Ind., Fla., Texas move to protect Guard recruitment offices. Are they doing the right thing?

COL Mikel J. Burroughs — Sat, 18 Jul 2015 17:04:46 -0400

Ind., Fla., Texas move to protect Guard recruitment offices

Do we have some states making decisions on protecting our military?

http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2015/07/18/ind-fla-texas-move-protect-guard-recruitment-offices/30353239/

Ind., Fla., Texas move to protect Guard recruitment offices

The governors of Indiana, Florida, and Texas issued orders Saturday to protect National Guard recruitment centers.

Response by SGT Jeremiah B. made Jul 18 at 2015 5:06 PM

SGT Jeremiah B. — Sat, 18 Jul 2015 17:06:04 -0400

A heightened state of security would seem appropriate at the moment.

Response by LT Garth Young (Ret) made Jul 18 at 2015 5:09 PM

LT Garth Young (Ret) — Sat, 18 Jul 2015 17:09:09 -0400

Damned Right we need to be arming our military! If the war has come to America, which it has, we can't let our servicemen and women stand by and be fodder. There is no excuse for our troops bein caught unprepared!

Response by PO1 John Miller made Jul 18 at 2015 5:31 PM

PO1 John Miller — Sat, 18 Jul 2015 17:31:01 -0400

Thank the good Lord the National Guard answers to their state governor and that person has the authority to make decisions like this!

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 18 at 2015 5:38 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 18 Jul 2015 17:38:44 -0400

Hopefully this is the start of letting us protect ourselves. As a florida resident i am proud of Gov. scott's Decision to protect the guard. I hope that this trend will carry over to Reserve and active duty. We guard and reserve and stateside military in general are soft targets and the enemy knows it.

Response by LTC John Shaw made Jul 18 at 2015 5:48 PM

LTC John Shaw — Sat, 18 Jul 2015 17:48:57 -0400

COL Mikel J. Burroughs Yes, I like the Governors taking action to protect recruitment offices, but the best way is to arm a recruiter. No, I don't like the recruitment centers being moved. I would love to see major recruiting centers fitted with bulletproof glass where they are.
The administration and the Pentagon/Recruiting command will do nothing in the bet that this 'phase' will pass.

Response by SFC Rollie Hubbard made Jul 18 at 2015 6:16 PM

SFC Rollie Hubbard — Sat, 18 Jul 2015 18:16:58 -0400

The government is not doing it so the states must protect them.

Response by SFC Rollie Hubbard made Jul 18 at 2015 6:17 PM

SFC Rollie Hubbard — Sat, 18 Jul 2015 18:17:17 -0400

The government is not doing it so the states must protect them.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 18 at 2015 6:17 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 18 Jul 2015 18:17:30 -0400

It's difficult to protect against the lone wolf scenario, they are in the population with us. That's where we need to be. We need to get away from worrying about our own forces being a threat and start looking at where the threats really are. This is another reason our immigration policy needs to change. I'm specifically I'm referring to the born in America automatically grants U.S. citizenship. I see a threat coming from children born in America but raised with an anti U.S. doctrine in another country. Additionally these children can apply for their parents to receive citizenship as well as their bother's, sister's, spouses.....once they reach the age of 14. We are increasing our own vulnerability by not requiring that at least one parent be a U.S. citizen who can provide proof of physical residency inside the U.S. for a substantial about of time. OK I'll get off my soap box.

Response by CMSgt Mark Schubert made Jul 18 at 2015 7:01 PM

CMSgt Mark Schubert — Sat, 18 Jul 2015 19:01:40 -0400

COL Mikel J. Burroughs - Sir, of course they are - and we need to do more. We need to arm our ARMED Forces! I cannot believe that as a country, we can associate a freak who walks into a church and kills 9 people to a Confederate battle flag and slavery? but we think a Muslim who kills 5 Marines is a "lone gunman" and it's not Islamic terrorism. Really?

Response by Sgt Kelli Mays made Jul 18 at 2015 7:12 PM

Sgt Kelli Mays — Sat, 18 Jul 2015 19:12:56 -0400

Absolutely!

Response by SMSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 18 at 2015 7:25 PM

SMSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 18 Jul 2015 19:25:46 -0400

I agree with the actions of all 3 governers. I understand the added risk of arming recruiters in a civilian environment, but drastic times calls for drastic measures. Either pull all recruiters behind the fence or arm them so they can protect themselves. I understand it is against the law for active duty, but Congress needs to act quickly to ensure recruiters become hard targets or arm them so they at least have a fighting chance.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 18 at 2015 7:48 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 18 Jul 2015 19:48:07 -0400

Wow!! In under 72 hours. These leaders knew their duty and responsibility and took action, something congress has problems doing. Hoorah for these govenors.

Response by CMSgt John Momaney made Jul 18 at 2015 8:13 PM

CMSgt John Momaney — Sat, 18 Jul 2015 20:13:51 -0400

Military members who are subject to easy access by civilians need to be able to protect themselves. They encounter situations that require immediate action. There is no time to call 911 and wait. We have 5 trained Marines who would still be with us if they could have defended themselves. This alone should be a call to action and procedures be implemented to arm our military members where ever they are. We can not loose our military brothers and sisters because they had no way to protect themselves.

Response by SN Victoria Glover made Jul 19 at 2015 12:13 AM

SN Victoria Glover — Sun, 19 Jul 2015 00:13:51 -0400

If our federal gov't won't do it, the states should. Private citizens some not even vets are standing guard while the offices are open. We should never have had the ability to protect ourselves taken away in the military, period. The VIP's have protection, so why can't our regular soldiers? We should not have to worry about our men and women sitting there trying to volunteer to join being shot as well as the recruiters!

Response by COL Ted Mc made Jul 19 at 2015 2:51 AM

COL Ted Mc — Sun, 19 Jul 2015 02:51:20 -0400

COL Mikel J. Burroughs - Mikel; While the actions may be necessary, the"optics" suck.

"Terrorism" isn't about killing people, it is about making them afraid.

A "Bunker Mentality" makes it look like they have succeeded and enhances the "prestige" of all "terrorist" organizations - especially the one which took the action that makes it look like they have made people afraid.

Response by PO1 William "Chip" Nagel made Jul 19 at 2015 6:30 AM

PO1 William "Chip" Nagel — Sun, 19 Jul 2015 06:30:13 -0400

Well if nothing else. It is an Employment Program. Not sure how well thought out it is though.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 19 at 2015 4:28 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 19 Jul 2015 16:28:21 -0400

COL Mikel J. Burroughs, I would ask, how are they planning on protecting recruitment offices? After reading many responses, pro and con, to weapons in the workplace, it is more involved than answering Yes. If these states are in some planning, I hope it comes to fruition before there is another attack.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 20 at 2015 3:51 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 20 Jul 2015 15:51:41 -0400

I really love my state. I knew Abbott would do what is right in order to protect our military men and women. He, along with the other Governors, understand that the threat is not just over-seas anymore and that it has landed in our backyard, time and time and time again. Glad they've done it. Should've been done a long time ago. COL Mikel J. Burroughs