[Travis McGee]

In naval special warfare units in my day (the 80s) we all carried personal sidearms on and off ships, and in our ten foot long cargo containers. Backups to .44 mags and everything in between.

We kept them in our own spaces in our own lockers, not the ship's armory. We were assumed to be armed at all times, no questions asked, with the blessing of our ship captains, who understood we were the best "ship's self defense force" possible. We were ready for short fuse contingencies on a minute by minute basis; as soon as a helicopter could wind up, we could be on it, and armed.

[harpseal]

Regarding having personal sidearms in Naval Special warfare in my day which I suppose some would consider only a few years from days of flintlocks and cutlasses we were always equipped with personal weapons. Among these were Toakarevs, numerous revolvers, and various rifles. I know it has been a long time but about the only equipment we did not have available was the obsolescent stuff like the horned helmets dragon ships and battleaxes and no we did not swear allegiance to Odin either.

Of course my day was a whole lot less politically correct than it is now.

[sneakypete]

We were ready for short fuse contingencies on a minute by minute basis; as soon as a helicopter could wind up, we could be on it, and armed.

Yup,and that's the way it had to be. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------