Arming troops at U.S. bases

Department of Defense Secretary Ashton Carter has given his authority to allow more troops to carry weapons at U.S. bases, with a focus on recruiting stations, reserve centers and other "soft" military targets.

In a memorandum released July 30, Carter gave his service chiefs and regional command heads until Aug. 21 to submit "action plans" for increased security of personnel, buildings and other physical facilities. However, Carter has decided against the idea of arming every servicemember assigned in the United States the authority to carry a firearm.

He noted in his memorandum that existing Department of Defense (DoD) policy gives commanders at U.S. installations "the option of (employing) additional armed personnel." He said Defense Directive 5210.6, issued April 1, 2011, "allows for the arming of qualified DoD personnel (not regularly engaged in law enforcement duties) based on the threat and the immediate need to protect DoD assets and lives." That directive says military personnel "shall be appropriately armed and have the inherent right to self-defense."

At the same time, however, the directive says: "Arming DoD personnel with firearms shall be limited and controlled." Attempting to balance competing needs of self-defense and safety, the policy states that "evaluation of the necessity to arm DoD personnel shall be made with the consideration of the possible consequences of accidental or indiscriminate use of those arms. However, the overriding factors in determining whether or not to arm are the mission and threat."

World War I memorial finalists announced

On Aug. 19, the World War One Centennial Commission selected five finalists to design a memorial to honor the World War I generation in the nation’s capital. The five finalists were selected from more than 350 proposals sent to the commission. The winning design will be selected in January 2016.

The finalists are: "Plaza to the Forgotten War," by Andrew Cesarz of Johnsen Schmaling Architects; "World War One Memorial Concept" by Devin Kimmel; "The Weight of Sacrifice" by Joseph Weishaar; "An American Family Portrait Wall in the Park" by Luis Collado, Jose Luis de la Fuente, Jose Luis Perez-Griffo, Ignacio Espigares, Marta Bueno and Shoko Nakamura of STL Architects; and "Heroes’ Green" by Maria Counts.

The proposed site for the World War I memorial is Pershing Park, only one block from the White House with a clear view down Pennsylvania Avenue of the U.S. Capitol.

The five finalists will now work in consultation with the commission, public agencies and other stakeholders to develop and refine their initial design concepts.

The World War One Centennial Commission was established by the World War One Centennial Commission Act, part of P.L. 112-272, passed by the 112th Congress and signed by President Barack Obama on Jan. 16, 2013. The commission is responsible for planning, developing and executing programs, projects and activities to commemorate the centennial of World War I.