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Bring in the Military

Huge gaps exist in our ability to properly address catastrophic man-made and natural disasters. As a nation, however we do have the global resources to prepare, prevent, and/or mitigate most events. But, we must utilize all of our strategic resources to do so. This includes the vast resources of our Department of Defense (military). They have the command and communication structure, the training, the experience, and the logistical base to operate effectively and efficiently across national and global borders. DHS, the FBI, local law enforcement, and other civilian agencies play a critical role, but they can't compete with our military. Fact is, Posse Comitatus is now becoming obsolete and obstructive. Examples where unique military resources could have been effectively deployed include 911, Katrina, the BP oil spill, California wild land fires, violent drug cartel activity in Mexican border states, and God forbid in the event of a nuclear, chemical, or biological attack against a large American population center or infrastructure site.

Submitted by scott nelson 2 years ago

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  • scott nelson attached: Mexican-Border-Weapons.jpg

    The Mexican border zone is fast becoming more like a combat zone than a law enforcement zone. Violent crime, danger zones with signs advising folks to stay out, and large caches of weapons dominate the area. See attached picture provided by Texas public s

    2 years ago

Comments (4)

  1. Patrick Coyle

    Posse Comitatus rules do not interfere with the Military's ability to provide humanitarian and logistical support during civil emergencies. It only limits the Military's ability to undertake law enforcement activities. Since the National Guard under State control is not limited in this area there is no need to worry about the use of the Military in the law enforcement role.

    2 years ago
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  2. Phil Kiesling

    An all hazard approach would include any and all federal assets, including DOD resources. There are two sections of the U.S. Code which apply to this. They are Title 10, which apply to Federal Troops, and Title 32, which apply to each state's National Guard. In times of conflict, NG personnel may be activated under Title 10 (Federalized). As well, an individual State National Guard may imploy a Federal Troop to use in civil matters; i.e. disasters.

    2 years ago
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  3. scott nelson

    Unfortunately, a "silo" mind set prevails that blocks effective deployment of our well trained, highly motivated, superbly equipped military forces. Semantics are one thing; action is another. Again, victims don't care who and how they are saved although some bureaucrats seem to obsess over that very fact. While technically military resources can be drawn upon in certain narrowly defined circumstances, they are never fully domestically leveraged. Never. And as a result, folks suffer needlessly. Moreover, our law enforcement assets are being used overseas to fight terrorism, and conversely our military assets should be actively engaged domestically to do likewise. Really, we are all Americans fighting common causes for the common good. For example, in my mind that includes confronting the vicious, ever spreading Mexican border drug cartel operations with military special ops, utilizing military water tankers to fight deadly wild fires, and using military assets to blunt terrorists both domestically and abroad. As a side note, I'm a retired combat Marine officer, retired senior FBI executive, and now President of a global security risk management company. I also teach business and organizational security management at the college graduate level.

    2 years ago
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  4. scott nelson

    Border enforcement problems continue and the scale of violence and disruption is increasing. Military special ops, in coordination with local, state, and federal authorities are best suited to tactically deal with this dangerous phenomenon. In addition, the military , again along with local, state, and federal authorities, is best suited to respond to major natural disasters such as hurricanes (read Katrina), wild fires, and earthquakes. The role of the military should be expanded and we should stop unwarranted political correctness, timidity, and the negative mindset that prevents full and effective utilization of our outstanding national protective resources. After all, victims don't care who saves them. Only bureaucrats do.

    2 years ago
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