The image of the American Secret Service agent was largely shaped by movies. In fact, there is a lot of fake information. Some real facts are presented in our selection.
Many films were filmed about the legendary and ubiquitous secret service of America. On photos and video with the president you can see mysterious people in black suits who are ready at any time to cover up the failure of the leader of the state and other significant personalities. For you - a selection of interesting facts about the special services.
1. A very different task
Many will be surprised by the fact that the Secret Service was originally created as a department of the Ministry of Finance, and it happened in 1865. The main task of the workers was to combat counterfeiting, which spread after the Civil War.
2. A vital stock
Agents not only have medical skills, they are ready at any time to make the president an emergency blood transfusion, and - his own, because they have a small stock.
3. Work for the future
The Security Service in advance is considering a plan of action. For a couple of weeks before any event outside Washington, with the participation of the president, advance groups arrive. The main, emergency and emergency routes are being studied, hospitals are inspected and safety plans for each object that the guarantor will visit are being thought through.
4. Secret shelter
Information that in Mount Weser is a shelter, protected by all available means and methods, is true. One representative of the government is brought here during the events, where the first persons of other states gather. This is necessary to ensure that there is a person who will manage America in case the terrorists decide in a moment to destroy the entire top of the government at a time.
5. Not only bodyguards
It is a mistake to believe that the Secret Service is only concerned with protecting the country's top officials, even though they prevent up to 1,500 real assassinations. She also investigates credit and computer fraud, financial crimes, theft and so on.
6. Knowledge of the rules of first aid
The agent is not allowed to work if he has not mastered the skills of first aid in critical situations and the preservation of a person's life prior to delivery to the hospital. In addition, it is worth noting that the route of important persons is built in such a way that the hospital is in a ten-minute availability.
7. Stereotypes from movies
Thanks to Hollywood films, many have a stereotype that the agent must necessarily be in a black suit with earphone in the ear and in sunglasses. In fact, the last accessory is prohibited. This is explained by the fact that employees can miss something important due to accidental glare or poor lighting.
8. One hobby at all
The agents of the Security Service are loyal to the president, even when he is entertained. They have to share and hobby of the head of state, so on a run you can see how beside him escorts are running.
9. Total Conspiracy
The headquarters, where important things are decided and strategies are being built, is in Washington, and there are no signposts and identification marks on the building. Interestingly, near him there are not even any urns installed so that there is no way to hide the bomb. The building is located on the street with the shortest name "H" (Hight Street).
10. The Mysterious Army
Many think that the Secret Service of America includes only an elite of a hundred fighters. In fact, the state is quite broad and it has about 6,500 employees, and the government has a desire to expand it. It is worth noting that this number does not include representatives of personal protection.
11. Mortality statistics
According to open information, for the entire existence of the Security Service, only one agent died, who shielded President Harry Truman from the bullet. He did it voluntarily.
12. Strengthened versatile workouts
Secret Service agents always undergo different training sessions, which are mandatory before important events. The guard works out many scenarios of the situation to know how to act. Training sessions are held every 8 weeks.
13. Control of correspondence
The security service carefully tracks all letters with threats coming to the president, and this applies to both electronic correspondence and paper letters. Agents find even authors of comic messages to make sure that there can be no problems.
14. All the time under protection
The White House is under round-the-clock security and, in fact, the president should never remain alone, so in some parts of the building there are motion sensors. There are also in the famous Oval Office. When the president is left alone, the security service monitors the movements of the guarantor and potential threats. Perhaps this is due to the presence of motion sensors, mounted on the floor.
15. A false oath
Many Hollywood films show how agents of the Security Service take an oath to give their lives for the president, but in fact it's a hoax. Whatever one may say, your life is much more important, so this business is voluntary.
16. Career ladder
Beginners entering the Secret Service begin with a minimum and can advance in a career that includes three stages. After training, agents work for about three years in the office, and only then they are allowed to "field" work, that is, they go to the guard. This activity lasts about 4-7 years, and after that the agent either goes to increase or is returned to paper work in the office again.
17. Constant surveillance and shooting
Everything that happens near the president of America, constantly removed, and the cameras used a huge amount. This is necessary in order to understand, if necessary, all the details of different incidents. After the attempt on Kennedy was committed, a machine was added to the presidential cortege, responsible for the shooting.
18. Important code names
In the films about the American government, you can often hear that the presidents have code names, and this is not a Hollywood fiction. Select code names for the whole family and, in most cases, for one letter. For example, Barack Obama was called "Renegade", and his wife - "Renaissance."
19. No personal space
The President of America does not even have the right to go into the doctor's office, even with the most delicate problem. It's difficult, probably, to live with the shadow of the guard around the clock.
20. Whom do they guard?
The secret service protects not only the president, but his family, as well as the family of the previous head of state. All children of former presidents, who have not yet reached the age of 16, can count on the protection of special agents. Protection protects all the important guests of the country, for example, the Pope.
21. No one is insured against mistakes
Not always even a well-crafted strategy gives a 100% result, and agents have blunders. For example, there is evidence that once Barack Obama rode in the same elevator with a man who had a gun. The White House defenders did not finish the search, as a man with a knife, who could jump over the fence, entered his territory.
22. Hands should be kept ready
If you look at the photos of the Secret Service agents, you can see that they very rarely keep their hands in their pockets. Usually they keep them in the waist area, so that they can react at any time to the threat.