Can the gate security search your personal belongings during a random POV inspection?

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 18 Jan 2019 22:50:01 -0500

So at the gate for a random vehicle inspection. Blue vests ransack the car like we did something and the only CLOSED backpack on the back begins to be searched. The driver of the vehicle asks woah hey can he search my personal belongings, aren’t their procedures.. the blue vest got defensive and was like I didn’t touch your back (clearly he did) and if you have a problem you can file a complaint and if you lie I will take you to civil court (as if it’s that serious) the guy was like okay... he then tried to defend himself and said the backpack was open and that he had the right to search it anyways (the back pack was closed zipped) he said okay... the blue vest said he was sending up a statement to idk who he said but my questions are.... 1.) can they in fact touch your personal belongings and not have to go around them to search the open compartments they tel you to open... 2.) who did he send the statement up to and why didn’t the driver get to write a statement if there was one and what happens next.. asking for a friend cuz he doesn’t have rallypoint.

Response by SGT James Hinch made Jan 18 at 2019 10:55 PM

SGT James Hinch — Fri, 18 Jan 2019 22:55:55 -0500

Everything is subject to search upon entering post, including you if they feel it necessary.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 18 at 2019 10:58 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 18 Jan 2019 22:58:27 -0500

As the sign at the front of every gate clearly states, anyone who enters through the checkpoint is subject to search. By voluntarily going through the gate, you have volunteered to be searched as needed.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 18 at 2019 11:09 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 18 Jan 2019 23:09:57 -0500

If you’re coming on to a military installation, they can search whatever they want. Your attempt to enter is your consent to be searched.

Response by LTC Jason Mackay made Jan 18 at 2019 11:55 PM

LTC Jason Mackay — Fri, 18 Jan 2019 23:55:07 -0500

You are subject to search as soon as you enter a military installation. Everything. Full stop. There are no "safe pockets".

Response by SMSgt Thor Merich made Jan 18 at 2019 11:56 PM

SMSgt Thor Merich — Fri, 18 Jan 2019 23:56:01 -0500

When you enter a military base, you voluntarily give up certain rights. Search and seizure is one of them. All military bases conduct random searches called RAM’s. Random Anti-terrorist Measures. These are approved by the base commander. The base commander is the closest thing to God that you will find on a military installation.

If you don’t want to be searched than don’t enter the base.

Response by SCPO Morris Ramsey made Jan 19 at 2019 12:07 AM

SCPO Morris Ramsey — Sat, 19 Jan 2019 00:07:18 -0500

Was anything in the bag? What is the big deal.

Response by Maj John Bell made Jan 19 at 2019 12:10 AM

Maj John Bell — Sat, 19 Jan 2019 00:10:54 -0500

At the gate, with my wife and two kids (daughter age 2 years and son age 2 months). We hit the number for random vehicle check. The dog has been used to conduct bomb searches during security ops, and is known to bite people who look at it. I have a history of problems with the dog and its handler. I don't like my Marines getting bit by this dog.

I have no problem with the vehicle search, but do not want my kids left in their car seats with that dog searching the vehicle. Federal Marshals consult with the handler and they want me and my wife out, but the kids have to stay. I tell them "No way in Hell." I tell the Marshals that they can remove my kids and search them all they want, but I will kill that dog before it gets near my kids. The handler thinks this is all very funny. Next thing you know, one Marshal has a split lip, the other a black eye, and I'm in cuffs. My wife now takes the defensive position... and is also cuffed. One of the Marshal's may be short one testicle.

The dog is run through the car and bites my daughter on the shoulder. She screamed when the dog stepped on her. Fortunately he mostly gets a hold of her blanket. But she is bleeding, and terrified. As an officer, I am the subject of a board of enquiry and given a letter of censure in my jacket and restricted to quarters (BOQ) for two weeks for resisting the search. But as a consolation, once the rabies quarantine is over, I get to put the dog down. Additionally the handler was given Captain's mast because he knew the kids were not supposed to be in the car when his dog went through the vehicle. He just did it because he didn't like me.

So yes, entry on the base grants permission to search whatever they want. No, you do not have a right to refuse. And if they use a dog, hope it bites you, or a small child. If it had not, I'd have been separated from service.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 19 at 2019 12:36 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 19 Jan 2019 00:36:12 -0500

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Khobar_Towers_bombing
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1983_Beirut_barracks_bombings

Khobar Towers bombing - Wikipedia

The Khobar Towers bombing was a terrorist attack on part of a housing complex in the city of Khobar, Saudi Arabia, located near the national oil company (Saudi Aramco) headquarters of Dhahran and nearby King Abdulaziz Air Base on June 25, 1996. At that time, Khobar Towers was being used as quarters for Coalition forces who were assigned to Operation Southern Watch, a no-fly zone operation in southern Iraq, as part of the Iraqi no-fly zones.

Response by TSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 19 at 2019 10:17 AM

TSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 19 Jan 2019 10:17:38 -0500

From my understanding, searching the person and vehicle of a military member coming onto the installation does not require consent. Searching the person and vehicle of a civilian does require consent, but if consent is refused so is access to the installation.

Response by SSgt GG-15 RET Jim Lint made Jan 19 at 2019 12:52 PM

SSgt GG-15 RET Jim Lint — Sat, 19 Jan 2019 12:52:56 -0500

Does your military base have the normal required sign that says entrance implies consent? Is he in the military, than he needs no sign, it is in the regulations. If in the military, were the MPs senior, then you have a lawful order situation. (MPs can give directions you are required to comply with regardless of rank.) We used to have a saying, "Please do not confuse your rank with my authority."

Response by MSG Danny Mathers made Jan 19 at 2019 1:46 PM

MSG Danny Mathers — Sat, 19 Jan 2019 13:46:35 -0500

I hitched a ride once at Fort Polk when my car broke down. The car I was riding in which I didn't even know the driver except he was a fellow Soldier. MPs and CID was searcing all cars at the main gate. They found three seeds in this guy's car which CID said two more and someone was going to jail. Broke me from hitching rides. I'd pay a cab from that day forward.

Response by SGT Dave Matteson made Jan 19 at 2019 7:45 PM

SGT Dave Matteson — Sat, 19 Jan 2019 19:45:26 -0500

Yes, there are procedures. The procedure is, if you enter a military installation you, your person, your friends, your car, their car, their bags, your bags, and anything else you present at the gate are subject to search and or seizure.

After 9/11 rules at the gates changed. They continued to evolve as time went on. When I worked the gates at Redstone Arsenal we could not search civilians. But as we continued to find loaded magazines, rifles, pistols and clips in cars (hunting season and hey we live in Alabama) the rules evolved more to the point that we were allowed to search personal property including briefcases and backpacks which at the beginning we were not allowed to, to protect ourselves.

The statement is more than likely a CYA statement that states he may or may not have opened or closed personal property and the subject of the inspection either complained or commented about the inspection. My unit and another unit who went through Force Protection at Fort Rucker trained most of the civilians at the gates who finally took over for us. Changes continue. Many of the procedures we perfected have since changed.

As many of the responses stated you and anyone with you is subject to search and seizure. I would make sure your friends are compliant when they are presented at the gates.

Good luck.

Response by SSgt GG-15 RET Jim Lint made Jan 19 at 2019 8:20 PM

SSgt GG-15 RET Jim Lint — Sat, 19 Jan 2019 20:20:31 -0500

Trunks are closed, my personal belongings are in the trunk. They sure do and can search trunks. Not sure why your friend thought they could not search a backpack on a military base? Wait until you go overseas...be prepared for more searches. Be thankful for those searches anywhere. It keeps you safe.

Response by MSgt Steven Holt, NRP, CCEMT-P made Jan 20 at 2019 3:11 PM

MSgt Steven Holt, NRP, CCEMT-P — Sun, 20 Jan 2019 15:11:06 -0500

So did said individual observe a sign similar to this one as they attempted to enter the installation gate? The answer is, Yes they can in fact inspect your vehicle and any personal belongings. No, a warrant is not required as your attempt to enter the base is legally considered consent for search. You have the right to refuse. They have the right to refuse entry if you do. Maybe the guard was being a jerk; maybe s/he was tired of dealing with whinny brats who think rules don't apply to them. I don't know the answer to that one but bottom line, ANYONE attempting to enter a restricted area (such as a military installation) is subject to search of their vehicle and belongings. I personally don't care if they do as I don't have anything I'm trying to hide.

Response by SGM Bill Frazer made Jan 21 at 2019 6:15 PM

SGM Bill Frazer — Mon, 21 Jan 2019 18:15:27 -0500

I strongly suggest your friend lose the attitude, or have someone who can READ, read the warning sign to him.

Response by MSgt Michael Smith made Jan 23 at 2019 9:37 AM

MSgt Michael Smith — Wed, 23 Jan 2019 09:37:25 -0500

Yup.

Response by MSgt Michael Smith made Jan 23 at 2019 9:39 AM

MSgt Michael Smith — Wed, 23 Jan 2019 09:39:41 -0500

Response by SFC Brian Gillum made Apr 18 at 2019 5:55 PM

SFC Brian Gillum — Thu, 18 Apr 2019 17:55:12 -0400

Yes!

See big ass sign as you enter post about this very potentiality.

Response by CW4 Craig Urban made Apr 18 at 2019 10:33 PM

CW4 Craig Urban — Thu, 18 Apr 2019 22:33:29 -0400

Yes

Response by CSM Richard StCyr made Apr 19 at 2019 2:20 PM

CSM Richard StCyr — Fri, 19 Apr 2019 14:20:48 -0400

The sign at the gates say restricted area, all persons and property subject to search, or words very close to that effect. The driver was lucky they didn't get drawn for the random cavity search.

Response by SSG Robert Perrotto made Apr 19 at 2019 4:51 PM

SSG Robert Perrotto — Fri, 19 Apr 2019 16:51:20 -0400

The minute you attempt to enter a military installation, you are consenting to having everything and anything searched. It is clear as day written at the entrance to the installation - the term "Containers" encompasses built in or carry/hand held containers - they can even search your pockets, electronic devices, and you personally, if they deem necessary. No probable cause needed.