MARINE CORPS BASE QUANTICO, Va. -- Ground was broken June 19, 2013, on the last phase of a three-phase development for the Marine Corps Embassy Security Group compound on the west-side of Marine Corps Base Quantico.
The $23 million project will involve the construction of a headquarters building, warehouse, primary gatehouse, secondary gatehouse, plaza and a fence surrounding the entire MCESG compound. Once completed, the compound will closely resemble an embassy anywhere in the world. Construction is scheduled to be complete in March 2015.
"It will have the same layout and blueprint as a standard embassy," said Col. Michael D. Robinson, commanding officer of MCESG.
The embassy-like design will increase the training value for not only the Marine security guards being trained there, but also the FBI, State Department and DEA personnel who will use it to orient themselves before going overseas as well, said Robinson.
Not only will the new facility give the Marines better, more realistic training, it is also being constructed with “Total Ownership Costs” in mind.
"Part of the the selection evaluated the construction proposals on energy saving, efficiency and how (the building's) systems play together," said Navy Capt. Alex Stites, Naval Faciliteis Engineering Command Washington operations officer.
This is the first building constructed with the 'Total Ownership Costs,' which focuses on the energy savings and building sustainability concept, he added.
Though the overall design, including size and look, is set, finishing touches are still be made, said Stites.
Phase One of the development was the construction of a barracks on site, Phase Two was the construction of the Marine Security Guard Training Center, also on site.
"This project has been in planning since 2004," said Frank Baker, executive director of MCESG and a former executive officer of the unit. "The current location is very old, we've outgrown it and maintenance on the building is uncontrollable."
MCESG currently conducts five classes a year which sustains an approximately 1,200 Marine force, Baker said. Each course is seven-week long for detachment commanders, who must be a staff noncommissioned officer, and six-week long for watch standers, who are sergeants and below.
"The entire mission of all Marine security guards is to protect people as well as classified material," he added.
Correspondent: rebekka.heite@usmc.mil