Photo By Sgt. Micha Pierce | A U.S. Marine checks identification cards at Slocum gate at Marine Corps Air Station...... read more read more
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Gate sentries: Every installation has them, and every installation needs them.
The first line of security and safety for everyone on any base at any given time. Some might take for granted the service they provide. Some might even regard their duties as an inconvenience, especially when attempting to access an installation. Imagine what would happen without them. A gate sentry’s priority the security and safety of all assets — aircraft, facilities and special equipment — and personnel, which includes residents in housing, at Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Cherry Point, North Carolina.
“They are the first line of defense for any security matter on this installation,” said Chief Elijah Bouie, chief of police for MCAS Cherry Point. “So when you look at those entry control points, people think that the gate guards, the security personnel, the law enforcement personnel, people think they are just there to make their life miserable, but they’re not. They are our force protection.”
The sentries are here to serve and protect 24/7, to make sure that every individual that comes on the installation has been properly vetted and has the right credentials. As the first line of defense and the first to protect everything we have at MCAS Cherry Point, they are some of our most critical personnel.
Gate sentries ensure anyone attempting to gain access to the installation are not a threat, whether they have the proper credentials or not. The sentries are always looking out and scanning all individuals and their vehicles, looking for suspicious behaviors of those attempting to enter the installation. This includes conducting random inspections, to ensure all permits, licenses and cargo are good to go and pose no threats to the community; keeping keen eyes on all drivers, looking for suspicious activity and assessing sobriety; checking for any hazardous material, drugs or weapons vehicle operators may have; and even making sure passengers being brought on to the installation don’t pose a threat to assets and personnel.
“Last week I got reinvigorated,” said Bouie. “I went out there on the 27th of January and watched what they go through. You've got to think about it, in rain they are out there, in the sun they are out there, in the snow they are out there, enforcing force protection 24/7.”
No matter what, there is always a sentry at the gates, helping the flow of traffic to get as many individuals on the installation and to their destination as fast and safely as they are able. Their job is not always the most glamorous. Not many people enjoy standing in the baking sun or freezing temperatures for hours at a time. Installation security is not always convenient for those waiting outside the gate, but the gate sentries stand ready to ensure their safety even in the most miserable weather conditions.
“My heart goes out to them,” said Bouie. “I just appreciate the job that they do and I tell them that every day. And I try to spend as much time with them, to let them know that their job, it’s a very important role they play.”
According to the chief, the role of the sentries is important beyond measure and is a difficult job that is at times severely under appreciated. Every day that goes by without incident, is mostly thanks to them, as they are the first to prevent any possible threat or danger from coming through our gates.
“They are very very good sentries,” said Bouie. “The Marines and the police officers that we have out there, they are professionals, I think the world of them. It takes a special person to stand out there in the rain, the snow, the cold, and the hot.”
| Date Taken: | 02.12.2020 |
| Date Posted: | 02.13.2020 10:51 |
| Story ID: | 362786 |
| Location: | MCAS CHERRY POINT, NORTH CAROLINA, US |
| Web Views: | 239 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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