MOD Guard Service

The Ministry of Defence Guard Service (MGS) has guarded the defence estate since 1992 and provides security services at more than 135 sites across England, Scotland and Wales, including high-profile locations such as MOD Main Building in London and His Majesty’s Naval Bases in Portsmouth, Devonport and the Clyde.

The MGS was formed as a result of a security review of all British military bases following the bombing of the Royal Marines School of Music at Deal Barracks by the Provisional Irish Republican Army in 1989. Over the years, the MGS has evolved into a dynamic organisation that takes great pride in the services it delivers.

The MGS works closely with its security partners: Ministry of Defence Police (MDP), Security Services Group (SSG) and Military Provost Guard Services under Standing Joint Command (SJC) GUARDIAN and the wider MOD to protect the homeland and defend Defence.   

The MGS prides itself on delivering a high-quality customer-focused service and will continue its mission to protect Defence from threats including crime, terrorism, espionage and sabotage by providing the highest quality of security services through professionalism and excellence. Working to become a technical authority on security, its vision is to be recognised as an outstanding provider of security services.

It strives to ensure its standards are maintained through external accreditation, holding the National Security Inspectorate (NSI) Gold standard.

The MGS employs more than 2,700 operational and support staff as civil servants. They are managed by a Head Office team, dispersed strategically around the country according to requirements.

MGS officers are often the first point of contact with the MOD for employees, visitors and contractors. They pride themselves on their inclusive, customer-focused culture, working to the Civil Service Code of Conduct and MGS core values of honesty, integrity, professionalism and efficiency.

MGS offers a range of services to meet customer needs.