-17 Marine Corps Embassy Security Group (MCESG) class , totaling 156 newly trained Marine security guards participated in a time-honored tradition.  Before they could walk into all four corners of the globe, they had to run first.

The graduating class joined in-coming MCESG students, staff and other Marines for the traditional 3-mile motivational run before their families and friends could celebrate their graduation from MCESG school.

More than 300 runners took to the streets of MCB-4, pushing themselves through the chill of the winter air and rocky road that lay ahead.

Before they set out on the run the Marines in unison let out a battle cry.

Leading the pack was MCESG Commanding Officer Col. Rollin Brewster and Sgt. Maj. Juan Alvarado, who ran with them every step of the way.

According to Master Sgt. Felipe Lopez, Jr., the graduation run marks the completion of the latest MCESG class and welcomes the newest students to their new command.

“It helps build relationships within the new command that the newly graduated Marine Security Guards will carry on for the next three years,” Lopez said.

This moment would be one of the few they would be able to take with them, before many go off to “Every Clime and Place.”

There are 294 United States embassies and consulates around the world and MSGs currently serve at approximately 148 of them.

Many of these Marines may deploy to other countries without seeing another member from their class again.

However, according to the MCESG mission, which is to protect the United States embassies around the globe, along with all the people and highly classified materials within their confines, the job is not an easy assignment.

“If we’re invisible to the American public, it’s only because we never fail our mission,” according to MCESG written materials. “To our enemies, however, we are a constant reminder of what highly trained Marines with top secret clearances are capable of—impenetrable defense.”

It is their belief that as MSGs, their frontlines exist in all four corners of the world, therefore providing security, protection and prevention of threats toward the United States Diplomatic and National Security.

Nevertheless, this future could not come to fruition until every MSG crossed the brick wall encompassing the MCESG facility.

Not a single Marine’s feet stopped moving until very the last Marine crossed the finish line.

Finishing the run in less than 40 minutes, the Marines ran for their future, for their brothers and sisters in arms and their country.