This article/blog points out that the rank required to approve each request is a Commander. A commander doesn't have time for low-level matters of approving and reapproving vetted requests to carry a firearm. This creates an entire sub-process for receiving requests, doing the vetting, assuring individual compliance, auditing the process for conformance to regulations, and so on.
Yeah, I can see this was for show and it really does nothing from a practical matter to allow firearm carry on base.
“The ridiculous thing is that Army Chief of Staff Gen. Mark Milley argued against this minor change “
The other “ridiculous thing” will be right after January 20th when “general” Mark Milley is removed as Army Chief of Staff!