The Truth About The Army's Homeland "Deployments"
October 1st, 2008 by Admin
I've gotten emails from many sources, including my father, about the decision to "deploy" Army units and assign a brigade to Northern Command. The unit will be known as the Consequence Management Response Force (CCMRF). The Army Times is the main instigator in spreading the news about this, but I've seen it on other blogs and news sources (I get Google News alerts anytime "Army" is mentioned). According to the Army Times,
Beginning Oct. 1 for 12 months, the 1st BCT will be under the day-to-day control of U.S. Army North, the Army service component of Northern Command, as an on-call federal response force for natural or manmade emergencies and disasters, including terrorist attacks.
But, that's not really what concerns most people in the emails I've received. I spoke today with Army Lt. Col. Robert Cunniff and of U.S.Northern Command's Future Operations Division, Directorate of Operations, Peterson Air Force Base, Colo. and Army Col. Lou Vogler of U.S. Army North's Future Operations Division, Directorate of Operations, Fort Sam Houston, Texas, about this very issue. I'd like to set the record straight and end the misinformation and concern out there about this.
The concern that most people I have I think comes from this excerpt in the article:
The 1st BCT’s soldiers also will learn how to use “the first ever nonlethal package that the Army has fielded,” 1st BCT commander Col. Roger Cloutier said, referring to crowd and traffic control equipment and nonlethal weapons designed to subdue unruly or dangerous individuals without killing them.
The package includes equipment to stand up a hasty road block; spike strips for slowing, stopping or controlling traffic; shields and batons; and, beanbag bullets.
I specifically asked about this point to reiterate, even though the article clearly states that the nonlethal package will not be used for domestic purposes. I think most people are missing that little one-liner. The article confuses training that the unit, like many other units within the Army, is being fielded for non-lethal means. This equipment – batons, tasers, beanbag bullets, etc – will be used in deployed, overseas environments. COL Vogler was very specific that this package "will NOT be used in homeland missions."
One thing that people need to understand is that whenever the military does anything, we always want to be safe. Naturally, our Soldiers will do what they have to in order to protect themselves while performing these missions in support of homeland agencies. I would expect that non-lethal means are used to protect our troops from dangerous or unruly Americans who just want to agitate.
Here's the bottom line about this issue. 1BCT, 3rd Infantry Division's, or CCMRF, mission is simply to provide a "capability to support civil authorities" in the event of a disaster or CBRNE (Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear and high-yield Explosive) event.
"These forces are in a federal status and will operate in strict compliance with laws and federal authorities", said Cunniff. "With the purpose of saving lives and mitigating human suffering." This assignment will NOT violate any of the provisions of the Posse Comitatus Act in any way.
The CCMRF (pronounced "sea-smurf") is not going to serve an automatic role. There are basically three ways in which this active duty Army unit will even be used: if requested by a local, state, or federal agency in response to a disaster or CBRNE event; as ordered by the Secretary of Defense after conferring with these agencies; or if ordered into service by the President.
85% of what the force will do is common to leadership and integration and standard military tasks. Coordination is being conducted across the country where incidents are more likely to occur so that local leadership and the civilian community will not be scared seeing a bunch of camouflaged troops in their town in event of a need for them.
Posted in Military Perspective
Several of "my" soldiers are in 1BCT and have been training for this. They just home from Iraq in April. And like the true professionals that they are, They will be ready to go when called. Rock of the Marne
I will never think that having the regular military deployed within our borders is a good idea. The executive orders of the last two years have set the ground work for a military "intervention" as prescribed and interpreted by the commander in chief and answerable to no one, absolute power has been consolidated. When has this ever been a good idea?
As the laws stand right now, one man can say I invoke marital law and commandeer the country bypassing and foregoing any judicial or congressional oversight. Without having to explain or a clear indication of a threat to its citizens except to "say" that a national security issue has arisen.
It sets an extremely bad precedence and mechanism for our own troops to be used against its citizens. Yes they may have "nonlethal" means to "subdue" its citizens. But now that our military can be used to quell riots or demonstrations, which was how our nation was founded and every major civil rights and liberties were won, we will see abuses of this power. Do we really have confidence in the benevolence of our leaders in Washington to act in our best interest? Huh, hello, the bailout!
The Posse Comitatus Act has been completely circumvented, even thought it still stands the executive orders of late have set very loose interpretations without oversight as to how and when federal forces can be used inside our borders.
I do not doubt the intentions of our troops, it is the consolidation of powers that I question and do not trust. As it stands right now ONE person can cease control of our government, nation and its assets in the name of national security without a damn good reason to do so.
The only way I see this as acceptable would be a scenario of regular military forces invading our country and a temporary order of command during such incursions.
The actions taken of late are permanent and set the stage for absolute control, a despot, supreme rule. The complete mechanism for rule by decree has been set.
Roman General, thank you for a very clear exposition of the State of the Union.
I fear that too many citizens of the U.S.A. are incapable of or unwilling to understand what you have described. They'll understand when they personally have their liberty and nation is taken from them. Too late, too late….
I am very worried about the health of our nation.
[...] a soldiers perspective Quote: [...]
RG,
There are a few things I need to correct you on. There are no Soldiers "deploying" to CONUS. That is a media myth that is causing all this hoopla over nothing. In order for what you present to occur, one would have to assume that most military leaders don't understand our constitutional limits with respect to our military.
If my company was called into service in the US to quell riots, police the streets, arrest citizens, raid homes, etc., you better believe I won't be a part of it. And I definitely wouldn't tell my Soldiers to do it. We aren't as blind as to follow such illegal orders and I don't think our politicians are dumb enough (yet) to even consider it. Why would they?
I have no problem going to prison for explaining to my Soldiers why certain are illegal and should not be followed. Every other leader I know feels the same way. Of course, with today's liberal judges, I'm pretty positive that even if I were wrong I'd be let off for opposing the "military industrial complex" anyway.
I, for one, am not worried about our nation. I have faith in its citizens and most of its leaders. Sure, they'll waste our hard earned money, but the American people would never stand for the kind of extreme action you speak about. What you speak out simply would not fly!
Pay attention to what I said – this unit will NOT…one more time…will NOT be using any nonlethal or lethal anything against our citizens. They are a purely reactionary force to handle mostly CBRNE incidents that local and state officials are incapable of handling. They are to ASSIST a stretched National Guard force.
RG, you really need to put down the ho-hos and conspiracy novels. What you speak about would make a great movie…but that's it.
Roman General, you are spot on in your assessment of this new development.
Semper Fi and peace…
The left keeps thinking our military is just like those in the communist countries. That is why they keep thinking we are the enemy.
Most of us who have served understand the difference. Thanks CJ for trying to point it out to the rest of them.
RG, now that you've got JD agreeing with you, you're certifiable crazy! I think you are way OFF on your assessment and the fact that JD disagrees with me speaks volumes. hehe
JD,
I thought CJ has already said that they are not deploying on the homeland. What is your point?
CJ,
Yeah, it gets quite scary when JD agrees…
That's because the soldier's will be carrying M-4s and be in full battle rattle if need be. [Freak]ing protesters, there's a time for that and that time has passed
I am a member of a CBRN Response Unit and our mission is to assist the Local and State governments in a CBRNE/WMD Attack/Terrorist Event. We are trained and capable to do our mission, without our units being "assigned" to protect our wonderful homeland we will be open to attacks of the CBRN/WMD type. I know a lot of people have this misconception that we are here to TAKE OVER during an event… know this we are assigned to SUPPURT the Local and State Governments ONLY AFTER the Gov'nor requests our help via proper channels.
Chemical Soldier, thank you so much for all you do to protect all of us. I know you do a lot of training for the inevitable, and its your time and effort so that you are ready if you are needed. You are appreciated.