Defense secretary wants security policy review after Chattanooga attacks

The Navy Times cited several military officials with knowledge of the internal investigation on the shooting that left four Marines and one sailor dead and two others wounded, and reported Lt. Cmdr.

Whether that’s a clarification of existing authority or an expansion, the protocol certainly now is being emphasized that the U.S. military needs to be aware of “the continuing threat to DoD personnel in the U.S. homeland posed by Homegrown Violent Extremists”.

A new report says the U.S. military is authorizing service members who are at remote locations – such as a recruitment center – to be armed, even if they’re not in law enforcement.

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.

Mr. Carter said he wants security improved at those sites.

“Looking at arming personnel doesn’t mean that’s what the services will ultimately decide”, Davis said.

Military personnel are generally not allowed to carry guns on base.

Acknowledging that now serving transgender members of the military have been “hurt” by what he called “an outdated, confusing, inconsistent approach that’s contrary to our value of service and individual merit”, Carter said that the department would “create a working group to study over the next six months the policy and readiness implications of welcoming transgender persons to serve openly”.

Carter directed in a July 29 memo that all security recommendations be turned in by August 21. Secretary Carter should move these policy changes forward deliberately and without unnecessary delay.

In the days following the Chattanooga shooting, lawmakers from both parties pushed bills that would arm domestic service members. “I know Commanders and other leaders will remain committed to the protection of our dedicated men and women of the all-volunteer force who sacrifice on a daily basis to keep our Nation free”.