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ON THE JOB: Guarding the world's most powerful man

Last updated on: April 3, 2012 09:01 IST

Apart from probing major frauds, the United States Secret Services has another major mission: to guard the world's most powerful man round the clock.

From a crisp tuxedo to a blue T-shirt, the attire of the special agents of the Secret Services changes as deemed appropriate to the surroundings. And these un-uniformed men and women would do anything, absolutely anything, to guard United States President Barack Obama, his family, and other top dignitaries.

These brave professionals often sport reflective sunglasses and communication earpieces, and wear loose-fitting jackets to conceal their weapons -- all the paraphernalia to avert the faintest whiff of carelessness while shielding the White House residents.

Rediff.com presents some photographs to show how attentively Obama is protected, day and night.

A Secret Service agent provides security for then Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama at a campaign rally in Philadelphia. Picture taken on October 11, 2008.

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ON THE JOB: Guarding the world's most powerful man

Last updated on: April 3, 2012 09:01 IST

Secret Service agents surround then Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama as he steps out of his vehicle to wave to the crowd in Roanoke, Virginia. Picture taken on October 17, 2008.

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ON THE JOB: Guarding the world's most powerful man

Last updated on: April 3, 2012 09:01 IST

Secret Service agents await the arrival of then Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama alongside his SUV at Raleigh-Durham airport in North Carolina. Picture taken on May 5, 2008.

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ON THE JOB: Guarding the world's most powerful man

Last updated on: April 3, 2012 09:01 IST

A Secret Service agent waits for US President Obama to board his bus after a visit to Maquoketa High School, Iowa.

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ON THE JOB: Guarding the world's most powerful man

Last updated on: April 3, 2012 09:01 IST

President Obama sprints up the steps of the Lincoln Memorial surrounded by Secret Service agents, to visit with tourists, in Washington.

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ON THE JOB: Guarding the world's most powerful man

Last updated on: April 3, 2012 09:01 IST

Then Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama speaking in the pouring rain as Secret Service agents are pictured on a nearby roof during a rally at Widener University in Chester, Pennsylvania.

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ON THE JOB: Guarding the world's most powerful man

Last updated on: April 3, 2012 09:01 IST

A Secret Service officer maintains visible watch during tenth anniversary ceremonies at the World Trade Center site in New York, September 11, 2011.

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ON THE JOB: Guarding the world's most powerful man

Last updated on: April 3, 2012 09:01 IST

A Secret Service Agent holds open the SUV door for President Obama upon his arrival at Hickam Air Base near Honolulu, Hawaii.

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ON THE JOB: Guarding the world's most powerful man

Last updated on: April 3, 2012 09:01 IST

Marine One, carrying President Obama, takes off from the South Lawn of the White House, guarded by a member of the Uniformed Division of the Secret Service.

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ON THE JOB: Guarding the world's most powerful man

Last updated on: April 3, 2012 09:01 IST

Secret Service agents guard a street where President Obama met with a family at their home in Las Vegas.

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ON THE JOB: Guarding the world's most powerful man

Last updated on: April 3, 2012 09:01 IST

Secret Service agents and Honolulu Police block North Kalaheo Avenue during President Obama's Christmas vacation in Kailua, Hawaii.

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ON THE JOB: Guarding the world's most powerful man

Last updated on: April 3, 2012 09:01 IST

President Obama among Secret Service Agents and members of the public as he arrives at Los Angeles International Airport.

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ON THE JOB: Guarding the world's most powerful man

Last updated on: April 3, 2012 09:01 IST

Secret Service agents and other security detail await the arrival of President Obama on the golf driving range at the Deerhurst Resort in Huntsville, Ontario, during a G8 Summit.

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ON THE JOB: Guarding the world's most powerful man

Last updated on: April 3, 2012 09:01 IST

A Secret Service vehicle on Pennsylvania Avenue outside the White House during heavy snow in Washington, DC.

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ON THE JOB: Guarding the world's most powerful man

Last updated on: April 3, 2012 09:01 IST

A member of the Secret Service supervises as an Air Force forklift puts in place a concrete barrier to block off part of Waikiki Beach before the annual APEC Summit in Honolulu, Hawaii. 

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ON THE JOB: Guarding the world's most powerful man

Last updated on: April 3, 2012 09:01 IST

A Secret Service agent stares out into the wooded area as he provides security for first lady Michelle Obama at Ma'o Organic Farms in Waianae, Hawaii.

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ON THE JOB: Guarding the world's most powerful man

Last updated on: April 3, 2012 09:01 IST

A protester against President Obama is escorted by Secret Service after shouting at him during an election campaign rally at the House of Blues in Los Angeles.

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ON THE JOB: Guarding the world's most powerful man

Last updated on: April 3, 2012 09:01 IST

Secret Service agents walk on the White House grounds under heavy snowfall in Washington, DC.

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ON THE JOB: Guarding the world's most powerful man

Last updated on: April 3, 2012 09:01 IST

President Obama walks with Secret Service agents on his way to greet steelworkers during a shift change in Youngstown, Ohio.

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ON THE JOB: Guarding the world's most powerful man

Last updated on: April 3, 2012 09:01 IST

Secret Service agents stand outside the site of a rally held by then Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama at night in Santa Fe, New Mexico, on February 1, 2008.

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ON THE JOB: Guarding the world's most powerful man

Last updated on: April 3, 2012 09:01 IST

A Secret Service agent provides security for then President-elect Barack Obama's visit to the Lincoln Memorial in Washington.

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ON THE JOB: Guarding the world's most powerful man

Last updated on: April 3, 2012 09:01 IST

A secret service agent removes the Union Jack from a limousine after President Obama and Britain's Prime Minister David Cameron departed aboard Marine One for Ohio from Washington, DC.

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ON THE JOB: Guarding the world's most powerful man

Last updated on: April 3, 2012 09:01 IST

President Obama walks to greet people while followed by Secret Service agents in front of Cinderella's Castle at Disney World's Magic Kingdom in Orlando.

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ON THE JOB: Guarding the world's most powerful man

Last updated on: April 3, 2012 09:01 IST

Secret Service providing security for President Obama in Pensacola, Florida.

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ON THE JOB: Guarding the world's most powerful man

Last updated on: April 3, 2012 09:01 IST

Secret Service agents provide security for then Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama as he boards an elevator at his hotel in Berlin, July 24, 2008.

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Last updated on: April 3, 2012 09:01 IST

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