U.S. Marines ordered to disarm for Sec. of Defense.

[Nintendesert]

This is really a non-story other than the fact that it was a change from the status quo and people are looking to take shots at the President. So for everyone that thinks this is crazy etc. you need to know one major thing:

1. Marines on Camp Leatherneck have been disarmed before.

When I arrived in Afghanistan and moved to Camp Leatherneck the command (2 MEB) had issued a base order that made all E-5 and below Marines store their weapons in the armories. This was due to negligent discharges by Marines, though the negligent discharges were committed by people of higher rank than E-5...

I didn't like it and as soon as the 1 MEF command started taking over this order was rescinded. Rightfully so as you've seen the stories of Afghan troops and security personnel killing our troops on their bases. Camp Leatherneck has tons of ANSF troops running around too.

So, Marines on Camp Leatherneck being without their weapons isn't new. The problem here is appearances during an election year.

 

[monovillage]

Everyone overlook this phrase?

Not overlooked, by why the sudden change of status when Panetta visits?

 

[monovillage]

This is really a non-story other than the fact that it was a change from the status quo and people are looking to take shots at the President. So for everyone that thinks this is crazy etc. you need to know one major thing:

1. Marines on Camp Leatherneck have been disarmed before.

When I arrived in Afghanistan and moved to Camp Leatherneck the command (2 MEB) had issued a base order that made all E-5 and below Marines store their weapons in the armories. This was due to negligent discharges by Marines, though the negligent discharges were committed by people of higher rank than E-5...

I didn't like it and as soon as the 1 MEF command started taking over this order was rescinded. Rightfully so as you've seen the stories of Afghan troops and security personnel killing our troops on their bases. Camp Leatherneck has tons of ANSF troops running around too.

So, Marines on Camp Leatherneck being without their weapons isn't new. The problem here is appearances during an election year.

The best explanation given yet, along with the best comment about appearances.

 

[werepossum]

The article says the order was given by the military, not by civilian authorities within the administration. This is a case of the military not trusting its own, not the administration not trusting the military. Actually, a more likely scenario is that this was the brass covering their own ass after recent violent incidents. On the odd 1 in 100,000 chance that some mentally unstable marine shoots the SoD on the general's watch, it's his ass over the fire.

- wolf

If I had to guess, I'd say the order was given because Afghan tempers are inflamed from the massacre. Afghan soldiers are routinely disarmed for such meetings. Indeed, they have to be, because they are so infiltrated and have such divided loyalties that as a group they can't be trusted. I suspect we disarmed our own not because of any suspicions about the Marines, but because the Afghans can't complain if the disarmament applies to our own troops too.

 

[Jaskalas]

It was ordered by the base commander. Afghani soldiers are always disarmed when in barracks, and in such functions; their weapons remaining outside. The commander estimated that it would be a good move to show solidarity by having US soldiers unarmed, as well, nothing more. Maybe it was a good idea, maybe it wasn't.


slow news day, or what?

^ This is a fairly logical and reasonable view on the subject. Don't really need to take it further than that.

 

[EagleKeeper]

Not overlooked, by why the sudden change of status when Panetta visits?

Tensions presently are high between groups.

By having the Marines stand down their weapons; it showed that we are willing to be on an even footing with the Afghan soldiers. This way no one group has an advantage over the other.

 

[Hayabusa Rider]

Tensions presently are high between groups.

By having the Marines stand down their weapons; it showed that we are willing to be on an even footing with the Afghan soldiers. This way no one group has an advantage over the other.

Then we really need to GTF out of there. It wasn't pointed out to nearly the degree that the quran burnings were, but some of the killings after that episode were by afghan soldiers.

I'm to the point where I believe people should seriously consider choosing an alternative to military life and let the SOD fight the sodding wars.

 

[Throckmorton]

Americans keep wanting the right to bear arms because they don't trust the government and they somehow get surprised when the feeling is reciprocal.:hmm:

Marines ARE the government. We have the right to bear arms to defend against the military being used against us

 

[Linflas]

The best explanation given yet, along with the best comment about appearances.

Sounds about right. A local morning program I listen to here was talking about this and almost all callers identifying themselves as active duty military folks in saw it as a non story as well.