It hasn't happened yet but it will.
Whether its an Afghan recruit that is a sleeper walking up to his trainers and blowing himself up...which sadly has happened several times but is under reported...
Or having a 'refugee' board a helicopter to be transported from a flood zone and detonating himself once the plane is in the air...a big fear of mine during the operation to help Pakistan during the floods....
Or even the threat that boat borne explosive devices will be used against our ships in Bahrain...
Force Protection is a growth industry for the Marine Corps and one that we should be into in a huge way. Whether deploying as ships company or patrolling the waters around fleet ships in port, this is a mission that the Marine Corps should taking up from the Coast Guard right now.
Equipment is necessary and fortunately the Navy is already procuring just the type of boats the Marines need. The Metal Shark...
The issue isn't that the Coast Guard or the Navy aren't capable...its that they're designed more for a law enforcement type action...not to act as an anti-terrorist force.
When dealing with someone willing to die for their cause then its a war time situation on friendly or allied soil. Master-at-arms aren't what you want.
A Marine Rifle Man is what you need.
While we're preparing to add boat spaces to Marine Special Operations perhaps we should do the same with our FAST Companies and add a few more so that they can expand their mission.