Posted on Jul 21, 2015
CPT Company Commander
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In a opposing view with the current Chief of Staff the general officer nominated to be the next Army chief of staff, GEN Mark Milley, Tuesday said the service should "seriously consider" arming recruiters "under certain conditions."

The current Army Chief of Staff Gen. Ray Odierno did clarify what he was trying to say. I don't think they are butting heads but this does strike me to ensure he is more mindful of the troops, or possibly more in tune with the current logic of the troops.

Do you think this upstages the current Chief of Staff. I don't believe he is trying to do that. But when you have one swing left in the game you better make it count. To me GEN Milley hit it out of the park.
Posted in these groups: D4e479a6 Chief of StaffDd389bad Gun Control
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SGT Ben Keen
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I think GEN Milley's approach of "under certain conditions" is a lot better than saying "not at all" or "yeah lets give everyone a gun". I think the military, as I been saying all day, needs to look around, go over the ideas given up as a possible solution and look at its short and long term effects that choose can have.
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SGM Steve Wettstein
SGM Steve Wettstein
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SGT Ben Keen - Amen Brother.
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MSG Brad Sand
MSG Brad Sand
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SGT Ben Keen

I hear everything you are saying but I have also found that people in general, and soldiers in particular, rise...or sink...to their expectations. Of course the real problem with this discussion is not even being addressed...weapon security.
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1LT William Clardy
1LT William Clardy
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1LT William Clardy
1LT William Clardy
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SSG Ryan R., I'm just saying that a decision to have all recruiters perform their duties under arms is one where there are pros and cons, and any final decisions will probably be better made on an individual basis.
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COL Mikel J. Burroughs
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CPT (Join to see) I have to agree with you. I don't think he is trying to arm wrestle the current Chief of Staff. At this level the GO's have to be willing to speak their minds, even if it means butting heads once in awhile and even getting relieved from their position (when they are right). You can't be afraid to stand up for what you believe. As long as the message is delivered professionally then you live and die by your word at this level and only history will judge. Most of all he will be able to look in the mirror and say: "I made the decision and stood by that decision!"
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1LT William Clardy
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I would hardly call common sense hitting it out of the park -- especially given that being armed may not make a significant difference:

https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/marine-in-chattanooga-shooting-might-have-been-armed-officials-say/2015/07/20/1787a027-bbc4-429b-a8cc-9730d73b96a4_story.html
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1LT William Clardy
1LT William Clardy
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We just don't know that right now, CPT (Join to see) -- and both of us are professionals enough to know that it might turn out either way, if we ever find out the answer.
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CPT Company Commander
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1LT William Clardy - I am sure we are going to find out soon. You know if that Marine did hit the shooter he will be a hero and they will push for arming them.
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1LT William Clardy
1LT William Clardy
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That would be *if* he hit the attacker, CPT (Join to see). We're talking Glock versus AK here. Unless the Marine was a descendant of Alvin York, I'm expecting the verifiable facts to be about as controversially inconclusive as the rejected MoH nomination where the guy's buddies swear he rolled onto a grenade to save them but the doctors said that he was so badly injured that he couldn't have even known the grenade was there.

I'd also bet that I'll be in a minority for thinking that simply returning fire does not make him a hero -- he was just a Marine doing his duty. Am I being too grinchy, GySgt Wayne A. Ekblad and Capt Richard I P.?
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1LT William Clardy
1LT William Clardy
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Especially in an emotionally charged discussion like this, I'm willing to be patient and try to not be misled by folks trying to shape the facts to fit their biases GySgt John Olson.
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