"Man standing guard outside military recruiting office in Yukon"

2015-07-21T10:27:02-04:00

From: OKC Fox
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After last week's deadly shootings in Tennessee, a group is stepping up to protect our military.

The Oath Keepers kicked off "Operation Protect our Military" Monday in the metro and across the country. The Oath Keepers are a group of current and formerly serving military, police and first responders. The group's motto is "Not on our watch".

On Monday, many people driving by the Army/Navy Recruiting Office, 1217 Garth Brooks Blvd., in Yukon saw something different, a man standing guard.

The man told FOX 25 he wishes to be called "Every Marine". He served in the Marines and is a member of The Oath Keepers. Out of their own accord, The Oath Keepers have vowed to protect military recruiting offices all over the country.

"They do so much for us. They looked out for me whenever I was just a young Marine and it's time for me to pay it back," the man said.

The man says the attack in Tennessee made him angry and they had to do something.

"From what happened in Chattanooga for our military, our brothers and sisters, to not be armed and to not be able to protect themselves is foolish," the man said.

So "Every Marine" is standing guard, keeping an eye out. He says several people have brought him food and drinks.

"Basically had the wives of the servicemen here at this recruiting station come up and shake my hand, telling me how much they thank and appreciate me just being here," the man said.

He says The Oath Keepers will continue their mission until Congress issues a revision to the carry policy, so recruitment offices can protect themselves. But until then...

"We will stand in the gap. We will take the bullets for those men and women."

http://www.okcfox.com/story/29590727/man-standing-guard-outside-military-recruiting-office-in-Yukon

Response by Capt Seid Waddell made Jul 21 at 2015 10:28 AM

2015-07-21T10:28:46-04:00

It is a sorry situation when armed civilians must protect our unarmed soldiers. It is the wrong way around; the military is here to protect the civilians.

Response by TSgt David L. made Jul 21 at 2015 10:31 AM

2015-07-21T10:31:23-04:00

I'm not sure that I would be comfortable with just ANYONE standing guard outside of a recruiting station but if a Vet feels that he could be useful then I guess it's a good thing. Should there be a selection process though?

Response by SGT Ben Keen made Jul 21 at 2015 10:39 AM

2015-07-21T10:39:10-04:00

While I applaud the intentions of "Every Marine" I question is this really the right reaction or could these lead to something worse? Is there a "right reaction" to keep from what happened in Tennessee happening elsewhere in America? Sure, we can say arm the recruiters, let the military carry on and off duty but take a second and look inward, would you really want some service members walking around with a loaded weapon? Heck, there were a few we didn't want to give weapons to when we deployed let alone allowing them to walk around the mall or where ever with a weapon.

Response by Maj Chris Nelson made Jul 21 at 2015 10:52 AM

2015-07-21T10:52:36-04:00

Another reason to support arming the CONUS military. Allow Concealed carry within the state guidelines. Generate military guidelines that essentially mirror state guidelines. Make it optional for the troops....keep a roster if you must of those troops that have identified wanting to carry (not much different then the list of all firearms that are kept in base housing in the AF...not sure if other branches do it). Pretty sad when the military operating in a deployed location carries enough firepower to fight a war, then gets back home and has no option of self defense..... Cops are minutes away when seconds count.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 21 at 2015 10:53 AM

2015-07-21T10:53:47-04:00

As a CDR I have weapons and ammo in my arms rooms. Army Regulation 190–11 has provisions for armed guards. Current regulation governing weapons in federal facilities is aimed at personal weapons not issued weapons (M9, M4, M16A2 etc...) Current SOPs and unit polices can't take away from Army regulations, but we can add to and change our security postures when necessary. These Recruiting facilities do not have arms rooms and are located, typically, in commercial areas. Why not direct Reserve and Guard units to extend their reach and capabilities to help secure our Recruiting facilities? Stop taking or uniforms off and stand up to the threat.

Response by LT Garth Young (Ret) made Jul 21 at 2015 12:25 PM

2015-07-21T12:25:53-04:00

"Target". That's what comes to my mind when I see the picture of someone standing outside of a recruiting station or any military installation. Would an individual with a gun be a deterrent to a terrorist? Or would it be more of a deterrent if the terrorist knew that if he/she fired upon the unit, there would be return fire? I support and respect the fact that our installations and recruiter sites should be protected & armed & be prepared to fire back if fired upon. I respect what the Oath Keepers are doing, but I hope they remain safe.

Response by LCDR Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 21 at 2015 5:04 PM

2015-07-21T17:04:12-04:00

This is very interesting and I find I can't really disagree with it. They aren't pushing an agenda, they are there of their own volition, without proselytizing something. They are legitimately trying to help.

They have my respect in this regard.

Response by SGT Christopher Churilla made Jul 21 at 2015 5:20 PM

2015-07-21T17:20:03-04:00

I have mixed feelings about this. While I certainly appreciate the sentiment, how does it look that we have civilians protecting us? Shouldn't it be the other way around?

Response by Sgt David Hesser made Jul 21 at 2015 9:05 PM

2015-07-21T21:05:44-04:00

I am sure that the Oath keepers are just making a statement that we wont cower to terrorist threats or violence, 2nd it just goes to show you can take a man out of the Marines but you will never take the Marine out of the man, that's something non Marines will never understand.