Every day shouts and rifle shots ring out across the small Naval Security Annex base in Chesapeake,Va. Once a secretive government radio receiving and transmission base at the height of the Cold War, the base now trains companies of Fleet Antiterrorism Security Teams (FAST) who are tasked with reinforcing American diplomatic posts across the world. In the wake of recent attacks in Libya and the Middle East, FAST Marines have deployed to Tripoli and Yemen in a bid to pre-empt and discourage attacks on American interests like the September 11, 2012 attacks on the American consulate in Benghazi, Libya. For these young men who volunteer to train and deploy as FAST Marines, one thing awaits them: Life in the FAST lane.

Concertina wire deployed by U.S. Marines from Basic Security Guard Class 18 is seen as they conduct site security operations and embassy protection training at Munroe Village, an urban training facility, at the Naval Support Activity Northwest Annex in Chesapeake, Va. on Tuesday, September 25, 2012. Luke Sharrett for The New York Times.

FAST (Fleet Antiterrorism Security Team) Marines from Alpha Company 1st Platoon stack up before breaching a door and practicing close quarters combat in a shoot house at the Naval Support Activity Northwest Annex in Chesapeake, Va. on Tuesday, September 25, 2012. Luke Sharrett for The New York Times.

FAST (Fleet Antiterrorism Security Team) Marines from Alpha Company 1st Platoon clear rooms and hallways while practicing close quarters combat in a shoot house at the Naval Support Activity Northwest Annex in Chesapeake, Va. on Tuesday, September 25, 2012. Luke Sharrett for The New York Times.

A paper target is seen as FAST (Fleet Antiterrorism Security Team) Marines from Alpha Company 1st Platoon clear rooms and hallways while practicing close quarters combat in a shoot house at the Naval Support Activity Northwest Annex in Chesapeake, Va. on Tuesday, September 25, 2012. Luke Sharrett for The New York Times.

U.S. Marines from Basic Security Guard Class 18 conduct site security operations and embassy protection training at Munroe Village, an urban training facility, at the Naval Support Activity Northwest Annex in Chesapeake, Va. on Tuesday, September 25, 2012. Luke Sharrett for The New York Times.

U.S. Marines from Basic Security Guard Class 18 conduct site security operations and embassy protection training at Munroe Village, an urban training facility, at the Naval Support Activity Northwest Annex in Chesapeake, Va. on Tuesday, September 25, 2012. Luke Sharrett for The New York Times.

Dressed in civilian clothes, U.S. Marines yell anti-American slogans and throw rubber rocks at Marines from Basic Security Guard Class 18 during security operations and embassy protection training at Munroe Village, an urban training facility, at the Naval Support Activity Northwest Annex in Chesapeake, Va. on Tuesday, September 25, 2012. Luke Sharrett for The New York Times.

Dressed in riot gear, U.S. Marines from Basic Security Guard Class 18 combat an angry mob during security operations and embassy protection training at Munroe Village, an urban training facility, at the Naval Support Activity Northwest Annex in Chesapeake, Va. on Tuesday, September 25, 2012. Luke Sharrett for The New York Times.

U.S. Marines from Basic Security Guard Class 18 detain a fellow Marine in civilian clothes who was acting in an angry mob during security operations and embassy protection training at Munroe Village, an urban training facility, at the Naval Support Activity Northwest Annex in Chesapeake, Va. on Tuesday, September 25, 2012. Luke Sharrett for The New York Times.

FAST (Fleet Antiterrorism Security Team) Marines from Alpha Company 1st Platoon train for close quarters combat with shotguns on a firing range at the Naval Support Activity Northwest Annex in Chesapeake, Va. on Tuesday, September 25, 2012. Luke Sharrett for The New York Times.

Instructors in black T-shirts walk down the firing line as FAST (Fleet Antiterrorism Security Team) Marines from Alpha Company 1st Platoon train for close quarters combat with shotguns on a firing range at the Naval Support Activity Northwest Annex in Chesapeake, Va. on Tuesday, September 25, 2012. Luke Sharrett for The New York Times.

Shotguns and replacement doorknobs are seen as FAST (Fleet Antiterrorism Security Team) Marines from Bravo Company Sixth Platoon practice breaching techniques at the Naval Support Activity Northwest Annex in Chesapeake, Va. on Tuesday, September 25, 2012. Luke Sharrett for The New York Times.

A U.S. Marine from Basic Security Guard Class 18 walks past coils of Concertina wire while conducting site security operations and embassy protection training at Munroe Village, an urban training facility, at the Naval Support Activity Northwest Annex in Chesapeake, Va. on Tuesday, September 25, 2012. Luke Sharrett for The New York Times.

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**Photos copyright Luke Sharrett and The New York Times**