Totally agree with your assessment. My daughter was TAD to security on the Lincoln for 18 months. She is qual’d in 9 mm and M16/14. She says this young female sailor’s trainers failed her. They are not taught to expect this sort of thing. They are not taught to not let potential threats get close to them. They are warned and trained to deal with drunk or unruly sailors with nightsticks, not possible terrorists or attacks. Female and male sailors get the same training. Sailors, even those permanently assigned to Security, are not trained in how to prevent being disarmed or in using deadly force. In addition, sailors who are TAD to security are not in the correct frame of mind, imo, and are not TRAINED to be in the correct frame of mind all security personnel should be in. TAD to security is a dangerous way to maintain a protection force, in my opinion.
Realistically there needs to be a security force rating. IIRC this was supposed to be in transition back in 1980's with sailors assuming some of the security duties and Master At Arms being made a permanent rate beginning at E-5 or so. Obviously something fell through.
So who should be well trained in arms including small arms? IMO those most exposed. A good portion of the Bosunmates for example should be trained for several reasons. They handle the boats and there has been cases where liberty launches have come under attack. All Weapons Dept should be trained as well. Each ship needs a sufficient onboard duty section trained to secure the ship. Obviously the smaller the ship the more cross training and qualifications will be needed and a stand alone dept not practical.
A security team can be done and I can give an example of it. Back up till 1980 on my ship at sea fires below the flight deck were fought by Hull Technicians. The were roughly 90% of the fire party. In 1980 a permanent onboard full time Fire Department was put in place while in the ship yards and made permanent afterward. They also took on maintenance of fire stations, repair locker, hatches as a secondary function. It was a pooled Department from all departments.
The concept addressed several issues. More persons were trained to fight fires and if a major fire occurred the ships Hull Techs would not perish in first response situation. I put in nine months there myself three months in the 78 yard period and six months during our 1980 one year overhaul. The second time I was a nozzle man and had gone through at least one major fire in my prior stint. It worked a lot better in port also because the duty sections had daily trained together and had sharpened skills. Before that if you were DC qualified you might be on in port FD one duty day and not on it the next if ever again. The same concept can apply for security but only if providing security is the primary function and proper training is given.
Thanks. Some people seem to think that a QD watch is manned and trained like gate guards or security forces at Camp Lejeune or Fort Lewis. This is not the case, the sailors receive minimal training, and at least some years back were only required to requal with weapons yearly.