Navy to post armed guards at reserve centers

“The Navy has authorized arming personnel at off-installation Navy-led reserve centers as a matter of prudent and necessary action toward protecting our personnel,” said Navy spokesman Cmdr. William Marks.

He said the policy would apply to some 70 Navy Reserve centers, which are not on installations.

The Navy plans to use reservists to serve as security personnel at the facilities. “Personnel will be trained in accordance with Navy regulations to ensure high confidence and capability to execute appropriate force protection measures,” said Marks.

The Navy said there will be other force protections enhancements as well, but he said he couldn’t discuss “specific measures being considered.” He also couldn’t say how soon the Navy facilities would be guarded. “This authorization is effective immediately, but I can't confirm when actual watches will begin.” 

Last month Defense Secretary Ashton Carter ordered all the services to come up with an action plan to increase security, particularly at off-site facilities, including recruiting centers.

In the July 30 directive, he ordered the service secretaries and combatant commanders to work “within existing [Department of Defense] policy” to “augment security, including the option of additional armed personnel.”

Carter noted that existing Pentagon policy gives commanders at U.S. installations “the option of [employing] additional armed personnel ... based on the threat and the immediate need to protect [Department of Defense] assets and lives.”