Do you feel your base's security is locked down enough to prevent an on-base attack?

Cpl Shane Cunningham — Mon, 16 Nov 2015 13:11:00 -0500

Response by MSG Brad Sand made Nov 16 at 2015 1:20 PM

MSG Brad Sand — Mon, 16 Nov 2015 13:20:23 -0500

No...but then I am not on base.

Response by Col Joseph Lenertz made Nov 16 at 2015 1:23 PM

Col Joseph Lenertz — Mon, 16 Nov 2015 13:23:13 -0500

Good question. In a word, no. Bases operate effectively when thousands of people can enter and exit every day, 365/year. So they can't open every glove box and trunk and mirror under every car every day. So they can't prevent an attack. They do a good job, I think, of being a harder target than most places, and balancing the operational every day needs of getting beans to the chow hall and bullets to the armory with security requirements. Even better would be to allow all active duty with concealed carry training to open carry on base.

Response by 1stSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 16 at 2015 1:48 PM

1stSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 16 Nov 2015 13:48:34 -0500

I would say No. That is a tough bill to fill.

Response by Capt Richard I P. made Nov 16 at 2015 2:29 PM

Capt Richard I P. — Mon, 16 Nov 2015 14:29:32 -0500

It could be much better, perhaps if we were to hypothetically ....arm...the armed forces.....
https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/arm-the-armed-forces

Arm the Armed Forces! | RallyPoint

The outcome of the discussion "Concealed carry for CAC holders?" by [~222148:SGT Bernard Boyer III]. Below follows my skeleton letter to congress, based on the edits RP members have suggested to the 10 points. Anyone and everyone is welcome to edit and personalize the letter for their own use in writing to their congressional representatives. We sent a mass email on 3 January, the swearing in of the new congress, now it's a free for all. You...

Response by MSgt Curtis Ellis made Nov 16 at 2015 2:35 PM

MSgt Curtis Ellis — Mon, 16 Nov 2015 14:35:23 -0500

No. History has shown us that no base/installation is "secure" when you have to take into account insider threats...

Response by Sgt Spencer Sikder made Nov 16 at 2015 2:41 PM

Sgt Spencer Sikder — Mon, 16 Nov 2015 14:41:21 -0500

Not with the number of contractors working on base.

Response by SSgt Alex Robinson made Nov 16 at 2015 3:09 PM

SSgt Alex Robinson — Mon, 16 Nov 2015 15:09:41 -0500

Anyone who is highly motivated can still break into a base. There are many patterns security that can be observed and bypassed by someone who really has nefarious purposes and intent.

Response by Maj Chris Nelson made Nov 16 at 2015 3:09 PM

Maj Chris Nelson — Mon, 16 Nov 2015 15:09:50 -0500

Truly, the answer is NO. We have a base perimeter, some are better than others, some bases have enough ground to allow multiple hunters on base hunting privileges for deer ect....hard to secure all that. We have gate guards...some bases are military MP/SF/SP, other bases use rent a cop...they will deter some, but the true hard core, not so much. Currently, the only people on base that are armed are the military police force..... when every second counts, they are only a phone call and minutes away.... I feel (and have for quite some time), that military members should be allowed to carry concealed (by choice, not mandatory). This would have a greatly expanded armed response in the event of bad things happening. Is there risk? Yes. But overall, I think that the risk is small. Look at how many folks have been deployed and carry full time.....risk, yes. Issues? maybe once in awhile, but not as a whole.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 16 at 2015 3:17 PM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 16 Nov 2015 15:17:22 -0500

Hi, Corporal Cunningham.

No, and it’s not supposed to. AF Security Forces (a stellar team, career field, and mission, make no mistake) provide a vehicle to keep honest people honest. For the bad guys, they provide a way to filter and contain the threat, minimize damage, and protect the base populace and assets. But completely negating an on-base attack will be impossible. The advantage is the attackers, and base security is a reactive, response-oriented tool. Proactive threat deterrence will continue to fall to OSI, FBI, etc.

Response by MSgt James Mullis made Nov 16 at 2015 3:21 PM

MSgt James Mullis — Mon, 16 Nov 2015 15:21:28 -0500

No, You can never have enough security to prevent an attack by a lone wolf terrorist or nut job. The question is do we have enough resources on hand to put down an attack before it becomes a massacre? I really doubt it, because it would mean having armed members all over the base, which we don't have. The other question is do we have adequate intelligence and investigative resources to stop terrorist groups in the planning or early action stages? For this, I think we probably do.

Response by SrA Edward Vong made Nov 16 at 2015 3:22 PM

SrA Edward Vong — Mon, 16 Nov 2015 15:22:22 -0500

Though I'm no longer in, it is quite simple to sneak into Nellis, AFB. My supervisor and I have brought it up to the commander that the base isn't as secure, and they still have done nothing to correct the gaps.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 16 at 2015 6:07 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 16 Nov 2015 18:07:09 -0500

No there is an illusion of security but that's about it. So many un watched walls and it really wouldn't be hard to just go in through the front gate

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 16 at 2015 10:13 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 16 Nov 2015 22:13:46 -0500

I do get concerned about security during morning rush hour. The lines into the main gates are nearly backed onto the highway, and the guards hold up their hands mimicking holding an ID card as they quickly wave us through with a one second glance at our ID through the windshield.

I don't think it would take much effort for a bad guy to notice this pattern and slip in with a fake ID and uniform from one of the nearby surplus stores.