Posted on 07/22/2015 6:08:31 PM PDT by markomalley
The Army has warned its recruiters to treat the gun-toting civilians gathering at centers across the country in the wake of the Chattanooga, Tenn., shooting as a security threat.
Soldiers should avoid anyone standing outside the recruiting centers attempting to offer protection and report them to local law enforcement and the command if they feel threatened, according to a U.S. Army Recruiting Command policy letter issued Monday.
Armed citizens — some associated with activist groups and militias — were standing vigil outside recruiting centers in Wisconsin, Georgia, Tennessee, Idaho and elsewhere this week, saying they want to provide protection to servicemembers barred from carrying firearms on duty. Four Marines and a sailor were killed by Mohammad Youssef Abdulazeez, a 24-year-old Kuwait-born native of Tennessee, during an attack Thursday on a strip mall recruiting center and a Navy facility that is being investigated as an act of terrorism.
Abdulazeez fired into the front of the recruiting station but there were no casualties. The five servicemembers were killed during an attack on the Navy Operational Support Center. A Navy officer and a Marine reportedly fired at the gunman, although it is unclear why they were armed. It is against Defense Department policy for anyone other than military police or law enforcement to carry weapons on federal property.
“I’m sure the citizens mean well, but we cannot assume this in every case and we do not want to advocate this behavior,” according to the Army Command Operations Center-Security Division letter, which was authenticated by the service.
Recruiters were ordered not to interact or acknowledge the armed civilians, who have been greeted by a mix of concern, indifference and gratitude by the public.
“If questioned by these alleged concerned citizens, be polite, professional and terminate the conversation immediately and report the incident to local law enforcement …,” the command advised.
As the incidents crop up around the country, police could be asked to confront the civilians with guns on the Army’s behalf.
“Ensure your recruiters clearly articulate to local police the civilian may be armed and in possession of a conceal/carry permit,” it told the centers.
The command said recruiters should also immediately fill out an Army security report.
Kelli Bland, a spokeswoman for Army Recruiting Command, said the service has been increasing vigilance following the Chattanooga shooting and that local residents can help in other ways.
“Local communities can support our security by reporting suspicious activity, particularly around recruiting centers,” Bland wrote in an email to Stars and Stripes.
Concerned citizens began gathering at the centers shortly after the shooting in Tennessee, and governors in some states ordered recruiters to armories or to be armed for protection against potential terrorist attacks. Congress has also pushed for the Defense Department to lift its current policy.
The founder and president of Oath Keepers, a Constitution activist group based in Las Vegas, issued a national call Tuesday to guard centers, while members were already guarding centers in Tennessee, Arkansas and Oklahoma, president Stewart Rhodes told the Associated Press.
Rhodes told the news service it’s “absolutely insane” that recruiters aren’t allowed to be armed.
“They’re sitting ducks,” Rhodes said Tuesday. “They’d be better off if they were walking down the streets of Baghdad, because at least in Baghdad, they could move. Here, they’re stationary.”
In Lewiston, Idaho, three men with a group known as “3 percenters” — a national alliance with members who prepare “for any situation, man-made or natural” — were standing watch outside a recruiting office this week, the TNS wire service reported.
“They supported us, and now we’re here showing them that we support them,” said Matt Dillard, of Clarkston, Idaho, who was among the men.
Pentagon=Pentagram
Oddly enough, a similar discussion came up with the issue of concealed carry on campus. The idea was that students and faculty who cc’d could voluntarily join an emergency text messaging service, so that if there was a campus event, they could take up discreet concealed and covered positions near the entrance of their building, while everyone else remained in their classrooms.
Lot of bugs in the idea, but it did raise the concept of tactical building security against an unspecified threat.
That’s inspired - if they could work out the specifics of such a plan, committed people to carry it out, and a way to stop the inevitable blowback from the Left...
The weak point in the system is the notification alerts.
Just today there is a news story about a failure of a similar notification system.
http://wncn.com/2015/07/23/unc-emergency-notification-system-failed/
“....I also searched for “Army Command Operations Center-Security Division” - there is no such thing ....”
Thanks for checking on that; I did a search also and came up with nothing...
I wonder where that directive —did— come from?
Lots to search through here...I didn't find anything....but maybe the commander has an answer.
What I’m thinking (and this is an informed guess) is it came from NORTHCOM through USAREC.
NORTHCOM would naturally be involved, due to the terror security threat - they SHOULD have deemed the security situation warranted extra precautions, not just “shutting the blinds”.
No initiative, no thought of troops on the ground, because tolerance...
Old sarge,
daffynition’s post above yours has it, good timing!
Looks like somebody there needs freeping....
As to tolerance..... (deleted language)
Tolerance kills.
Actually, it’s a great idea.
Could be worked out by a simple text message to the CCW’ers cellphones. Simple three letter code sent, a pre-determined muster point, with instructions have already given, and you have instant security in place.
Hell, flash mobs use it. We should too.
Oh, I AGREE it’s a plan - provided it has a core group to organize it, and the resolve to see it go past setup.
Isn’t that a Militia you are talking about...
Closing the blinds on any establishment will result in fewer people stopping by to see a recruiter.
-——Retail Marketing 101
I just posted this on FB:
See, I don’t do it like these people are doing it. I go with the idea of what would be the most effective way to deter an attack effectively, and without incident.
First, no AR-15. It would take me longer to manipulate it into a fighting position as I have more pistol training than rifle training. Sure it’s more accurate, but the Chattanooga murderer pretty much did a, “Drive-By.” This means he used his car as cover against return fire. I use two .45 pistols. One suppressed, and one backup. The suppressed weapon will help because if someone starts firing into the target, their ears will be ringing. He won’t be able to hear my firing on him as I’d advance on his position from the side to try and stop the threat.
Second, remain in my vehicle. I park at an area where I can see the front entrance clearly, and in a position to see the surrounding parking lot area. Parking in a place where I can rapidly close the distance between myself and a threat. I also position myself to a place where if I had to fire, the backstop is safe. “Know your target, and what is beyond.”
Third, have the phone number to the office to be guarded AND 911 on my phone ready to dial at all times. The next attack might not be a shooting. It could be someone leaving a, “Suspicious Package,” or a car bomb or a firebomb. My firearms will be useless in those scenarios, but my phone might help with an evacuation if that were needed.
Last, remember that I’m doing it for THEM. Not for me. I have no problem with open carrying at all -I choose not to do that. But we all know of some people who like carrying in full battle dress and weaponry to make themselves feel, “Cool,” or to show off their gear. I’ll be sitting in my vehicle, one pistol covered by a book on the passenger seat, and one in it’s holster on my hip as I read Massad Ayoob’s latest book. I don’t need to make a spectacle of myself, and I have never had any desire to, “Play,” with my firearms. Loaded or empty. Ever.
If nothing happens? That’s wonderful! I get to go home after and see my Wife and Sons.
Flame me if you wish. But I owe those guys for making me into the man that I am twenty-two years ago when they recruited me.
GO NAVY!
Active Duty ping.
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