I went through USN gunnery and missle school at Great Lakes from 86-88. Also located on base was Nuclear Propulsion school...and Fire controlman school for the Aegis. All had full scale working models of the equipment being learned about.
I walked many a “Balls to Four”perimeter watch armed with a loaded 1911(Many infantry had already changed to the Beretta). One had to qualify for this at the range and had to take classes on use of deadly force. But, there was no mistake if I had encountered a strange person who did not heed my order to halt...I would of shot them dead.
I’m sure that personnel actually standing perimeter watches at any sensitive installation and military police are armed and trained in the use of arms.
But some here are talking about people carrying weapons on base who have civilian issued carry permits, and some even are saying all personnel should carry their weapons on base.
I was in the USNR and served at Little Creek and was often at the main base in Norfolk and never saw anyone armed but military police, and maybe gate guards. I ‘stood’ watches in a building onshore and I don’t think my command even had any weapons. I sure never saw nor heard about any.
The idea that there has been a time in recent memory where large numbers of military personnel walked around on base carrying a weapon and live ammo is nonsense. I agree there should be increased security, but it should come from trained personnel and any carry permits should be issued by the military, and civilian carry permits should not be honored on base.