Would you expect the receptionist at the local FD to run into a fire? Would you expect the janitor of the local PD to run into a gun fight?
I'm guessing you have never been in the military. 90% of the military is admin/logistics/support. Only about 10% are trigger pullers who may be trained in unarmed combat against an armed and motivated opponent.
It's been 25+ years since I was on Ft. Hood, and that was only for a 2 week FTX, but the place in big, real BIG. There are places where if this incident took place it would result in an artillery attack being called in or maybe be met by a platoon of ground pounders just looking for some range time.
There are also plenty of locations where it would be the same as sitting in a Starbucks and reading a paper and it would be the local baby sitter who you are expecting to respond.
Sorry they didn't live up to your expectations. If you have ever run to the sound of the guns you may offer your opinion, if not just let it go.
>> If you have ever run to the sound of the guns you may offer your opinion, if not just let it go. <<
You make a very valid set of points, and I understand exactly.
In fact, my conclusion in light of your comments is that the 90% of our military who are non-combat should be trained to fight back in such an incident, that is, to rush the guy, hit him with anything they have — belts, books, shoes — and take him down. One or two will of course be killed. But not 12.
Furthermore, to respond specifically to your last question, Yes, I have “run to the sound of guns.” I worked as a civilian in Saigon in 1967-68. One day a group of us civilians were leaving the office at about 6 p.m. when the sound of shots rang out. We all rushed for cover.
But an American soldier was in a guard box at the building’s entrance. He left his position of relative safety and went out on the street, where he kneeled and raised his rifle to a combat position. His training and sense of duty led him to step directly into harm’s way, while the rest of us followed the normal human instinct to run away.
Fortunately, nothing further came of the incident. The sound we heard might even have been nothing more than the backfiring of an old 2CV. But the image of the brave Amercian soldier is burned in my mind, as clear today as it was 41 years, and I hope I never forget this unsung hero.