Posted on Apr 28, 2017
What is the process (in the Army) for someone wanting to concealed carry on post?
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This question is in regards to DOD directive 5210.56 I also I'm trying to find out the process/paperwork involved to be granted permission to do so.
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 10
Zero chance to carry on post. The Order is intended to provide self protection for military personnel who are not on a post or base with military Police presence. Think Recruiters, Reserve drilling locations. If the post has MP's or civilian police then then you don't meet the criteria. There is a Federal Directive against concealed carry on base with very, very few exemptions. You need to read the entire order not just the "authorization" part. Semper Fi.
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SSG James Elmore "What is the process (in the Army) for someone wanting to concealed carry on post?"
Let me start with.... Sgt, are you emotionally attached to both testicles? because likely it will take the swap of one or both before your going to get a post commander to do what he "can" do under that reg.
And as pointed out, the DOD directive states in part
"1.2. POLICY.
a. When authorized, DoD personnel may be armed on and off DoD property when required
for the performance of official duties.
b. Arming DoD personnel other than law enforcement and security personnel will be
considered for locations where law enforcement or security personnel are not located on site or
in a reasonable proximity"
So on Fort Wainwright would not apply.
For those interested in facts not what they heard..http://www.dtic.mil/whs/directives/corres/pdf/521056_dodd_2016.pdf
Let me start with.... Sgt, are you emotionally attached to both testicles? because likely it will take the swap of one or both before your going to get a post commander to do what he "can" do under that reg.
And as pointed out, the DOD directive states in part
"1.2. POLICY.
a. When authorized, DoD personnel may be armed on and off DoD property when required
for the performance of official duties.
b. Arming DoD personnel other than law enforcement and security personnel will be
considered for locations where law enforcement or security personnel are not located on site or
in a reasonable proximity"
So on Fort Wainwright would not apply.
For those interested in facts not what they heard..http://www.dtic.mil/whs/directives/corres/pdf/521056_dodd_2016.pdf
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SSG James Elmore
I'm talking about "SECTION 4: POSSESSION OF PRIVATELY OWNED FIREARMS BY DOD PERSONNEL NOT RELATED TO THE PERFORMANCE OF OFFICIAL DUTIES."
Because I am not DES/MP/CID.
Because I am not DES/MP/CID.
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SSG James Elmore
And I agree with you completely, probably never going to happen! It is just something new and something that I support so I want to find out all that I can!
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So, my understanding locally is that at the VA facilities (Not an official military installation) with a CCW concealed carry is permitted. When I first started going to the VA I made a point to stop by the VA Police office here and present my CCW permit and ask if carry was allowed. I was given the green light. However, I would not even think about taking a firearm onto a military installation.
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CSM Charles Hayden Passed 7/29/2025
In CA, ERs have armed guards in the lobby.
With the current veterans dissatisfaction with the VA system, I cannot imagine a gun would be admitted/ allowed in any VA facility.
With the current veterans dissatisfaction with the VA system, I cannot imagine a gun would be admitted/ allowed in any VA facility.
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I think the best you're going to get for (quite) a while is legally transporting it on & off base to housi(unloaded & stowed in back) like at least
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Good luck with that. I don't think to many commanders are going to go down that road easily.
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SSG James Elmore
Well if it's possible I'm going to do whatever I have to do to make it happen! Already know it's probably going to be on the hardest things I do!
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It looks like the only way to carry a concealed firearm for personal protection not related to the performance of official duties falls to Title 18. There it says the only exceptions for knowingly possessing a firearm on a federal facility are 1) in the lawful performance of duties, 2) if authorized by law, and 3) for hunting or other lawful purposes. It looks like to me that carrying "just to carry" isn't an option. But it doesn't hurt to ask. I'd start with the MP's on your post and see where it goes. It might be possible but it looks like you'd really have to need a gun on you for some reason.
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A very good question and one I just finished writing a draft letter about. I will be sending this letter to all congress critters, Senators and a CC on each one to the White House and VP...
The latest Draft follows (I think this is the final draft but I have to read it again this weekend before I send it.) :::::::
My name is Everett Oliver, I am a retired Sergeant First Class from the US Army, I have been the Commander of a small American Legion Post for 5 years. I took a year off because of my wife’s health. I will return as Commander Officially on 1 July 2017.
I lost my wife to a combination of Type II Diabetes and liver failure on 2 November 2016. We had known for 8 years that she would eventually loose her battle. She was told in 2008 she may only have 2 years. She turned down a liver transplant at that time. She told the doctor “Give it to someone Younger”.
She wanted her ashes scattered on the rim of the Grand canyon. I made the trip and left her remains and those of her beloved Wiemeraner, Colonel with her, along with 5 or 6 inches of the beard she told me to grow… But all of this is immaterial, and is not the reason for this letter.
On the return trip from the Grand Canyon to NE Ohio I stopped at Ft Leonard Wood, where we had met. I was denied entrance to the post because I had my legal concealed weapon with me. I was informed by the Federal police on duty at the gate that I could have the local police in St Roberts, Mo. Secure my weapon while I visited the post.
So the Federal Police who are hired to secure a military post cannot secure my weapon? But they prefer that the local civilian police disarm me instead. This is fact, you simply cannot make this up…
I decided not to bother the local Police force and continued my trip.
I stopped next at Ft Knox, Ky. And again I played by the rules and stopped at the welcome center at the front gate. Where I was told I was welcome on post as soon as I had the Local Radcliff Police secure my weapon for me… So once again the Federal Police preferred that the local police disarm me.
Once again I declined and continued my journey. My next stop was my Daughters house not far from Wright Patterson AFB. I decided I really did need to go to the PX so I left my weapon at her house and spent a day walking through the AF Museum and shopping at the PX. As I left the PX I decided to stop at the Four Seasons store where I could purchase some fishing supplies, I knew my old tackle box hadn’t been opened in years and I really wanted to get out on the water again.
It was there that I saw I could purchase guns and ammo on the base…. And within the hour I had purchased a new 9mm and ammunition.
Now let us review. I was denied entry to 2 different military bases because I was legally carrying a weapon. There is a sign on the gate at Wright Paterson AFB stating that I could not bring my weapon onto base. Yet I can go to the 4 seasons store on base, purchase a weapon and ammo and sign a paper saying I will leave the base immediately and not bring the weapon back onto the base.
WE ARE NOT DOING THIS RIGHT…….
The latest Draft follows (I think this is the final draft but I have to read it again this weekend before I send it.) :::::::
My name is Everett Oliver, I am a retired Sergeant First Class from the US Army, I have been the Commander of a small American Legion Post for 5 years. I took a year off because of my wife’s health. I will return as Commander Officially on 1 July 2017.
I lost my wife to a combination of Type II Diabetes and liver failure on 2 November 2016. We had known for 8 years that she would eventually loose her battle. She was told in 2008 she may only have 2 years. She turned down a liver transplant at that time. She told the doctor “Give it to someone Younger”.
She wanted her ashes scattered on the rim of the Grand canyon. I made the trip and left her remains and those of her beloved Wiemeraner, Colonel with her, along with 5 or 6 inches of the beard she told me to grow… But all of this is immaterial, and is not the reason for this letter.
On the return trip from the Grand Canyon to NE Ohio I stopped at Ft Leonard Wood, where we had met. I was denied entrance to the post because I had my legal concealed weapon with me. I was informed by the Federal police on duty at the gate that I could have the local police in St Roberts, Mo. Secure my weapon while I visited the post.
So the Federal Police who are hired to secure a military post cannot secure my weapon? But they prefer that the local civilian police disarm me instead. This is fact, you simply cannot make this up…
I decided not to bother the local Police force and continued my trip.
I stopped next at Ft Knox, Ky. And again I played by the rules and stopped at the welcome center at the front gate. Where I was told I was welcome on post as soon as I had the Local Radcliff Police secure my weapon for me… So once again the Federal Police preferred that the local police disarm me.
Once again I declined and continued my journey. My next stop was my Daughters house not far from Wright Patterson AFB. I decided I really did need to go to the PX so I left my weapon at her house and spent a day walking through the AF Museum and shopping at the PX. As I left the PX I decided to stop at the Four Seasons store where I could purchase some fishing supplies, I knew my old tackle box hadn’t been opened in years and I really wanted to get out on the water again.
It was there that I saw I could purchase guns and ammo on the base…. And within the hour I had purchased a new 9mm and ammunition.
Now let us review. I was denied entry to 2 different military bases because I was legally carrying a weapon. There is a sign on the gate at Wright Paterson AFB stating that I could not bring my weapon onto base. Yet I can go to the 4 seasons store on base, purchase a weapon and ammo and sign a paper saying I will leave the base immediately and not bring the weapon back onto the base.
WE ARE NOT DOING THIS RIGHT…….
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SSG James Elmore My question is why do you feel the need to carry a concealed weapon on post? I am not arguing your right to bear arms, I am just curious.
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SSG James Elmore
One reason being the right to bear arms.
The second is we are trained to carry and employ weapons in foreign countries in accordance with specified rules of engagement, we are also taught to use a proper escalation of force in those situations.
We are taught these things to defend this country against all enemy's foreign and domistic... but we do not employ anything to help us do so when we are state side.
The second is we are trained to carry and employ weapons in foreign countries in accordance with specified rules of engagement, we are also taught to use a proper escalation of force in those situations.
We are taught these things to defend this country against all enemy's foreign and domistic... but we do not employ anything to help us do so when we are state side.
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SFC Steven Borders
Fair enough I was just curious as to why. Being we already have weapons on post, plus having MPs/Police. I myself don't see the need to carry a concealed weapon. But again that is my own opinion and I respect my fellow SM's and always try to understand why they feel that way. Thank you SSG James Elmore for your response.
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