Active Shooter Mitigation Discussion

2014-04-04T02:08:34-04:00

For discussion for my
fellow Military Members: Based on the 15 minutes (reported) that it took for
the Military Police to respond to the latest shooting at Fort Hood.

Should Brigade and Battalion Staff Duty Officers and Staff Duty NCOs be armed
while on duty to confront issues like this?

My Suggestion is to do
the following:

1. Arm BDE and BN SDO and SDNCOs with unit
provided M9s and Ammo.

2.
SDO/ SDNCO personnel will account for
the firearms and ammunition during shift change through established
accountability procedures. (DA Form 2062)

3.
SDO/ SDNCO
personnel will also wear a black Duty Brassard on his or her left shoulder
denoting duty position (SDO/ SDNCO) while on duty.

4.
Personnel determined by Mental Health Professionals as a threat to themselves
or others will not be allowed (as they shouldn’t be currently) to perform SDO/
SDNCO duties.

My
point in the discussion is that we already issue weapons and ammunition for AHA
guard, why not to the Staff Duty Officers and Staff Duty NCOs in an accountable
manner in order to confront threats within their unit footprint. I am not
talking a blanket issue of firearms and ammunition to every Soldier.

This
divisive issue has Firearms Control advocates calling for stricter screening to
identify military members with PTSD to prevent these personnel from firearms
purchuse. (Laughable because you could argue anyone deployed has some form of
PTSD. Top that off with the fact you can suffer PTSD as a civilian etc...) Others
are calling for the federal Government to respect State/ County Concealed Carry
Permits on post. While I have no issue personally with that (given the
background check and process to get a CCP) I do realize that is a bridge too
far as you could wonder the effect that would have with a combination of type A
personalities and some members that lack the maturity to follow common sense
firearms handling practices. However, with four shootings on Military
Installations since 2009, something must be done. In the shooting just prior to
this one, a Shore Patrolman lost his life, however his armed shipmate on the
ship was able to limit loss of life due to his proximity. I feel we should give
the same chance to our Soldiers.