Navy to put armed sailors at recruiting stations

The Navy is moving to place armed watch-standers at recruiting stations nationwide, a move that comes a year after shootings at a recruiting station and a reserve center in Chattanooga, Tennessee, claimed the lives of four Marines and a sailor. The decision is the result of a broad investigation of the security of Navy buildings outside major…

The Navy is moving to place armed watch-standers at recruiting stations nationwide, a move that comes a year after shootings at a recruiting station and a reserve center in Chattanooga, Tennessee, claimed the lives of four Marines and a sailor.

The decision is the result of a broad investigation of the security of Navy buildings outside major bases, such as reserve centers and recruiting stations that are often open to the public and, prior to the shooting, did not have armed guards.

via www.navytimes.com

It's a damn shame things have come to this, but it is fairly clear that something must be done.

And it would be nice if the Army would do the same.

The article doesn't get into the specifics of how such a policy will be implemented, but I can think of a few ways that would be fairly easy to do, and with minimal impact on recruiting duties, and while avoiding inflaming local busybodies.

Most Army Recruiting stations have multiple recruiters, and a Station Commander (usually a Staff Sergeant or Sergeant First Class) who spends most of his time in the station. A small safe or lockbox could easily be installed, and the Station Commander and one or two other recruiters qualified on the weapon and rules of engagement.

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Responses to “Navy to put armed sailors at recruiting stations”

  1. Esli

    As I waited 2.5 hours for HH6 to finish at Verizon I walked by the recruiters’ office doors in OH. One of them had a sign to the effect that, due to security concerns, their door was locked so if you needed to see them, just knock and wait. Not sure how that is an effective security measure other than bringing the first victim to the front door for handy pre-positioning…

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  2. SFC Dunlap 173d RVN

    Train as you fight now at recruiting offices….head plant in palm.

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