Posted on 07/17/2015 6:18:23 AM PDT by US Navy Vet
Would you care to provide some evidence the rules were different before or during WWII?
Not saying you’re not right, but I do know that the custom of keeping the troops unarmed until just before combat goes way back.
Bush legacies:
End of Incandescent light bulbs
Banning R12 refrigerant
Storing Bullets for those that may need them
Invading countries with no exit strategy
No new taxes, yeah
Explosive growth of gov’t
Feel free to add, I’m sure there are more.
I served in 1969-1970 and we were unarmed when in garrison.
Rounds were issued, at ranges. It was that way at Ft. Ord, Ft. Benjamin Harrison, and at Wharton Barracks, Heilbronn Germany.
MPs had live ammo. In some cases guard duty meant live ammo, such as the two rounds issued while on guard duty of secret crypto equipment in Germany.
That was more than a quarter century ago. Things change, threats change.
The issue isn’t an antiquated policy. It’s current leadership’s refusal to deal with current reality.
Bookmark
Clinton perpetuated it out of self preservation. IIRC when he visited troops they were ordered to have all the ammo removed and stored.
I sure hope you didn’t think that I spoke with a PEACETIME MIND. I spoke about USNTC, Bainbridge, MD in 1954!!!!
Back then I did sentry duty as part of BOOT Camp only.
Today I’d be out there with whatever they gave me, fully loaded, with spare magazines and anything else I could carry.
To tell the truth, the ONLY time I was ever required to actually do sentry things was confronting an AWOL who sobered up and tried to sneak back onto the base.
Sorry, but I haven’t noted that at all. I am on base at least 2-3 times a week and there are always two fully armed airmen at the post plus a third in a secondary post at random times where the second set of street barriers are located. I also frequently note roving quick reaction security teams.
This was the case today when I entered the clinic area and when I entered through the flag gate. None of them seemed bored or disinterested and all were armed and alert.
Even if they were warned, I’m sure the instructions were to “shelter in place.”
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.