Defense secretary calls for review of security policies

Military personnel are generally prohibited from carrying firearms at recruitment centers and bases, but he reminded the chiefs that existing policy allows for armed personnel for security, law enforcement and counterintelligence duties.

He said the July 16 shooting in Chattanooga… “This incident and the ongoing threat underscore the need for DoD to review its force protection and security policies, and procedures, particularly for off-installation DoD facilities”. “So, this is recruiting stations, ROTC units and reserve centers”. Carter’s Senior Leadership Council includes the combatant commanders, the military service chiefs and other top Defense Department officials.

“Looking at arming personnel doesn’t mean that’s what the services will ultimately decide”, said Capt. Jeff Davis, a Pentagon spokesman, as quoted by The Associated Press. Abdulazeez, who was killed by police, is now categorized by the Pentagon as a homegrown violent extremist.

USA Today reports that Defense Secretary Ash Carter sent a memo on Tuesday to top military brass and civilians, which delineates a plan for protecting transgender troops from being discharged.

“The working group will start with the assumption that transgender persons can serve openly without adverse impact on military effectiveness and readiness unless and except where objective, practical impediments are identified, and shall present its recommendations to me within 180 days”, Carter wrote in his memo. The solutions they advance should be comprehensive and equivalent to the known threat posed to our service members. “Our service members have the right to defend themselves”.