WhiskeyBoarder
08-30-2006, 21:31
First, allow this minor disclaimer: a previous thread (http://www.professionalsoldiers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=3435)on this board brought the following questions and comments to mind. Understanding that this subject may have been discussed before, a search was done beforehand. All that being said, I obviously found nothing to satisfy my queries so I pose the following.
The thread mentioned above spoke about a terrorist hostage situation taking place within a school. It seemed that throughout the replies in the thread, the consensus was that the FBI’s HRT was not the most appropriate response (speaking hypothetically, of course, that we could use the military as first responders) to this sort of situation. This raised a huge question in my mind. Worse, it raised a cloud of doubt as well.
Let me continue. I tried to follow all of your responses to see exactly why the HRT would not do well in this situation. The closest I could come to a detailed response was something to the effect that the HRT “civilians” did not commit to the same oath that service men did and that they may not be so willing to give their life or make appropriate sacrifices. This makes sense… however…
This is a HOSTAGE RESPONSE unit. I mean, really, shouldn’t they contain the apex of qualifications needed to deal with exactly this situation? I ask this question understanding fully the company that I now find myself engaged. Being former military myself, I trust in the military’s elite units before most others. I also understand the pride that everyone here has for their military units. But if we can set that aside for a second, for the sake of an honest assessment, I must ask: what exactly makes the FBI’s HRT so inferior to a military unit in reference to responding to a domestic terrorist incident? All my respect and awe for each and every professional on this site aside, shouldn’t the HRT be exactly suited for a situation like the one described in the thread above… maybe even more so then the military’s best? I would think that it has to be admitted that domestic affairs aren’t the military’s specialty and, therefore, leaves room for another agency to do better.
Allow me to conclude with a few points. First, I understand that many of you may know a lot about government agencies and their specialized units organized for this sort of situation and I totally understand if you do not want to divulge what might be seen as their weaknesses (in defense of an argument as to why the military would be better suited for such duty). I can see completely how this can be a security issue. Also, I want you all to know that I ask all of the preceding for more then just reasons of passing interest. I was a former soldier and fairly successful as one. Now I am a student and probably more successful at that ;) Point being, I am studying Arabic and Mid-East culture so as to have every opportunity to be at the cutting edge of American defense upon my graduation. I want every organization, unit, and opportunity open to me. So to hear that a unit like the FBI’s HRT would fail so miserably at exactly what seems to be their job is highly disappointing given the effort that I am putting into myself to attain employment as such. If any one chooses to deviate into even greater conversation about other government CT units (other then military- although, if upon graduation, this is the most cutting edge then that option is still there for me too), that would be greatly appreciated as well.
Wow… this sure got lengthy. Gentlemen… Ladies… Thank you for your time, and I look forward to the replies.
The thread mentioned above spoke about a terrorist hostage situation taking place within a school. It seemed that throughout the replies in the thread, the consensus was that the FBI’s HRT was not the most appropriate response (speaking hypothetically, of course, that we could use the military as first responders) to this sort of situation. This raised a huge question in my mind. Worse, it raised a cloud of doubt as well.
Let me continue. I tried to follow all of your responses to see exactly why the HRT would not do well in this situation. The closest I could come to a detailed response was something to the effect that the HRT “civilians” did not commit to the same oath that service men did and that they may not be so willing to give their life or make appropriate sacrifices. This makes sense… however…
This is a HOSTAGE RESPONSE unit. I mean, really, shouldn’t they contain the apex of qualifications needed to deal with exactly this situation? I ask this question understanding fully the company that I now find myself engaged. Being former military myself, I trust in the military’s elite units before most others. I also understand the pride that everyone here has for their military units. But if we can set that aside for a second, for the sake of an honest assessment, I must ask: what exactly makes the FBI’s HRT so inferior to a military unit in reference to responding to a domestic terrorist incident? All my respect and awe for each and every professional on this site aside, shouldn’t the HRT be exactly suited for a situation like the one described in the thread above… maybe even more so then the military’s best? I would think that it has to be admitted that domestic affairs aren’t the military’s specialty and, therefore, leaves room for another agency to do better.
Allow me to conclude with a few points. First, I understand that many of you may know a lot about government agencies and their specialized units organized for this sort of situation and I totally understand if you do not want to divulge what might be seen as their weaknesses (in defense of an argument as to why the military would be better suited for such duty). I can see completely how this can be a security issue. Also, I want you all to know that I ask all of the preceding for more then just reasons of passing interest. I was a former soldier and fairly successful as one. Now I am a student and probably more successful at that ;) Point being, I am studying Arabic and Mid-East culture so as to have every opportunity to be at the cutting edge of American defense upon my graduation. I want every organization, unit, and opportunity open to me. So to hear that a unit like the FBI’s HRT would fail so miserably at exactly what seems to be their job is highly disappointing given the effort that I am putting into myself to attain employment as such. If any one chooses to deviate into even greater conversation about other government CT units (other then military- although, if upon graduation, this is the most cutting edge then that option is still there for me too), that would be greatly appreciated as well.
Wow… this sure got lengthy. Gentlemen… Ladies… Thank you for your time, and I look forward to the replies.