Quantico , Virginia ( CNN ) -- There are n't many people who would voluntarily be pepper-sprayed , but at Marine Corps Base Quantico in Virginia young Marines are doing just that . It 's part of their training to protect U.S. embassies around the world . After they get a face full of pepper spray , the Marines must immediately complete a course that includes various defensive obstacles . `` We need to have an understanding of what it does , '' 21-year-old Cpl . Haley Whisenant explained to CNN about 20 minutes after having been sprayed directly in her eyes . `` If we were to spray someone and we are contaminated with it as well , we need to know how to contain ourselves , '' she said . The embassy guard training also includes one-on-one defensive tactics and weapons familiarization . CNN got exclusive access inside the Marine Security Guard training program at Quantico , where Marines are training as the service tries to almost double the number of its members posted at embassies and consulates worldwide . The 2013 Defense Authorization Act , which President Barack Obama signed in January , approves the addition of 1,000 Marines to the current force of 1,200 . Plans to increase the size of the force were under way at the time of the September 11 , 2012 , attack on the U.S. diplomatic compound in Benghazi , Libya , resulting in the death of Ambassador Chris Stevens and three other Americans . Marine security guards were not assigned to the post in Benghazi when it was attacked , and it is unclear whether Marine guards could have helped or even prevented the attack . Marine security guards are currently posted at embassies and consulates in 137 countries , with a total of 152 compounds being protected . The Corps works directly with the State Department to determine locations Marines will guard . State Department officials recently announced Marine Corps guard protection for approximately 50 additional embassies . `` We also will create a quick-response unit that will be able to augment embassy security in case there are indications ... in a particular country ... and that ambassador wants reinforcement with more Marines , '' Col. Michael Robinson , commanding officer of the Marine Corps Embassy Security Group , told CNN 's Barbara Starr . The Security Augmentation Unit will consist of approximately 100 guards that can be dispatched on a moment 's notice . They will be on a `` quick tether , '' according to Robinson . `` So instead of requesting through the normal military channels ... they would come directly to us , and we would be able to provide this security augmentation unit to help reinforce that particular embassy or consulate , '' he said . Marine security guards do not stand guard outside of their assigned embassy . Instead , local guards provided from the host country are designated to protect the e ( s ) . `` We 're responsible for mainly internal security within a compound , '' Robinson said . Although most of these enlisted trainees are young -- typically 20 or 21 years old -- security guard is not an entry-level position . It is considered a `` special duty '' assignment , meaning applicants must first work in their trained specialty -- like infantry or mechanic work -- before becoming a security guard . He or she must be single . Additionally , Marine security guidelines state that guards must have maturity , judgment , moral character and financial stability . An applicant with a lot of debt will not be accepted into the program . In addition , the Marine must have top secret security clearance and submit to a polygraph . Once they graduate , these Marines must do three years of embassy security duty . On a recent sunny spring afternoon , Robinson watched over a group of Marines in training . `` How you doing ? Not too bad , right ? Did n't kill you , right ? ! '' he asked a corporal who 'd just been pepper-sprayed moments earlier . `` No sir , still alive , sir , '' the young Marine responded . `` You ready to go out to post ? Where do you want to go -- which post ? '' Robinson asked . `` It does n't matter sir , as long as I get to serve . '' he replied . CNN 's Barbara Starr contributed to this report .
Defense Authorization Act includes expansion of embassy security forces . The number of Marines guarding U.S. embassies will nearly double . Score: 6 Trainees undergo rigorous training and must attain high security clearance .