“:The problem is that they should not need to repel or neutralize an attack when not in a combat zone.”\
There is no such thing. ALL military personnel are considered war fighters at all times. They are targets at all times. The military must always be run as such. Of course it isn’t and that has invited attacks.
I can guarantee you that in one particular unit where we are armed at all times no one would think for a nanosecond about using violence against us. Unarmed, PC, pansy military offices are prime targets for frustrated cowards.
I am of the belief that all officers should be armed at all times with a sidearm and all enlisted the same if not issued a rifle where practical.
So a perp starts shooting up someplace on a base. All within hearing distance draw or shoulder their weapons and move toward the sound of the gun fire. Upon arriving at the scene they find another group of armed soldiers. Who do they shoot?
As I said before, I am not anti-gun. We are going to disagree about this issue.
BTW what does your screen name "CodeToad" refer to? computer coding or Morse code?