I live in Texas where we have been warned of terrorists attacks. How concerned should I be? What am I looking for as suspicious?

2016-11-06T01:17:37-05:00

Response by SPC James Harsh made Nov 6 at 2016 1:28 AM

2016-11-06T01:28:34-05:00

concentrated groups of people

Response by PFC Jim Wheeler made Nov 6 at 2016 1:37 AM

2016-11-06T01:37:30-05:00

I wouldn't worry too much, honestly.

Even if there was a terrorist attack here, I doubt it would be Galveston.

Response by Capt Seid Waddell made Nov 6 at 2016 2:01 AM

2016-11-06T02:01:10-05:00

I am reminded of a pilot in Viet Nam that kept flying through artillery boxes when I tried to vector him around them. He told me not to worry because he flies under the "Big Sky Theory"; big sky, small airplane, even smaller artillery shell - what are the odds?

Texas is a big place. Terrorists are relatively pretty small.

Response by Cassie M. made Nov 6 at 2016 2:57 AM

2016-11-06T02:57:35-05:00

Thank you all for your opinions and advice.
Learning is to achieve.

Response by Cassie M. made Nov 6 at 2016 3:19 AM

2016-11-06T03:19:39-05:00

http://www.chron.com/news/houston-texas/article/FBI-issues-alert-on-terror-threat-to-oil-1991374.php4

W

FBI issues alert on terror threat to oil refineries

The FBI issued an alert Thursday to tighten security in the petrochemical industry because of uncorroborated information that al-Qaida may try to blow up pipelines and refineries in Texas to influence the November presidential election. Petrochemical officials said the threat may draw parallels to the terrorist attacks in Spain on March 11 when 190 people died from synchronized explosions on commuter trains during rush hour. The Texas Coastal...

Response by Cassie M. made Nov 6 at 2016 3:22 AM

2016-11-06T03:22:57-05:00

Why i asked. 2004 same exact issue before elections. Only they did not mention refineries This time.
http://www.chron.com/news/houston-texas/article/FBI-issues-alert-on-terror-threat-to-oil-1991374.php

FBI issues alert on terror threat to oil refineries

Response by Maj John Bell made Nov 6 at 2016 5:00 AM

2016-11-06T05:00:18-05:00

You will probably not pick up the indicators of an imminent attack. But if something on a subconscious level is telling you that it is unsafe, pay attention. Use the following Mnemonic

KOCCOA
_K-Key terrain - where would bad guys best position themselves to do the most harm?
_O-Observation - where can you best position yourself to see what is happening?
_C-Cover - where can you position yourself to not get hurt by the bad guys weapons?
_C-Concealment - If you can't get cover, where can you conceal yourself from the bad guys observation?
_O-Obstacles - Where can you position yourself so that an advancing bad guy has obstacles between you and him?
_A-Avenues of Approach and egress - Where will the terrain channelize the bad guys movement if he is moving toward you? Where is your way out?

Response by SGM Erik Marquez made Nov 6 at 2016 5:54 AM

2016-11-06T05:54:02-05:00

If prudent you might avoid large target rich crowds, places that would strike a political gole..
Look out for? well that's a tough one..it will not be van full of masked men id bet, but a lone guy with a vest, or a VBID and that's pretty hard to detect before it's too late. If you fail to accomplish what you had planned on doing on the targeted date, "they" win. Whether it is a real threat or not. Imagine the "WIN" they get from choking the process from across the world, having never stepped foot in the US

Response by SPC Kevin Ford made Nov 6 at 2016 7:25 AM

2016-11-06T07:25:32-05:00

You should be more concerned about the other drivers on the road, they are much more likely to kill you. I feel bad for law enforcement who are now likely fielding a lot of calls about suspicious individuals who's only crime is to look a little out on the norm. I wouldn't worry too much.

Response by SFC George Smith made Nov 6 at 2016 8:43 AM

2016-11-06T08:43:30-05:00

not that any thing will happen... avoid Heavily occupied areas and watch for any thing looking out of place... Packages and backpacks left unattended...

Response by SPC Erich Guenther made Nov 6 at 2016 11:16 AM

2016-11-06T11:16:18-05:00

Galveston, San Antonio, El Paso and Fort Worth I would rate as a low risk. Houston higher because of the Arabs that visit there due to the Oil Markets would make a target. Dallas I would probably place at the top of the list for Texas because of it's location near a major hub airport and the Demographics and past near misses. Remember that not all terrorists are suicide type, some want to blend in and escape fast. Galveston does not have the rapid exit that the larger Texas cities have. The other item going in Texas favor on preventing a terrorist attack are the Texas Rangers, no other state has them and I am sure they work closely with the FBI. Texas Rangers always get their man and that is a pretty big deterrence right there.

Response by SSG Trevor S. made Nov 6 at 2016 12:17 PM

2016-11-06T12:17:59-05:00

Cassie M. I hate to tell you this, but since you are presumably American ('Merica Heck Yeah!) you are a constant target. That doesn't mean you should build a bunker, stock up on automatic engagement systems, and live off your prepper supplies. I would really love to see some sort of robotic engagement system set up though, that would be cool to see!
What it does mean is you have to keep your eye out for things that are out of place. A great example is someone setting a back pack down and walking away. Another one is a car so loaded down it almost scrapes the tops of its tires on the wheel wells. There are so many little things to watch out for you might drive yourself batty trying to. So my suggestion is just to follow your gut, if it doesn't seem right just walk away.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 6 at 2016 1:07 PM

2016-11-06T13:07:45-05:00

Please be careful and realize that dems our selling us out. I am sure there are one or more great Republicans.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 6 at 2016 1:17 PM

2016-11-06T13:17:49-05:00

The Texas warning is about right wing extremist militias

Response by Col Dona Marie Iversen made Nov 6 at 2016 5:14 PM

2016-11-06T17:14:50-05:00

Not that we need to be dooms day preppers, besides, food, water, batteries, generators also need at least 5 days of medications which may include your favorite libation and method of birth control.

Be safe my fellow RP members , especially active LE & PD! See something say something!

Response by Lt Col Scott Shuttleworth made Nov 7 at 2016 9:03 AM

2016-11-07T09:03:09-05:00

The chances of it happening are slim but to ease your mind just a few tricks:
1.) You know your surroundings better than anyone else. If something looks out of the ordinary (like somebody leaving a package or backpack and walking off quickly) and if it looks like a concern, report it to the local police...that is why they are there. If an alert has been issued, everyone else will be looking for the same thing and a lot of eyes are a good thing. People doing bad things don't want everyone looking for them and thwarting their plans.
2.) Vary your routes...break daily habits. Take different routes to work.
3.) Always look for a way out in crowd. The biggest threat in America now to me aren't terrorists but active shooters. If you can't get out, look for a place to conceal.

Bottom line: Don't worry yourself sick or lose sleep over an alert. If it is bad and going to happen, you will know and be able to take cover relatively quick. They just send out alerts to make people more aware of their surroundings. Just be careful and enjoy life. You can't change what someone else is going to do by having one minutes worry. Just live your life like you always have.

Response by SPC(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 7 at 2016 9:54 AM

2016-11-07T09:54:38-05:00

You should always keep your head on a swivel, but don't let the media scare you into doing your daily activities. The odds of you being in a terrorist incident is so slim

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 7 at 2016 10:11 AM

2016-11-07T10:11:32-05:00

There should always be some concern. The amount of that is based on where you live in relation to big happy soft targets and how much concern you want to put in. As for what to look for? You know your area better....so look for the uncommon out of place things.

Response by MSgt Michael Smith made Nov 7 at 2016 11:01 AM

2016-11-07T11:01:31-05:00

I don't think Texas makes any difference than anyplace else. I live in the Washington DC metro and commute into the city every weekday. I work at a government facility with literally hundreds of foreign nationals from all over the world AND the job before this was at the Pentagon. My point is that if you start worrying about this sort of thing you will drive yourself crazy with anxiety. You can't predict these things, so best to be vigilant, but not to the point that you are worried.

Response by Cassie M. made Nov 8 at 2016 1:20 AM

2016-11-08T01:20:31-05:00

Thank you all for your opinions and views.

Response by SPC Daniel Thomas Smithson, B.Sc., M.A., M.A. made Jan 17 at 2017 9:05 PM

2017-01-17T21:05:06-05:00

I do not want to say that an archetype is racism, but Islam is. Watch out for the swarthy complexion with a negative nonverbal facial expression. Unfortunately, I remember conceal and carry permit was for only civilians not on military posts. Be ready to improvise, like Jack Chan; throw a chair or anything to confuse his aim and charge at son of a bitch. It's better to attack than just take a bullet. Your comrades at arms will be enboldened and supoort you in the combat. And remember, in the heat of such a battle, excessive force is a fiction, so once he's disarmed, do immediate justice, and kill him before some crazy person tries to take him into custody for a trial. You'll be on post or somewhere emergency responders can help if your wounded; just remember apply direct pressure with your fingertips. Your won't bleed to death. You'll be in an emergency room soon enough with dutures, stitches, closing your wound.