Do US ambassadors have bodyguards?

Question

And when Foreign Service Officers travel overseas to dangerous locations such as Iraq and are outside of the embassy, do they have security too?

Answer 1

Schaj is right.

It is a common misconception that US Marines protect Ambassadors and embassy staff. They are actually assigned to protect the Embassy. If an Ambassador or other high-ranking, high-profile FSO needs personal security, these employees are locally hired and are supervised by Diplomatic Security, not by the Marines.

Normal FSOs do not have security at all. We live among the people we are representatives to, ride the subway, drive in traffic, shop in the stores, eat in the cafes along with everybody else.

Iraq, of course, is different. We aren't allowed to leave the compound at all. In Afghanistan, we need a very good reason to venture outside the embassy compound walls.

Answer 2

Yes. Security for US ambassadors abroad is provided by both the Marines Corps Security Guard, who safeguard the embassies themselves, and the State Department Bureau of Diplomatic Security/Diplomatic Security Service, who protect the Ambassadors themselves (as well as, theoretically, all other American citizens abroad)

Andrew

Answer 3

Yes, Ambassadors have bodyguards.
I was in Lebanon, and I always saw Jeffrey Feltman, the current US ambassador to Lebanon suntanning on the same Public beach that I go to. (It's a nice clean beach with free entrance)
Everyone knew he's the US ambassador, but no one talked to him and asked for a visa or anything :) lol
He has Lebanese-looking bodyguards but they are kept a bit far not to disturb him, and one on the entrance of the beach to watch who's coming in and out....

The previous US ambassador to Lebanon (I don't remember his name) also had bodyguards, he came couple of times to lecture about diplomacy stuff at the university where I study, his bodyguards were looked Lebanese not American. I guess that ambassador bought a house and remained living in Lebanon because he fell in love in the country, this is what he was hinting in a TV interview on his last day in office in Lebanon.

Answer 4

Regular FSOs (not ambassadors) travel all over the world all by themselves, although I'm sure there are extra precautions in dangerous/combat areas. Ambassadors do not normally have bodyguards, although there are security details assigned to the embassies and consulates.

Answer 5

In general terms, the Marines who guard the embassy are the security for the ambassador and staff.

This may have changed in light of the increase in terror actions against American officials around the world.

Answer 6

What is your interest or concern into this matter of U.S. Foreign Officers security detail??

You better watch youself from now on and sleep with at least one eye open!!

Give the internet a rest now.

Answer 7

It is good to have a curious mind. Security is based on how high or low ranking you are. They probably think the low ranking are just common and easily replaceable? Higher ranks means better services all the way, therefore, it's better high up and really sucks low down.

Answer 8

Yes, security has been stepped up since 9-11.
You may not always see them but they are there.

Answer 9

Yes

Answer 10

Interesting question