personnel
25 secret service assistants
15 national security advisers
5 White House administrative prosecutors
15 police dog sniffing teams
2 representatives from other departments
The chef and four-person chef team are equipped with
two identical Boeing 747-2 and others.
When the bodyguards of the President of the United States have to go through layers of screening
Since the establishment of the Secret Service Bureau of the Ministry of Finance, the secret service organization for defending the President of the United States for 137 years, the presidential bodyguards have left an impression of loyalty, integrity and courage in the eyes of the American public. They are elusive, and all of them are as handsome and talented as Agent 7. So, who can enter the Secret Service and be a bodyguard for the President of the United States?
The president is the head of state and the commander-in-chief of the three armed forces in the United States. The security of the president has always been the focus of the national security work in the United States. The American authorities have extremely high requirements for the presidential bodyguards, and the recruitment conditions are particularly strict. Applicants for the Secret Service must be American citizens between the ages of 21 and 35; In addition to being healthy and physically fit, the applicant's family must have no history of genetic diseases such as mental illness; They must have extraordinary intelligence, a bachelor's degree and a bachelor's degree, and have taken courses in psychology, criminology and public security management. At present, half of the Secret Service's agents come from the army's junior officers, school officials or retired soldiers, and the other half are from the police department or university graduates.
The selection procedures for candidates by the Secret Service are also quite complicated. One person talks to the candidate first, which is actually a primary election. Then an interview is conducted by a group of four people, and the candidates have to answer about 4 questions raised by this group. This is mainly to examine whether the applicant has correct facial features, proper behavior, quick thinking, quick response, clear speech and organized speech. Those who pass the interview will also take a written test, mainly to examine their writing skills, computational reasoning skills, observation and memory. After that, we will have to accept physical examination and physical examination. For those who pass all these tests, the Secret Service will also use a lie detector to check them. If this test passes, the candidates will have to undergo a comprehensive investigation for six months, repeatedly verifying their conduct, beliefs, hobbies, personality, etc., and at the same time, they will also investigate and verify their family members, classmates, colleagues, bosses, teachers, friends and childhood partners. If no problems are found in the past six months and their performance is really good, they will be loyal to the United States.
The personnel entering the Secret Service will also receive 2 weeks of rigorous training, including physical fitness, underwater survival and scene control. They must practice a stunt that can climb mountains and go down the deep sea; Can drive a car in all kinds of complex terrain and special environment, and can jump up and down on the moving car; Be able to use all kinds of advanced weapons with ease; We should also learn fire prevention, anti-virus, eliminating all kinds of explosives, fighting and catching kung fu and "diplomatic etiquette"; Understanding "mass phenomenon" and "mob psychology" can "solve problems with wit and courage" Agents must also skillfully master the "leaving skills", that is, the skills to protect the president from moving smoothly in the crowd.
The US Secret Service has a bodyguard training center covering an area of about 5 acres, which is located in Beltesville, a remote village in Maryland. The center is surrounded by high barbed wire and there is a large forest inside. Agents who come here for training live a strictly militarized life. On the one hand, they have to undergo more than one year of examination, including polygraph and drug testing. On the other hand, they should master all kinds of security skills skillfully. For example, they have to learn to drive cars at high speed and make sharp turns on the narrowest road at the fastest speed. It is said that the cars of every outgoing president will be sent here for the use of students. They must learn the skills of skillfully using all kinds of weapons, especially the special weapons of secret agents-9mm semi-automatic pistol, machine guns and submachine guns. In a certain sense, this is the armory of American cutting-edge weapons. Agents should not only learn to use all kinds of new weapons, but also master the skills of designing special weapons according to their needs. In order to enable the agents to master the skills of defending the president in various emergencies, the training center uses modern teaching equipment to make teaching films of major murders of important people around the world, such as shooting, explosion, ambush, cold weapons, car accidents, etc., and experts repeatedly analyze to the students how to learn from these accidents. In particular, the teachers repeatedly showed the students the live documentary of Kennedy's assassination, which made the students unforgettable about the bloody scene of Kennedy's brains splashing, thus deeply realizing their hatred for criminals and their responsibilities. In addition, the Secret Service also makes full use of the three bodyguard training centers of the State Council Secret Service, so that students can learn new knowledge, new technology and the ability to cope with new challenges. Some private bodyguard schools in the United States are also places to train high-quality bodyguards for the Secret Service. For example, the bodyguards of former US President Ronald Reagan came from the private Richard Senior Bodyguard Training School.
After learning all the skills in the training center, agents may not be able to be presidential bodyguards. Among the nearly 3, agents, only a selected part can serve in the presidential special security team. Practical experience is very important for agents. They must have 7 to 9 years of field work experience before they can rotate around Washington. In order to understand the mentality of criminals, they go to the prison where murder suspects are held every year to contact prisoners and talk with them, so as to "know yourself and know yourself". The president's bodyguards must also practice their intense eyes and formidable faces in their work, which is almost as effective as having a helmet for them. The president's bodyguard must also form the habit of being wary of everyone, and have the moral character of keeping his mouth shut and political detachment, which is a conclusion drawn from the lesson of blood. When Kennedy was assassinated, there were many strong bodyguards around him, but the bodyguards got carried away by Kennedy's victory in the primary election, cheered with the masses and relaxed their vigilance for a while, giving the gangsters an opportunity. The bodyguards' mantra is: "If something happens to him (the president) while I'm on duty, it's over. His life is my life. "
In American history, secret agents often risked their lives to defend the president, and made great contributions to the security of the president of the United States. They left an impression on the American public that they were brave, outstanding and patriotic. Indeed, they fulfilled their solemn and proud oath with their wit, fearlessness, even blood and life: "Live up to the trust and trust".
The American public will never forget that among the 43 presidents of the United States, 11 people were assassinated, and 7 of them passed away from death by risking their lives by secret agents. For the president's personal bodyguards, the absolute security of the president is above everything else. The phrase "His life is my life" has not only left a deep imprint on their hearts, but also been reflected in their actions everywhere. There are several examples that reflect their fulfillment of their vows.
during Truman's presidency, when he was on vacation in Florida, he especially liked swimming in the sea. Every time he went into the sea, two bodyguards guarded him from a distance. The bodyguards near him pay attention to prevent him from drowning, while those far away stay on his outer side near the sea and concentrate on whether there are any uninvited guests in the water. Once, when Truman was swimming on the sea, the bodyguard who was far away from him suddenly found a fierce carnivorous fish swimming towards the president from the side, only a few yards away from the president. The bodyguard didn't dare to shout, for fear that it would attack the president after being disturbed. Without hesitation, the bodyguard swam between the president and the piranha, quietly telling the president to leave quickly, while quietly observing the movement of the fish in the water. Fortunately, the fish also watched him quietly. When the president quickly landed under the protection of another bodyguard, he swam slowly to the shore and quickly fled the sea. Afterwards, the bodyguard said: "I used to wonder if I could really keep my body between the president and the attacker when the crisis came." Before that, to be honest, I was not sure. Now, I am sure that I will do this, and I am happy and at ease. "
When the assassins Tao Risola and Correzo assassinated President Truman together, the bodyguards fought a gun battle with the killer desperately to protect the president from harm. Two bodyguards were seriously injured, and the bodyguards came to Lise Coffert and gave their lives. When Oswald shot President lyndon johnson, it was agent Rufus Youngblood who covered the president with his body. The American people will never forget that on March 3th, 1981, after President Reagan finished his speech to 4, members of the construction union at the Hilton Hotel in Washington, D.C., the fanatic John hinkley hid in the crowd of reporters outside the door and shot at President Reagan. Agent Jerry Parr covered President Reagan, and Dennis McCarthy immediately jumped at him, blocking the bullet fired by the murderer at the president and capturing the fanatic alive. These heroic images show the world that every agent of the presidential guard is the last defense and barrier to protect the president.
In addition to providing airtight personal protection for the head of state in times of crisis, bodyguards must also be careful of everything that may endanger the president's safety. For example, President Eisenhower suffered from heart disease, and once he was invited to visit a scenic spot during his visit to Afghanistan. Because of the high altitude in Afghanistan, he had to climb 24 steps to visit the scenic spot. As soon as Eisenhower reached the top of the mountain, he fainted. When everyone was at a loss and didn't know where to get an oxygen bottle, the bodyguard driving the president immediately handed him an oxygen bottle, which saved the president from danger. It turned out that the bodyguard quietly carried the heavy oxygen bottle up the mountain without being reminded according to the president's physical condition and local geographical conditions.
when accompanying the president out, the bodyguards should be quick-witted everywhere, lest the president stumble and fall by accident. Once, after watching a drama at Schubert Theatre in new york, President Ford went backstage as usual to make a courtesy greeting. It's okay for many people to walk back and forth in the background, but Ford stepped on a huge black cloth. Who knows that under the black cloth is a special stage equipment that is 7 feet deep-a pothole. Just at that moment, I saw Marty Calvin, a bodyguard, rushing up to grab the president's belt, desperately lifting it up and pulling the falling president up, thus avoiding a disaster. Marty Calvin, on the other hand, broke his suit and shirt because of too much force. Afterwards, he said that it is rare to have the opportunity to serve such a compassionate head of state, and it is not surprising to endure some sacrifices. "And I am not the only one who has this idea among agents."
The hardships of American presidential bodyguards
American presidential bodyguards can travel freely all over the country with the golden signboard of "President" and enjoy many privileges. In the eyes of the American public, they are imposing on all sides, but their dangers and hardships are only known to themselves.
Every bodyguard of the President of the United States knows very well that their profession is related to the life and death of the most powerful man in the world. If the President is assassinated, they have an unshirkable responsibility. Therefore, from the moment they became presidential bodyguards, the psychological pressure they suffered was almost unspeakable. With the constant updating of the defense weapons of presidential bodyguards, the weapons and means used by terrorists who want to murder the president of the United States are more varied. On one occasion, the murder weapon used by three men who planned to kill President Clinton turned out to be a cactus prick lighter that could shoot botulinum toxin and anthrax. In order to guard against the harm of various terrorists and these strange killing weapons to the president, the bodyguards are always straining every nerve.
While bearing unspeakable ideological pressure, the bodyguards are also in a state of extreme fatigue. As the tasks of bodyguards are constantly increasing, and the old people in the Secret Service are retiring, new people are changing their minds, and people are nervous everywhere. Especially after the "9.11" incident, agents often have to sacrifice their rest days and work overtime. Many people feel exhausted. Agents are worried that when they are defending the president's safety, excessive fatigue and depression may cause temporary negligence in their work, which will have incalculable consequences for the president or other protected objects. The secret service and relevant experts believe that these concerns are not unreasonable.
"Air Force One"
The most expensive "Air Force One" in the world has the American flag printed on its tail and the American Air Force logo and English abbreviation on its wing. From the outside, the fuselage is painted in silver, blue and white, and the tail wing is painted with a star-spangled banner. On the lower right of the front hatch, there is a presidential plane sign: a vulture (American national emblem) with an olive branch and 13 arrows in its claws, and the words "President of the United States of America" are written around it.
"Air Force One" has the most advanced computer, communication and medical equipment, which is just like the epitome of the White House and the Pentagon. The president of the United States can not only work in the plane, but also enjoy the convenience of living at home. Bedroom, bathroom, kitchen, dining room and so on, fully equipped.
The president has a rather private and spacious compartment. He and the first lady have a living room with a foldable sofa bed, wooden cabinets, pure leather chair covers, long-haired carpets and electric curtains. There is also a bathroom in the machine, which not only has complete shower facilities, but also has a big mirror, a washbasin, an electric razor table and a modern toilet. Next door to the living room is the president's office, which consists of a log table and a leather chair. The blue quartz clock is hung on the wall, including the continental United States, Washington, D.C. and the time of arrival.
the special plane also has a very modern medical center. In the room, there are three first-class seats, two sleeping berths, a washstand, a refrigerator for cold storage of blood and medicine, and a cupboard full of medical equipment; There is also a foldable operating table with highly sensitive lighting. All the equipment in the medical center is the latest cutting-edge equipment. In case of any emergency, it can immediately play a first-aid function, even more modern than the general hospital emergency room.
There is also a studio, which includes the latest video recording equipment, projection screen, map hanging, and any necessary facilities of other meeting rooms. On the gorgeous dining table, there is a thick wooden board embedded on the desktop, and some wires, recording equipment and a system that can be blocked at any time are hidden under it to ensure communication safety and clear telephone conversation.
The special plane includes two places with kitchen functions, both of which have microwave ovens and ovens. Of course, for the safety of the plane, these equipment are specially designed and will not cause danger. The plane is fully equipped, and everything the White House aides do on the ground can be done in the air. The most interesting thing is that the TV screen in the plane can receive programs from all over the world. Moreover, there is such a TV in every compartment. If you want to watch any program video, just pick up the phone next to the seat and inform the relevant personnel.