Marines DISARMED for Panetta visit

[PVPuff&Stuff]

If you're disguised enough so the post won't be tied back to you....I'd love to hear what the people who are currently deployed and risking all think about this...

Marines disarmed for visit

In a sign of the nervousness surrounding the visit, Marines and other troops among the 200 people gathered in a tent at Camp Leatherneck to hear Mr. Panetta speak were abruptly asked by their commander to get up, place their weapons — M-16 and M-4 automatic rifles and 9-mm pistols — outside the tent and then return unarmed.

The commander, Sgt. Maj. Brandon Hall, told reporters he was acting on orders from superiors.“All I know is, I was told to get the weapons out,” he said. Asked why, he replied, “Somebody got itchy, that’s all I’ve got to say. Somebody got itchy; we just adjust.”
​

 

[Valsacar]

I'm prior Army, and I can tell you that there is nothing really out of the ordinary about that. When VP's, like the Secretary of Defense visit, the only people armed are those that are secret service.

 

[PVPuff&Stuff]

From reading other reports, this was actually the first time it's happened.

Just kind of rubbed me the wrong way I suppose.

 

[Mud Stuffin]

I've seen it happen before with high ranking government officials. It's a safety precaution.

 

[Eddie.Willers]

I've seen it happen before with high ranking government officials. It's a safety precaution.

It's also a sign that they don't trust the grunts who may harbor negative feelings towards authority.

 

[DJ_Kalee]

I've seen worse try civilian clothes, no weapons, and no vehicles. The only saving grace was the onboard armory of a certain plane.