What is the reason that U.S. Marines specifically guard US Embassies and of course the White house?

Question

Why is it specifically marines that guard US Embassies around the World as well as Guarding the White House.

I recently went to the US embassy in London to apply fo a new passport and noticed US marines near the entrance just after you clear security.

Please if anyone knows i would love to find out the answer to this question.

Answer 1

To guard their personnel,   common sense really seen as though lots of folk want the blood of any random American.

Answer 2

good question.

from what i found from a quick google search it seems that it has to do with tradition. i guess since the beginning of the us the marines have always just provided security for the department of state. finally in 1946 the foreign service act basically enforced this relationship and said that the dos can ask the secretary of the navy to provide embassy security and in 1948 the marines were the official guards at embassies.

now there is an official battalion for embassy defense, the Marine Security Guard Battalion.

Answer 3

It's their job.

You might as well ask why the Airforce flys planes and not boats.

Why do garbage men collect garbage and drive garbage trucks? What is the specific reasoning behind that?

Answer 4

Because they are few and proud

Answer 5

I thought the Secret Service guarded the White House.

Answer 6

They wanted the best, to do the job right the first time. Years ago, in Iran, someone else thought they could do a better job, and told the Marines to stand down...the embassy was taken over and everyone held hostage for a very long time. The Marines themselves have never allowed this before or since.

Former Marine, stationed in Liberia, West Africa and Geneva, Switzerland. Semper Fi - DO OR DIE!